Envy Kills
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Dismiss the Elective Course
Introduce the Bible Question Idea
Sermon Introduction
Proverbs 23:17 “17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.”
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
What is envy? I have a picture of it. [Slide]
What is envy?
Shakespeare dubbed it, “the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.
“We feel envy in spite of ourselves, even though we don’t want to. It’s the great unsought sin.”
envy is a mingling of a desire for something with the resentment that another is enjoying it and you are not.
jealousy is a kind of envy that is directed toward another person when they are getting affection that you wish you had.
Envy makes us miserable Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: But envy the rottenness of the bones.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: But envy the rottenness of the bones.
Have you ever felt the ache of envy?
Understanding Envy
Understanding Envy
Seen throughout Scripture
Seen throughout Scripture
Both Satan in heaven, and Eve in the garden gave in to the sin of envy. Satan wanted to be like God, and Satan’s temptation to Eve in the garden was, “You will be like God.”
Envy was part of original sin in the world, and so it’s no wonder it makes a regular appearance in the various sin lists in the Bible.
Envy draws you away from God to look for the praise that comes from other people rather than the praise that comes from God, which is the only praise that really matters. John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Seen as a wrong motive for work
Seen as a wrong motive for work
Solomon gives some wrong motives for work; envy is one.
Solomon gives some wrong motives for work; envy is one.
Labor is sometimes motivated by envy (4:4–6)
Labor is sometimes motivated by selfish greed (4:7–12)
Labor is sometimes motivated by the desire for advancement and prestige (4:13–16)
Ecclesiastes 4:4–6 (KJV 1900)
4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Seen in families
Seen in families
Genesis 37:4 “4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.”
4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Seen between co-workers
Seen between co-workers
1 Samuel 18:8-9 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? 9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? 9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
They could have said Saul and David killed their 11000s together.
They were fighting in the same battles until envy turned their attention to one another
Envy makes the achievements of others appear as a threat.
Envy makes the achievements of others appear as a threat.
ILLUS. There was once two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of the other man’s business. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival. At then end of the day they would measure their success, not by their net profits, but by weather-or-not they had made more money then the competitor across the street. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers and said, "I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?" The man frowned. He liked the idea of being rich, but hated the idea of his neighboring shopkeeper being even richer. He liked the idea of living a long and healthy life, but hated the idea of his competitor living even longer and healthier. He thought for a moment, and then said, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!"
Envy forces you to keep your eyes on others instead of God. 1 Samuel 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
"I am to love God enough to be content; I am to love men enough not to envy."
Seen in the life of the disciples
Seen in the life of the disciples
John 21:18–23 (KJV 1900)
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
Peter says “You’ve just told me I’m going to get killed. What about John? Is he going to get killed too?”
And you can see, just beneath the surface, envy in Peter’s heart. “If he doesn’t it’s not fair!” Alright, now how does Jesus deal with this?
“Envy seems to be born of a restless heart that does not find God satisfying. (or in this case Jesus answers satisfying)
Envy is a stingy and demanding master. It’s stingy because, unlike many other sins, there’s absolutely nothing pleasurable about experiencing it. Most sins bait the hook: lust offers excitement and escape, greed promises wealth and pleasure, gossip promises power and participation in the inner circle. And many sins are at least temporarily pleasurable (that’s why we do them).
But with envy, it’s all hook and no bait. There’s no upside to envy, not even a small or temporary spike of guilty pleasure. That’s why no one consciously plans or schemes to envy (as you might plan to satisfy a lustful desire). We feel envy in spite of ourselves, even though we don’t want to. It’s the great unsought sin.
Envy is also terribly demanding. Although it delivers nothing, it requires much. It can absorb and dominate a life. It can poison pleasures and steal joys and waste time. Envy can make your own blessed life feel shabby and inadequate. It is, in fact, one of the sins that presents the most obvious affront to the sovereignty of God; it questions God’s plans, choices, and goodness. Envy is rebellion. - Stephen Witmer
Envy is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, and is often accompanied by other sins
Envy is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, and is often accompanied by other sins
James 3:14–16 (KJV 1900)
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
“Envy questions God’s plans, choices, and goodness. Envy is rebellion.”
