A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 27:12
Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous. Proverbs 27:4
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30
“ENVY IS RESENTING GOD’S GOODNESS IN OTHER’S LIVES AND IGNORING GOD’S GOODNESS IN MY OWN LIFE.” CRAIG GROESCHEL
Cain envied Abel… Genesis 4:5
Jacob envied Esau… Genesis 25 & 27
Rachel envied Leah… Genesis 30:1
Leah envied Rachel… Genesis 30:15
The brothers envied Joseph… Genesis 37:5
Saul envied David… 1 Samuel 18:7-9
Chief priests envied Jesus… Mark 15:10
Lucifer envied God… Isaiah 14:13-14
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
“It is hard to learn from experience when we are not looking inward, at the true cause.” Robert Greene
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33
For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11
WE ARE ALL UNIQUELY DIFFERENT, BUT WE ARE ALSO VERY MUCH ALIKE.
1. WE ALL HAVE THE SAME ENEMY.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world… Ephesians 6:12
THE DEVIL’S GOAL IS TO DIVIDE US, AND SOME OF HIS FAVORITE WEAPONS ARE JEALOUSY & ENVY.
Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. Luke 11:17
I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge…. he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:4-5;9
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15
2. WE ALL NEED GRACE.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13
WE ARE JUST IMPERFECT PEOPLE TRYING TO REPRESENT A PERFECT GOSPEL.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24
3. WE ALL NEED SUPPORT.
All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude…For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:7;10-12
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 1 Corinthians 12:26
4. WE ALL ARE GIFTED.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. Romans 12:6
So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:12-14
GOD IS LESS CONCERNED WITH OUR TALENTS AND MORE CONCERNED WITH OUR IMPACT.
5. WE ALL ACCOMPLISH MORE TOGETHER.
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:8-11
“…One man will chase a thousand… two put ten thousand to flight…” Deuteronomy 32:30
WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!
TAKE HOME
HELP OTHERS BECOME BLESSED.Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38
RECOGNIZE YOUR BLESSINGS.Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
…Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit…Titus 3:3-5
