Harboring envy in the heart is dangerous. I'd even consider it addictive. Envy rewards its victim for advancing up its ladder of success, while simultaneously shaming them for not being good enough. Envy masquerades as a genuine desire for self-improvement; yet, behind the smoke and mirrors, it is nothing but a cycle of self-destruction.
Envy is limitless, for nothing ever satisfies an envious heart. Constant improvement isn't done for personal or spiritual growth; it's done to stay relevant in the eyes of the world: it's done to exalt oneself above others and present a facade of high worth and groundedness.
Envy consumes; it devours precious time that could be spent walking in the purpose of God, and instead, it urges the possessor to chase after useless goals. Envy is a distraction from the greater calling of God.
Over time, envy exhausts a person's spirit and eventually their entire body. Its reward system depends on praise. Compliments are sought out, but when none are given/ are directed elsewhere, envy demands the individual to push harder til the admiration of others returns. Envy gradually insists on doing more and eventually raises its expectations to limits that are not feasible and/or sustainable. Envy drives a person to compete in a race that has no finish line. The only way out is to completely abandon its frivolous pursuits or die trying to finish its unnaccomplishable tasks.
The more one understands envy, the more it shows itself as a characteristic of the Adversary.
" The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure."
John 10:10 (CJB)
Envy is a thief. When it enters our hearts, it steals our identity and ability to reason (James 3:13-16), it kills peace (Proverbs 14:30), and it destroys relationships (James 4:2–3).
An envious heart corrupts a person in numerous ways. One of those ways is through a stolen identity and a lacking ability to reason.
"Next, I realized that all effort and achievement stem from one person’s envy of another. This too is futility and feeding on wind." Ecclesiastes 4:4 (CJB)
Most of the time, envy manifests itself in unhealthy comparisons that lead to reckless ambitions. For example, Person A notices and admires a quality or object Person B possesses. But instead of rejoicing and being happy for the other, bitterness and jealousy sets in Person A's heart because now they believe their self-worth is diminished for not obtaining whatever it is Person B has.
It's thought processes like these that derail people off their God ordained path and onto a road that leads to a purpose that was never intended for them. Alongside this, instead of appreciating what God has already provided, a complaining spirit has begun taking the heart captive.
Anxiety plagues the soul of the envious one as their mind races with thoughts of not being enough. They reject the precious words of God regarding their identity and begin holding fast to the lies the world spits at them in the form of media. The further they stray away from God's will, the more frequent these negative feelings visit and the longer they stay. Instead of seeking Scripture for guidance, they seek gurus and experts on how to overcome setbacks. And instead of getting advice that stands firm, they receive suggestions that twist and bend according to the ever-changing and fickle trends of society. There is no peace or comfort in uncertainty.
"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in trust, doubting nothing; for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind. Indeed that person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord, because he is double-minded, unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-8 (CJB)
The object of a person's envy becomes a god that demands their devotion. Every waking moment is then consumed with thoughts on how to possess more. It is here where a person gradually separates themself from sound wisdom and progressively binds themself to ruthless agendas that satisfy their greed.
"No one can be a slave to two masters; for he will either hate the first and love the second, or scorn the second and be loyal to the first. You can’t be a slave to both God and money." Matthew 6:24 (CJB)
An envious person is not concerned with the things of God's kingdom. Their mind is too distracted by the beautiful highs and woeful lows of the world.
"They are headed for destruction! Their god is the belly; they are proud of what they ought to be ashamed of, since they are concerned about the things of the world." Philippians 3:19 (CJB)
Eventually, the envious person is crushed under the weight of their unrealistic expectations and strangled by strict regimens that are unhealthy to carry out long-term.
"So, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on bedrock. The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the winds blew and beat against that house, but it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the wind blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed — and its collapse was horrendous!” Matthew 7:24-27 (CJB)
Only Jesus can set an envious heart free and give it a new perspective. Through Christ, we need not worry about what the world thinks of us. Our worth is set only on what YHWH says. We are all born with unique talents, features, and characteristics, and we all go through unique challenges that give us unique qualifications for our own designated purposes. Therefore, instead of being envious of one another and trying to force our way into a role designed for someone else, let us thank God for the beauty of diversity and let us put all our focus and effort into following His will for our lives to the best of our ability.
“Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (CJB)
Envy is limitless, for nothing ever satisfies an envious heart. Constant improvement isn't done for personal or spiritual growth; it's done to stay relevant in the eyes of the world: it's done to exalt oneself above others and present a facade of high worth and groundedness.
Envy consumes; it devours precious time that could be spent walking in the purpose of God, and instead, it urges the possessor to chase after useless goals. Envy is a distraction from the greater calling of God.
Over time, envy exhausts a person's spirit and eventually their entire body. Its reward system depends on praise. Compliments are sought out, but when none are given/ are directed elsewhere, envy demands the individual to push harder til the admiration of others returns. Envy gradually insists on doing more and eventually raises its expectations to limits that are not feasible and/or sustainable. Envy drives a person to compete in a race that has no finish line. The only way out is to completely abandon its frivolous pursuits or die trying to finish its unnaccomplishable tasks.
The more one understands envy, the more it shows itself as a characteristic of the Adversary.
" The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure."
John 10:10 (CJB)
Envy is a thief. When it enters our hearts, it steals our identity and ability to reason (James 3:13-16), it kills peace (Proverbs 14:30), and it destroys relationships (James 4:2–3).
An envious heart corrupts a person in numerous ways. One of those ways is through a stolen identity and a lacking ability to reason.
"Next, I realized that all effort and achievement stem from one person’s envy of another. This too is futility and feeding on wind." Ecclesiastes 4:4 (CJB)
Most of the time, envy manifests itself in unhealthy comparisons that lead to reckless ambitions. For example, Person A notices and admires a quality or object Person B possesses. But instead of rejoicing and being happy for the other, bitterness and jealousy sets in Person A's heart because now they believe their self-worth is diminished for not obtaining whatever it is Person B has.
It's thought processes like these that derail people off their God ordained path and onto a road that leads to a purpose that was never intended for them. Alongside this, instead of appreciating what God has already provided, a complaining spirit has begun taking the heart captive.
Anxiety plagues the soul of the envious one as their mind races with thoughts of not being enough. They reject the precious words of God regarding their identity and begin holding fast to the lies the world spits at them in the form of media. The further they stray away from God's will, the more frequent these negative feelings visit and the longer they stay. Instead of seeking Scripture for guidance, they seek gurus and experts on how to overcome setbacks. And instead of getting advice that stands firm, they receive suggestions that twist and bend according to the ever-changing and fickle trends of society. There is no peace or comfort in uncertainty.
"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in trust, doubting nothing; for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind. Indeed that person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord, because he is double-minded, unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-8 (CJB)
The object of a person's envy becomes a god that demands their devotion. Every waking moment is then consumed with thoughts on how to possess more. It is here where a person gradually separates themself from sound wisdom and progressively binds themself to ruthless agendas that satisfy their greed.
"No one can be a slave to two masters; for he will either hate the first and love the second, or scorn the second and be loyal to the first. You can’t be a slave to both God and money." Matthew 6:24 (CJB)
An envious person is not concerned with the things of God's kingdom. Their mind is too distracted by the beautiful highs and woeful lows of the world.
"They are headed for destruction! Their god is the belly; they are proud of what they ought to be ashamed of, since they are concerned about the things of the world." Philippians 3:19 (CJB)
Eventually, the envious person is crushed under the weight of their unrealistic expectations and strangled by strict regimens that are unhealthy to carry out long-term.
"So, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on bedrock. The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the winds blew and beat against that house, but it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the wind blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed — and its collapse was horrendous!” Matthew 7:24-27 (CJB)
Only Jesus can set an envious heart free and give it a new perspective. Through Christ, we need not worry about what the world thinks of us. Our worth is set only on what YHWH says. We are all born with unique talents, features, and characteristics, and we all go through unique challenges that give us unique qualifications for our own designated purposes. Therefore, instead of being envious of one another and trying to force our way into a role designed for someone else, let us thank God for the beauty of diversity and let us put all our focus and effort into following His will for our lives to the best of our ability.
“Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (CJB)
. May the Lord help us all opporate in the Spirit and not in the flesh.