Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Wisdom from Proverbs”
Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t envy evil men or desire to be with them, for their hearts plan violence, and their words stir up trouble.” Proverbs 24:1 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Envy is a sin and it is destructive.”
The dictionary tells us that envy is “Discontent and resentment aroused by desire for the possessions or qualities of another.” It’s a matter of being unhappy with what we have or with who we are, and resenting that others have what we desire for ourselves.
Envy is a tool of Satan that’s especially insidious because it is subtle, but also because it stems from a sense of having been cheated or denied something we believe ourselves to be entitled to. That then leaves us with a feeling of righteous indignation and the belief that we are right to feel envious.
Envy is a special problem for the people of God. Traditionally it has always appeared on the list of the “Seven Deadly Sins”. (This is a list compiled by the church over the centuries of the seven sins that are most problematic and destructive. They are lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, anger, envy, and pride.)
I say that envy is a special problem for God’s people for a number of reasons. For one thing, our envy can be aroused by not only physical things like money, cars, houses, good looks, etc. But it can also be spiritual in nature. We can be envious of someone else’s spiritual gifts. That then calls into question the wisdom of God for giving us the spiritual gifts we have, rather than what He has given to someone else.
Envy is also a special problem for God’s people because it detracts from thankfulness. If you’re envious of what someone else has then you’re not truly and fully thankful for what God has given you. Envy is also the opposite of contentedness. Rather than being content with what God has given you, you are secretly longing for what someone else has. Envy also steals your joy. And it also prevents you from being truly happy for the other person. You are no longer honestly able to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). And, at its worst, envy sometimes leads us to unkind or even mean-spirited conduct towards the one we are envious of.
Envy is also a problem for God’s people when it leads us, as Solomon mentions in 24:1, to be envious of evil people. This is more common than we realize. Our world is filled with rich and famous people who have achieved their wealth, fame, and celebrity by sinful means, or who use it in sinful ways. There’s nothing admirable about that and it’s inappropriate for God’s people to be envious of what they have or of who they are.
What’s the solution to envy? “Rejoice in the Lord always!” (Philippians 4:4). “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Learn the secret of being content (Philippians 4:12-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-8). And, “Rejoice with those who rejoice!” (Romans 12:15.)
Envy is a sin and it is destructive. Therefore we must fight back against it.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 