Overcoming Envy: Finding Contentment in God
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see all your smiling faces and to welcome those joining us online. Today, we dive into the book of James, specifically chapter 4, to explore the root causes of our conflicts and quarrels. James addresses the Jewish Christians in Asia Minor, calling out the internal battles that lead to external strife. He identifies envy as the core issue—our desire for what others have, which leads to dissatisfaction and conflict.
I shared a personal story about a family trip to Walt Disney World to illustrate how envy manifests in our lives. Just like my daughter’s relentless desire for an Icy, we often find ourselves yearning for bigger houses, better cars, or higher positions. This yearning, James tells us, is the root of our conflicts. Envy is an epidemic, fueled by a culture that constantly bombards us with images of what we lack.
James offers a solution: instead of defaulting to envy, we should bring our desires to God. However, it's crucial to check our motives. Often, we ask with selfish intentions, which is why our prayers go unanswered. True humility and pure motives are essential when approaching God with our requests.
Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. It’s about serving others and aligning our desires with God’s purpose. I shared a simple prayer to help us check our motives: "God, would you change my situation or change my heart?" This prayer can transform our perspective and align our desires with God’s will.
Finally, I emphasized the importance of encountering God daily. Regular encounters with God through prayer and scripture can combat the pervasive effects of envy. I shared my daily routine to illustrate how even in the busyness of life, we can make time for God. Encountering God destroys envy and brings us closer to Him, filling our lives with purpose and contentment.
### Key Takeaways
1. Envy as the Root of Conflict: James identifies envy as the core reason for our conflicts and dissatisfaction. Our desire for what others have leads to internal battles that manifest as external strife. Recognizing envy as an epidemic helps us understand the pervasive nature of our discontent. [39:32]
2. The Importance of Pure Motives: When we bring our desires to God, it’s crucial to check our motives. Often, our prayers go unanswered because we ask with selfish intentions. True humility and pure motives are essential for aligning our desires with God’s will. [51:24]
3. Humility in Practice: Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. Serving others and aligning our desires with God’s purpose brings about good fruit in our lives. A simple prayer, "God, would you use me today to serve or bless somebody else?" can help cultivate humility. [01:04:24]
4. Daily Encounter with God: Regular encounters with God through prayer and scripture combat the effects of envy. These daily moments shape and mold us, bringing contentment and aligning our desires with God’s will. Encountering God destroys envy and fills our lives with purpose. [01:07:27]
5. The Power of Scripture: The Word of God is a powerful tool against envy. Just as envy cuts and destroys, scripture heals and restores. Regular engagement with God’s Word allows for healing and growth, combating the destructive effects of envy. [01:14:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:03] - Introduction and Series Recap
[34:14] - Personal Story: Football and Trash Talk
[35:44] - Opening Scripture: James 4
[36:57] - Modern-Day Tensions and Conflicts
[38:09] - Externalizing Conflict
[39:32] - The Root of Conflict: Envy
[40:41] - Personal Story: Family Trip to Disney
[44:29] - Envy as an Epidemic
[45:49] - Cultural Influence on Envy
[47:09] - Illustration: The Sword of Envy
[50:12] - Solution: Bringing Desires to God
[51:24] - The Importance of Motives
[54:08] - Prayer for Pure Motives
[55:27] - Community and Envy
[56:44] - Frustration with God
[58:11] - Friendship with the World
[59:43] - Antidote for Envy: God’s Grace
[01:01:36] - True Humility
[01:04:24] - Benefits of Humility
[01:05:27] - Prayer for Humility
[01:06:23] - Drawing Close to God
[01:07:27] - Encountering God Daily
[01:11:58] - Personal Daily Devotional Routine
[01:13:17] - The Sword of Envy vs. The Word of God
[01:14:26] - Invitation to Encounter God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 4:1-3 (NIV)
> "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
2. James 4:6-8 (NIV)
> "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
3. James 4:10 (NIV)
> "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 4:1-3, what are the root causes of fights and quarrels among people?
2. What does James say about the relationship between our desires and our conflicts? ([38:09])
3. How does James describe the proper way to approach God with our desires in James 4:6-8?
4. What promise does James give to those who humble themselves before the Lord in James 4:10?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the importance of checking our motives when we bring our desires to God? ([51:24])
2. How does humility play a role in resolving conflicts and aligning our desires with God's will? ([01:04:24])
3. What does it mean to "come near to God" and how does this act combat envy according to the sermon? ([01:07:27])
4. How can regular encounters with God through prayer and scripture shape our desires and combat the effects of envy? ([01:11:58])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conflict you had. Can you identify any underlying desires or envy that contributed to it? How might you address these desires differently in the future? ([38:09])
2. When was the last time you checked your motives in prayer? How can you incorporate the prayer "God, would you change my situation or change my heart?" into your daily routine? ([54:08])
3. Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle with envy. How can you bring this desire to God with pure motives? ([51:24])
4. How can you practice humility in your daily life? Consider using the prayer "God, would you use me today to serve or bless somebody else?" and share a specific way you plan to serve others this week. ([01:05:27])
5. Describe your current routine for encountering God daily. What changes can you make to ensure you are regularly connecting with God through prayer and scripture? ([01:11:58])
6. Identify a specific distraction that prevents you from focusing on God. What steps can you take this week to minimize this distraction and draw closer to God? ([01:07:27])
7. How can you use scripture as a tool to combat envy in your life? Share a verse that you find particularly helpful and explain how you plan to meditate on it this week. ([01:14:26])
Devotional
Day 1: Envy as the Root of Conflict
Envy is a powerful emotion that can lead to significant internal and external conflicts. James identifies envy as the core reason for our dissatisfaction and strife. Our desire for what others have can create internal battles that manifest as external conflicts. Recognizing envy as an epidemic helps us understand the pervasive nature of our discontent. In a culture that constantly bombards us with images of what we lack, it’s easy to fall into the trap of envy. By acknowledging this, we can begin to address the root cause of our conflicts and seek a more content and peaceful life. [39:32]
James 4:1-2 (ESV): "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask."
