ENVY-JEALOUSY

I. Examples of envy in Scripture.
Person:
Reference:
    -Cain of Abel -Genesis
    -Sarah of Hagar -Genesis 21:9-10
    -Rachael of Leah -Genesis
    -Leah of Rachael -Genesis
    -Laban’s sons of Jacob -Genesis 31:1
    -Joseph’s brothers of him -Genesis 37:4-11,19-20
    -Miriam and Aaron of Moses-Numbers 12:1-10
    -Saul of David -I Samuel 18:8,9,29; 4:4-8; 16:5-6;30:1; 30:15
Cause:
    -Abel’s offering accepted.
    -Conception of Hagar.
    -Leah had children.
    -Rachael had a son
    -Jacob’s prosperity.
    -Favorite son.
    -Moses’ Position.
    -David’s success.

II. What do we envy?
    1. Envy those who live in sinful activity. Ps 37:1; Proverbs 23:17
    2. Envy those who are prospering. Ps 37:7, 49:16; 73:3
    3. Envy those who are evil and wicked. Proverbs 24:1, 19-20
    4. Envy those who have influence spiritually. I Timothy 6:4
    5. Envy the oppressor. Proverbs 3:31
    6. Envy the foolish. Psalms 73:3

III. What warnings does the Bible give regarding envy?
    1. Do not envy those who oppress others. Proverbs 3:31
    2. Do not envy sinners. Proverbs 23:17, 24:1

    3. Envy is listed with the sins that characterize those who reject God. Romans 1:29

    4. Envy is described as being practiced by those who are carnal. I Corinthians 3:3

    5. Envy may be caused by desiring glory in possessions. Galatians 5:26

IV. What are the consequences of envy?
    1. Envy will cause your physical health to deteriorate. Proverbs 14:30

    2. Envy will cause a waste of valuable time and thought. Ecclesiastes 4:4

    3. Envy will not provide the fulfillment one seeks. Song of Sol. 8:6

    4. Envy is associated with the other sins of strife and anger. Romans 13:13; I Corinthians 3:3; II Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:19-20; Ti. 3:3; James 3:14; I Peter 2:1

    5. Envy will cause one to seek for glory that is empty. Galatians 5:26

    6. Envy will cause others to be irritated at us. Galatians 5:26

    7. Envy will lead to confusion and sinful activity. James 3:16

V. What characteristics am I to develop in the place of envy?
    1. A sound heart. Proverbs 14:30
    2. A content heart. Philippians 4:11
    3. A loving heart. Song Of Solomon 8:6; I Corinthians 13:4
    4. A honest heart. Romans 13:13-14
    5. A spiritually desirous heart. I Peter 2:1-3

(Explanation to the counselor)

I. Examples of envy in Scripture.

Usually, when a person evaluates what other’s envy, it seems rather foolish. The things we envy seem important at the time. Giving examples of men and women in the Bible, who envied others, and the cause will help them to realize that others had this same problem. It will also help them to see what we envy today may not be important to us later.

II. What do we envy?

The Bible lists a number of things that people envy. Since we face similar problems to those who lived in Bible times these verses can be used in counseling individuals who struggle with similar types of envy. Sample questions:
-Do you ever find yourself envying others who are involved in sinful activities (1,3)?
-Do you become jealous when someone else seems to prosper (2)?
-Do you envy believers who have positions of leadership and influence (4)?

III. What warnings does the Bible give regarding envy?

If a person has difficulty with envy in a specific area as described in the Bible, the verses of warning can be used to help them see what God says about their sin.

IV. What are the consequences of envy?

In order for a person to see how the sin of envy will affect them later, we can share the Scriptural conseqences. These may be used to motivate them to correct their problem.
Sample questions:
-Has anyone shared that envy, like bitterness, will cause you physical health problems (1)?
-Are you aware of how much time you spend thinking about or wanting what others have? One of the consequences is that of wasting valuable time. (2)
-Will envying another and focusing your thoughts on what they have ever provide fulfillment, or give you what they have (3,5)?
-Are you aware that envy destroys personal relationships (6)?
-Are you aware of the other sins that grow out of envy (4,7)? (strife, anger)

V. What characteristics am Ito develop in the place of envy?

In the context of the passages on envy, five guidelines are given to resolve a person' s envy. A person’s desires (heart) must be focused on the right things in life (1). ‘We must also learn to be content with what God has given to us (2). Love is another quality that will overcome envy. If we focus on loving others, we will not want what they have (3). Honesty, before others and the Lord, will overcome envy because envy is usually secretive (4). The final focus, must be on placing the desires of our heart on spiritual things and developing spiritual maturity by spending time daily in the Word (5).

Notice: These materials are not intended to take the place of professional, mental health services, but rather to provide Biblical insight and helpful resources regarding various spiritual and emotional problems.  While we are glad to offer these resources for your personal use, we encourage you to contact our pastor, Nolan Jackson, Sr., for in-depth, free, Christian Counseling. If you are interested in setting up an appointment, please call 770-786-8676 or e-mail (be sure to include contact information).

                                       Belmont Baptist Church - Pastor Nolan Jackson, Sr. - 3275 Iris Dr. - Conyers, GA  30013 - 770-786-8676