What is Envy
MATTHEW 27:18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)
Many problems arise from envy.
James said, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (Jas. 3:16).
Envy and strife go hand in hand and open the door to the devil to do anything he desires, in our life.
Some people would never give place to the devil through confessing the wrong things, yet through envy, they give the enemy freedom to do his worst.
God’s kind of love is not envious or jealous because it doesn’t seek it’s own, but seeks the welfare of others.
Envy is an indication of self-centeredness.
The Lord has united every born-again Christian by baptizing us all into the body of Christ. This is already a reality. Like it or not, want it or not, every Christian is completely one in spirit with every other Christian.
Failure to function as one, in our relationships with other believers means someone is not flowing in the Spirit.
Our flesh is the part of us that gets in strife with other believers.
As we operate in the Spirit more and more, we will come more and more into unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
By staying positive and speaking words of kindness and encouragement, we will gain more ground in the war against Satan. We will build each other up and not tear each other down.
Like my mom told me, at least weekly, when I was young: “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”.
Paul gives a great tip on how to accomplish this in 2 Corinthians 10:5:“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Dear Lord, help me to be a man after Your own heart, one who speaks only what is helpful for building others up. And when I am tempted to speak unwholesome or critical words, help me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Thank You that in Your strength I will be successful because I can do all things through You Who strengthens me. AMEN!
Living in the Light
1 John 1:7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.