Sermons

The Rotten Effects of Envy

Green with Envy

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. (Prov 14:30)

Envy is insidious in its behavior.

Envy compares. “If I come out on top, I feel pride; if you come out on top, I feel envy.”

Envy competes: “You have or are what I don’t have or am not, and I have to change that.”

Envy exposes: “This is what I really want even more than I want God.”

Envy acts out: “If I can’t… I would rather mourn your success and rejoice in your pain.”

Envy destroys joy, love, and gratitude.

“Envy is the great leveler. If it cannot level things up, it will level them down. Rather than have anyone happier than itself, it will see us all miserable together.” (Dorothy Sayers)

Envy is always selfish.

Envy keeps score.

Envy exalts me to the center of everything.

Envy leads to spiritual disaster.

Thank God that he has provided an antidote for the rotten effects of envy.

  • Envy is a sin that can be purged from my heart (1 Pet 2:1)
  • Envy is a work of the flesh that can be put to death (Gal 5:19-26)
  • God provides hope to the envious through Jesus Christ (Titus 3:3-7)
  • Love is the God-shaped antidote for envy (Matt 22:36-40)

This sermon was delivered on December 7, 2014.

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