It appears to me that Christians (and even church leaders) struggle with envy. That was the case with Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73 who said:
“For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Defining Envy: I heard someone describe envy as, “wanting someone else’s life.” When you think that through, envy is when we want someone else’s life, their church, their money, their house, and even their body. When you really think about it - envy looks ugly.
Dealing with Envy: It must be dealt with because it is one of those sins that we do not easily recognize in our lives. In fact it is far easier to see in others than to see in ourselves. It is not only hard to recognize but envy will rob you of joy for the life that you are now living. You can never be happy with what you have if you only want what someone else has. The sad reality is that what you want that someone else has really does reveal the content and character of your heart. Very subtlety we find our identity in the things that we do not have but envy in others.
Cure for Envy: Fortunately the word of God gives us great insight on how to slay the demon of envy in your life. Solomon talked about it in his instruction to his son when he said in Proverbs 23:17-18
"Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off."
Here is the truth, when you put your focus on God, and the fear of the Lord you will see where reality and satisfaction comes from. Sinners that seem to have all that you want have an end and their expectation will be cut off. That is not what happens to the child of God where our expectation will not be cut off.
This is what Asaph learned when he went quietly into the sanctuary of God in Psalm 73 and began to view life through worship. He realized that there was more to this life than what sinners enjoyed. In the life to come we are going to have a new body (better than any here), a new mansion (better than any house here), and a new life (better than the life you have now).
Learn to live satisfied with what God has given to you and draw near to Him!
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