BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 37:3-4, 9-11
INTRODUCTION:
Envy comes from the Latin word: "in video" meaning to see against or look with ill mind. Jealousy involves suspicious fear or apprehension. While envy denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another (Genesis 26:14; 30:1), jealousy denotes a feeling or resentment that another has gained something one may desire (1Samuel 18:6-9).
Envy and jealousy are works of the flesh. They are traits of the Christian's former ways of life which need to be completely dealt with (Titus 3:3).
LESSON OUTLINES
- Evil effects of envy and jealousy
- How to overcome envy and jealousy
EVIL EFFECTS OF ENVY AND JEALOUSY
Envy or jealousy can deny one from inheriting the kingdom of God Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
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 who such thing will not inherit the kingdom of GodIt could lead to anger, self-destruction or divine wrath (Genesis 27:41; Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Numbers 12:5-10).
It could create an avenue of separation from God (1Samuel 18:7-10).
It could also bring about personal harm or weaken one's physical, spiritual and emotional well-being (Job 5:2; Proverbs 14:30).
It manifests the deceitfulness of sin and human immorality apart from the intervention of God's redeeming grace (Romans 1:28-32).
It could tear believers apart (Genesis 13:7-8; 1Corinthians 3:3-5).
It can degenerate to gang up against others (Daniel 6:3-4).
HOW TO OVERCOME ENVY AND JEALOUSY
- Be content with what you have (Proverbs 15:16; 1Timothy 6:6).
- Deal with the thought of envy or jealousy and do not allow it have foothold in your mind (Romans 12:2; 1Samuel 18:8).
- Let the faithful avoid the company of the ungodly people (Psalm 1:1; 2Corinthians 6:14-16).
- Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to subdue all forms of carnality by walking in the Spirit (1Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 5:16; 1Peter 2:1).
- Make the word of God your guide and the grace of God your support (Psalm 119:11, 105; Colossians 3:16).
CONCLUSION:
Whoever envies or is jealous of another confesses the superiority of that person and we do not need to be blinded by these against our own weaknesses or sins. When we understand where these feelings of discontent come from, we can learn how to deal with same in more healthy and adaptive ways.let be happy with what ever God as given to us.lives for progress of others.