The Godly Man’s Picture, the Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, “A humble man is willing to have his name and gifts eclipsed, so that God’s glory may be increased. He is content to be outshone by others in gifts and esteem, so that the crown of Christ may shine the brighter. . . A humble Christian is content to be laid aside if God has any other tools to work with which may bring him more glory.”
What are some of the symptoms of envy?
What are some of the symptoms of envy?
Do not be envious of the mischievous person.
Proverbs 24:8 “8 He that deviseth to do evil Shall be called a mischievous person.”
8 He that deviseth to do evil Shall be called a mischievous person.
Proverbs 24:1–2 (KJV 1900)
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, Neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, And their lips talk of mischief.
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, Neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, And their lips talk of mischief.
Why should we not envy sinners?
Why should we not envy sinners?
Three times in these 30 sayings a warning is given against being envious of the wicked. 23:17; 24:19; 3:31
Proverbs 24:1 Be not thou envious against evil men, Neither desire to be with them. Why?
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, Neither desire to be with them.
1. Their future is bleak. Proverbs 23:17-18 Let not thine heart envy sinners: But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. 18 For surely there is an end; And thine expectation shall not be cut off.
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. 18 For surely there is an end; And thine expectation shall not be cut off.
2. They have a promised outcome Proverbs 24:19-20 Fret not thyself because of evil men, Neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The candle of the wicked shall be put out.
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, Neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The candle of the wicked shall be put out.
Galatians 5:21 (KJV 1900)
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Envy is the result of unbelief, so fight it accordingly.
Envy is the result of unbelief, so fight it accordingly.
Proverbs 23:17 “17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.”
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
Psalm 37:1–7 (KJV 1900)
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
What is the opposite of envy?
What is the opposite of envy?
Opposite of love is not hate but indifference.
We can learn a great deal about a word by the contrast.
Trust is the opposing side of envy
Fight Envy Like King David Did
Fight Envy Like King David Did
Trust in the Lord
Trust in the Lord
Psalm 37:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Promise made upon trusting.
Promise made upon trusting.
Psalm 37:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
“enjoy security,”
“feed on faithfulness.”
Brings delight.
Brings delight.
Psalm 37:4 “4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Instead on envy in the heart.
Trust (v.3)
delight
commit
Trust again (v5)
You do not want to be in their shoes, they will wear out.
You do not want to be in their shoes, they will wear out.
Psalm 37:2 (KJV 1900)
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
Psalm 37:9 (KJV 1900)
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
New Testament
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
God will vindicate.
God will vindicate.
Psalm 37:6 (KJV 1900)
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday.
Psalm 37:9 (KJV 1900)
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:11 (KJV 1900)
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
One of the things that lies behind envy oftentimes is the feeling that things aren’t going as well as they ought to go.
God works for those who wait on Him Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, Neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, What he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, Neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, What he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
A life of envy is a life of confusion and sin.
A life of envy is a life of confusion and sin.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Those who envy are those who must carry their God
Those who envy are those who must carry their God
Isaiah contrasts Jehovah with the Babylonian gods
Bel and Nebo are the Jupiter and Mercury of Babylon, and they are as helpless as their falling images. They have to be carried.
Their subjects have to work for them. But the Lord of Israel is the Creator, and he does the carrying.
Isaiah 46:1–4 (KJV 1900)
1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, Their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: Your carriages were heavy loaden; They are a burden to the weary beast. 2 They stoop, they bow down together; They could not deliver the burden, But themselves are gone into captivity. 3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, Which are borne by me from the belly, Which are carried from the womb: 4 And even to your old age I am he; And even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, Their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: Your carriages were heavy loaden; They are a burden to the weary beast.
2 They stoop, they bow down together; They could not deliver the burden, But themselves are gone into captivity.
3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, Which are borne by me from the belly, Which are carried from the womb:
4 And even to your old age I am he; And even to hoar hairs (gray headed) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
At moments where you are tempted to envy. Trust. God will carry you through that moment of temptation.
When love comes in the front door, it'll push envy out the back. When envy comes in the front door, it'll push love out the back. But when you rekindle God's love in your heart, God's love will be so overwhelming that envy won't be able to exist in the environment. - David Jeremiah