Sermon # 39 - Eradicate Envy Series

We read in Hebrews 13:5, Don't love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, "I will never abandon you or leave you." (GW)

One of the crucial emotions that a majority of people struggle with, is that of jealousy, though many feel uncomfortable to accept this fact. If we can understand on the basis of God’s word, as to how we can deal with this strong emotion called jealousy, and conquer it, we will for sure experience tremendous changes in our lives.

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The Philistines were jealous of Isaac

We read in Genesis 26:14, “Because he owned so many flocks, herds, and servants, the Philistines became jealous of him.” (GW)

When the Philistines saw Isaac flourishing, and observed that he owned numerous flocks, herds and servants, they became envious of him. These Philistines were not paupers, but had more than enough. However, when they observed the bounteous blessings on Isaac, their hearts were filled with jealousy.

Have you noticed how, often we too have more than enough, there is no real need in our lives and yet when there is someone doing a little better than us, we are often gripped with this feeling of envy. In our culture they generally refer to a jealous person, as someone casting the envious or evil eye on someone else’s thing or property. You may have seen someone building a beautiful house, who will place a scarecrow like figure with a pot on its head for all to see, intending to ward off the evil eye of others, as they believe that the eye of envy, would have ill effects on their building plans.

It is a fact that the human nature is such that we never compare ourselves with someone who is doing not so well, but always with those who are doing far better than us. When we entertain such thoughts, we miss out on the blessings that are ours, and are filled instead with feeling of envy. No one can say I am exempt from this feeling of jealousy, because the heart of man is such that, when he considers others who are excelling in any way, his natural reaction, is to be overwhelmed with this sense of jealousy.

The secret for Isaac’s prosperity

We read in Genesis 26:12, “Isaac sowed crops in that land, and that year he harvested a hundred times as much as he had sown, because the LORD blessed him.” (GNB)

When Isaac sowed crops in the land, a land stricken with famine, he harvested a hundred times what he had sown, simply because the Lord blessed him immensely. The Philistines failed to realize that if they too worshipped the living God, and lived in obedience to Him, they too would have been blessed like Isaac.

The word of God promises in Proverbs 10:22, “the blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (ESV) It is vital that we truly desire the blessings that come from the Lord, and are satisfied with them, instead of comparing ourselves with those who are faring better than us. Jealousy is a dangerous emotion that we must be cautious about. Once jealousy takes hold, all that we possess will seem trivial, and everything that others have will seem colossal. It will rid us of the peace and joy that we could otherwise enjoy.

The ramifications of jealousy

We read in Proverbs 14:30, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”(ESV)

One of the translations says jealousy is like bone cancer, as it corrodes into the bones of a person. It is the bones that give shape to our bodies, and if the bones are not in place, we will become shapeless. That’s exactly what jealousy can do to us, it can deform our lives. However, a tranquil heart says Proverbs 14:30 will give life to the flesh. A tranquil heart refers to someone who is leading a peaceful, and normal life. While a serene person is able to discern between good and bad, a person ruled by envy has the soundness of his mind destroyed.

If we are compelled with feelings of envy, we must sincerely seek the Lord’s help, to get rid of it, and replace it with a heart of contentment. Let me give you an example from our everyday life. A family has a good television set, and are quite happy with is. One day they notice that their neighbor has bought a bigger, and better television set than the one they own. All of a sudden, the TV that they enjoyed in their home for so long, looks paltry. When envy takes control, it also does not want the other person to enjoy what they have been blessed with, but strangely seeks its ruin.