Overcoming Envy: Embracing Love and Gratitude
Summary
In our ongoing series, Love Notes, we have been exploring the profound nature of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. We have discovered that love is indeed the most excellent way to live, embodying patience and kindness. Today, we delve into another attribute of love: it does not envy. Envy, the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, can be a destructive force in our lives. It is a sin that can lead to discontentment and a lack of gratitude for the blessings we already possess.
Envy was so significant that it was labeled by the Church Fathers as one of the seven deadly sins. It can lead to the worst kinds of evil, as evidenced by the religious leaders in Jesus' time who, out of envy, plotted against Him. We are warned against envy because it can rob us of happiness, praise, and the ability to maintain healthy relationships. It can prevent us from truly loving others as God loves us.
The antidote to envy begins with surrendering our lives to Christ, not merely as believers but as disciples who follow Him as the authoritative teacher of our lives. This surrender involves trusting God's wisdom and His provision for us as heirs of His kingdom. We are co-heirs with Christ, and as such, we have an inheritance that includes every spiritual blessing. We must recognize the value of these blessings and the futility of comparing them with temporary, worldly possessions.
To combat envy, we must first surrender our lives to Christ, allowing His will to be the best thing for us. We must count our blessings, recognizing that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We must also understand that God's love for us is equal to His love for others, as demonstrated by the sacrifice of Jesus. This understanding allows us to be content and to rejoice in the blessings of others.
In conclusion, envy must be crucified in our lives, replaced by a love that seeks the best for others, spurring them on toward love and good deeds. As we gather as a church family, let us encourage one another, build each other up, and pray for those in need. Let us be a community that supports the work of the kingdom through our offerings and acts of service, reflecting the love of Christ in all we do.
Key Takeaways:
- Envy is a sin that can lead to discontentment and a lack of gratitude for the blessings we already possess. It prevents us from truly loving others as God loves us. To combat envy, we must surrender our lives to Christ and trust in His provision for us as heirs of His kingdom. [49:33]
- We are co-heirs with Christ, and as such, we have an inheritance that includes every spiritual blessing. Recognizing the value of these blessings helps us to be content and to rejoice in the blessings of others, rather than falling into the trap of envy. [56:27]
- True surrender to Christ involves trusting God's wisdom and His provision for us. It means desiring His will above all else, which destroys envy and allows us to be content with what God has given us. [57:35]
- Counting our blessings is a powerful exercise that helps us to focus on what we have in Christ, rather than comparing ourselves to others. This practice fosters gratitude and contentment, which are antidotes to envy. [58:12]
- As a church family, we are called to encourage one another, build each other up, and pray for those in need. Our gatherings should be a reflection of Christ's love, as we support the work of the kingdom through our offerings and acts of service. [01:00:48]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
2. James 3:16 - "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
3. Proverbs 14:30 - "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4, what are the characteristics of love mentioned in this verse?
2. How does James 3:16 describe the consequences of envy and selfish ambition?
3. In Proverbs 14:30, what is the contrast presented between a heart at peace and envy?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul includes "envy" as something that love does not do in 1 Corinthians 13:4? How does this align with the overall message of love in the chapter? [21:27]
2. How does the description of envy in James 3:16 help us understand the potential impact of envy on a community or church? [26:52]
3. What does Proverbs 14:30 suggest about the internal effects of envy on a person’s well-being? How might this be observed in real life? [31:06]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt envious of someone else’s success or blessings. How did that affect your relationship with that person and your own sense of contentment? [22:48]
2. The sermon mentioned that true surrender to Christ involves trusting God's wisdom and His provision for us. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God's provision in your life? [57:35]
3. Counting our blessings is a powerful exercise to combat envy. Can you list three specific blessings in your life that you are grateful for? How can focusing on these blessings help you overcome feelings of envy? [58:12]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of encouraging and building each other up as a church family. How can you actively support and encourage someone in your church or community this week? [01:00:48]
5. Envy can prevent us from truly loving others as God loves us. Think of a person you have felt envious of. What is one practical way you can show love and support to that person this week? [49:33]
6. The sermon discussed the idea of being co-heirs with Christ and recognizing the value of our spiritual blessings. How does this perspective change the way you view material possessions and worldly success? [56:27]
7. Reflect on the story of the disciples asking for the chief seats in Jesus' kingdom. How can you shift your focus from seeking positions of honor to serving others in your daily life? [45:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Envy's Destructive Power in Our Lives
Envy is a sin that can lead to discontentment and a lack of gratitude for the blessings we already possess. It prevents us from truly loving others as God loves us. To combat envy, we must surrender our lives to Christ and trust in His provision for us as heirs of His kingdom. [49:33]
"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:26 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt envious of someone else's success or possessions. How did that envy affect your relationship with that person and with God?
Day 2: Our Inheritance of Spiritual Blessings
We are co-heirs with Christ, and as such, we have an inheritance that includes every spiritual blessing. Recognizing the value of these blessings helps us to be content and to rejoice in the blessings of others, rather than falling into the trap of envy. [56:27]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Reflection: What spiritual blessings have you experienced in your life? How can you celebrate and give thanks for these blessings today?
Day 3: Trusting God's Wisdom and Provision
True surrender to Christ involves trusting God's wisdom and His provision for us. It means desiring His will above all else, which destroys envy and allows us to be content with what God has given us. [57:35]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself struggling to trust God's provision? How can you practice trusting Him more in this area?
Day 4: The Practice of Counting Our Blessings
Counting our blessings is a powerful exercise that helps us to focus on what we have in Christ, rather than comparing ourselves to others. This practice fosters gratitude and contentment, which are antidotes to envy. [58:12]
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" - Psalm 107:1 ESV
Reflection: Take some time today to list at least five blessings in your life. How does acknowledging these blessings change your perspective on your current circumstances?
Day 5: Encouraging and Building Up the Church Family
As a church family, we are called to encourage one another, build each other up, and pray for those in need. Our gatherings should be a reflection of Christ's love, as we support the work of the kingdom through our offerings and acts of service. [01:00:48]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: Who in your church community can you encourage or support this week? What specific action will you take to do so?
Quotes
- "Envy can lead to the worst kinds of evil when you let it get out of control, when you let it begin to control your thoughts and your actions." [28:55](Download | )
- "A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones... Envy can penetrate so deeply into our hearts and our minds and our lives and take over to the point that it rots us, it eats us up from the inside." [31:21](Download | )
- "Envy is destroyed with that kind of surrender to the will of God. We don't ever have to be envious of anyone else. So the first step is surrender your life to Christ." [57:35](Download | )
- "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who's blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ... Count your blessings, all of your blessings in Christ." [58:12](Download | )
- "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds... That's the way we're supposed to be living in the body of Christ, encouraging other people, building up other people, spurring other people on to good things." [01:00:48](Download | )
- "We are heirs of the kingdom of God and all that it encompasses. How much more could God do to bless us, to value us, to provide for us, than to say everything I have is yours too?" [56:27](Download | )
- "The problem with envy is it robs us from loving like God loves. It takes that ability away from us." [40:50](Download | )
- "Blowing out someone else's candle doesn't make yours shine any brighter at all. But that's what envy makes you think you need to do." [39:28](Download | )
- "If we're heirs with Christ, we've been renewed, given a new life, we now identify as children of God, and if we're children of God, we're co-heirs with Jesus, what is our inheritance? All that is God's." [56:27](Download | )
- "I want your will, Father, no matter what, in my life. I don't have to be envious of anybody else, because your will is going to be the best thing for me, whatever your will is." [57:35](Download | )
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