IN ORDER…ENVY THE GREEN EYED TYRANT

June 28. 1 Kings 20 - 21

 

So what is your initial reaction when you find out someone has something you want or thought you deserved? Like a new house, great marriage, well-behaved kids (I know somewhere they exist) job promotion, a ministry that you wished you had or the life you wished was yours?

Do you rejoice with those who rejoice or do you instead let the green eyed tyrant of envy rise up within and control you? 

Envy is defined as "a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by another's desirable possessions or qualities, accompanied by a strong desire to have them for oneself.’

Envy will lead you to unhealthy attitudes and choices that could ruin your life. Just ask Ahab. 1 Kings 21.

He was the king of Israel he owned the majority of the land and had just about anything he wanted but one thing, his neighbor Naboth’s vineyard. So his wife Jezebel (yes the infamous) concocted a plot to set Naboth up to be murdered so her envious hubby could take his vineyard and be happy again. God was well aware of what was happening and He was not happy with Ahab. Envy cost Ahab his life, the life of his wife, and his family. 

“Envy is the art of counting your neighbor's blessings instead of your own.”

If you can’t rejoice when another is blessed, chances are you will not be blessed and in fact, may start suffering loss? You have already lost the joy of contentment. Here is a short list of what the Bible says are some of the effects of envy.

 

    Physical illness: “A tranquil spirit revives the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

    Harms your soul: “Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?” Proverbs 27:4

    Fruit of our sinful nature: “for you are still influenced by the flesh. For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced       by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people?” 1 Corinthians 3:3

    Demonic: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come           down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:14-15

 

The Lord often tests us with the promotions, blessings, and graces of others. Pass the test - you are blessed. If you don’t pass, it only gets worse and more controlling robbing you of your spiritual mental and emotional health. What job promotion or new car is worth that?

Jealousy and envy will stop when you are content with your life and can celebrate someone else’s life especially when it’s the one you think you want.

 

“Dear Heavenly Father I live in a world that is designed to make me discontented, ungrateful and envious of what others possess. Today I pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit I will genuinely rejoice in the blessings you are giving others and be grateful and content with what you have given me. Free me to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.”