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Envy in it's simplest form is jealousy. The word of God says Love does not envy. (1 Corinthians 13:4) Love does not resent or is not jealous when someone else is promoted or blessed. Those that do not envy are willing that others should be placed above them. Envy is not grieved because another possesses a greater portion of earthly, intellectual or spiritual blessing. Those who have this pure love rejoices as much at the happiness, blessing and good will of others as they do in their own. To envy is to feel uneasy, mortified or discontentment at the happiness of others. A man may be envied because he is happy while we are miserable, well while we are sick, cherished while we are neglected, successful while we fail, pretty or handsome while we are mediocre, promoted while we are overlooked, has better things than we do, has more favor than us, better at doing certain things than we are. Envy most times lie along the lines of things we like or want for ourselves. A position or looks. Even a person that we may want for ourselves. A woman can envy another who has children while she herself doesn't (Genesis 30:1) Envy often goes hand in hand with self-pity. We sometimes envy people because they seem to be more blessed by God than we think we are. We can envy people because they have better clothes, car and more money than we do.

But what are the consequences of envy? Envy is not a small sin. Cain murdered Abel because of envy. (Genesis 4:38). Envy of his brothers resulted in Joseph being enslaved.(Genesis 3:7,11 and Acts 7:9) Envy put Jesus on the cross. (Matthew 27:18 and Mark 15:10) The word of God says that envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30) Some translations say causes cancer or dry bones. It also says in James 3:16 that where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil work is there. So this tells me that envy(jealousy) can make me sick, and that it opens the door for the devil to bring in every evil work he wants too. Think about that. Think about the evil works you don't like and won't no part of. This is a way they get in. Galatians 5:21 says that envy is a work of the flesh. Which is the opposite of godly love and walking in the spirit.

So what would be the answer to getting rid of envy? First , you have to recognize that you have it. Second, you go to the answer, the word of God and see what the One who has all the answers has to say! One thing He says is love does not envy, so that tells me that if I have God's love in me I can resist it! He says walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.(Galatians 5:16) How do we walk in the spirit? Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ(2 Corinthians 10:5) What so ever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, any virtue, praise THINK on these things. (Philippians 4:8) If then you were raised with Christ SEEK THOSE THINGS which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MIND on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2) These are just a few scriptures that you can fight the flesh with. Start here and meditate on these things and actively resist the envy thoughts when they come and replace them with what God says. You can and will have victory in this area, maturing in Christ and in His love.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Origin Of Nations