Envy, jealousy, or covetousness can have devastating effects. It is what led Cain to kill Abel. It is what leads to conflict at work. It’s damaging affects should lead us to ask: How do I know if I am envious?
How do we know if we are envious?
We know we are envious when:
- We can’t experience joy at the success of others.
- We think of doing something that would hinder another’s success.
- We think of doing harm to another.
- We resent the praise they receive because we think we deserve it.
How can we kill the sin of envy?
Pray – Repent and ask God to remove our envious hearts.
Remind – Remind ourselves an envious spirit births from a desire for others to praise and accept us.
Gospel – Remind ourselves we are more accepted than we could ever imagine in Christ. Man’s acceptance pale’s in comparison to the acceptance we receive from God in Christ.
Summary
By praying, reminding, and preaching the gospel to ourselves, our envious hearts can be killed. We must act fast because envy moves to anger to verbal or physical harm quickly.
Question for Reflection
- Are you envious of another?
Resource
Adapted from my sermon The Fate of Those Who Persist in Sin
Christianity Matters 
I’m pretty sure everyone is at one time or another. However, you don’t have to act on every emotion.
Kurt,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I agree we all are envious at one time or another. Yes, we don’t have to allow envy to consume us. That is my point. As soon as we sense envy in our hearts, we need to kill it. If we don’t, and we allow it to stew, it is only going to lead us down a path of further sin. So while we don’t have to act on envy, envy itself is a sin and must be dealt with.
Blessings,
Casey Lewis
I needed to read this today. I really get your devotionals.:)
Thanks for your encouragement. I am glad the post spoke to you today. The Lord is good.
Blessings,
Casey