Reflection: Think of a recent conflict you had with someone. Can you identify any feelings of envy that may have contributed to this conflict? How can you address these feelings and seek peace?
Day 2: The Importance of Pure Motives
When we bring our desires to God, it’s crucial to check our motives. Often, our prayers go unanswered because we ask with selfish intentions. True humility and pure motives are essential for aligning our desires with God’s will. It’s not enough to simply ask; we must also examine why we are asking. Are our requests rooted in selfish desires, or are they aligned with God’s purpose for our lives? By approaching God with pure motives, we can ensure that our desires are in line with His will and experience the fullness of His blessings. [51:24]
James 4:3 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent prayer request you made. Were your motives pure, or were they influenced by selfish desires? How can you align your requests with God’s will?
Day 3: Humility in Practice
Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. Serving others and aligning our desires with God’s purpose brings about good fruit in our lives. A simple prayer, "God, would you use me today to serve or bless somebody else?" can help cultivate humility. By focusing on others and seeking to serve, we can develop a humble heart that is aligned with God’s will. This shift in perspective allows us to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life of service and humility. [01:04:24]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Think of one way you can serve someone else today. How can you make this a regular practice in your life to cultivate humility?
Day 4: Daily Encounter with God
Regular encounters with God through prayer and scripture combat the effects of envy. These daily moments shape and mold us, bringing contentment and aligning our desires with God’s will. Encountering God destroys envy and fills our lives with purpose. By making time for God each day, we can ensure that our hearts and minds are focused on Him, rather than on the things we lack. This daily practice helps us to develop a deeper relationship with God and experience the peace and contentment that comes from being in His presence. [01:07:27]
Psalm 63:1 (ESV): "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Reflection: What is one specific time each day that you can dedicate to encountering God through prayer and scripture? How can you make this a consistent habit?
Day 5: The Power of Scripture
The Word of God is a powerful tool against envy. Just as envy cuts and destroys, scripture heals and restores. Regular engagement with God’s Word allows for healing and growth, combating the destructive effects of envy. By immersing ourselves in scripture, we can find the strength and guidance needed to overcome envy and live a life that is pleasing to God. The Word of God provides the wisdom and encouragement we need to navigate the challenges of life and remain focused on His will. [01:14:26]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: Choose a specific Bible passage to meditate on this week. How can this passage help you combat envy and align your desires with God’s will?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I think that when I analyze my own life and I look at the human experience, here's what I've come to understand. I've come to understand that there's a lot of people who are in conflict with me, okay? That whenever I'm in conflict with other people, whenever I'm in conflict with others around me, I tend to externalize it, meaning it's not my fault. It's their fault, okay? They're the reason why we're fighting. Their perspective is wrong, okay? If they just understood what I was talking about, then we wouldn't be fighting. We wouldn't be arguing with one another. Anyone else relate to that? It's always everyone else's fault, except for my own, okay?" (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Envy is an epidemic. And what you need to realize is that we live in a culture that is designed to nourish and feed the sickness of envy. You experience it every time you turn on your television. Every time you get on TikTok and on Instagram and you see influencers trying to influence you on what to buy or the kind of life you're supposed to lead. You turn on your television, okay? Do you experience envy in your life?" (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We spend so much time looking at what other people have. I mean, think about the screen time on our phones, okay? We spend three, four, five, six hours on our phones every single day. That's not crazy. Those are just the stats. That's what we do, okay? And so envy comes, and it cuts, and it rips, and it tears our heart out. And before we know it, we're so unhappy, and we're so dissatisfied." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you want to guard yourself against envy for the rest of your life, okay, the best thing you can do is you can draw close to God. You can draw close to God. Encounter. That's another word for drawing close. When was the last time you encountered the Spirit of God? Was it yesterday? How about the day before? Do you encounter God on a daily basis? Or is it just weekly when you show up here?" (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We don't need what some social media influencer is selling us on TikTok or on Instagram. We don't need what some devil is tempting us with. No, I want what the Spirit of God has for me. He knows what I want. He knows what I need. He knows what I desire. And I'm telling you this, encounter with that Spirit, that God, it destroys envy. Encounter destroys envy." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I think James begins to uncover an answer as you continue to work through what he writes. I'm going to start with James 4.2, where I left off. James says this. He says, you do not have, because you do not have, ask God. You do not have, because you do not ask God. Can I just say that this is one of my favorite concepts in all of Scripture? See, the problem is, is we default to envy instead of asking. We have an envious desire that comes up instead of bringing it to God." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When it comes to asking God for things, okay, your motives matter. When it comes to asking God for things, your motives, they really matter. Some of you are praying for more. You're praying for more provision in your life. Okay, but perhaps the reason why God hasn't honored that prayer is because you haven't been faithful with what he's already given you. Some of you are praying for relationship in your life. That's a good prayer. You should be praying about that. But the truth is, every time a significant other comes into your life, the first thing that disappears on your priority list is God." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When was the last time you checked your motives? When was the last time? And further beyond that, when was the last time when you actually stopped to check your motives? You actually came to the conclusion that you had the wrong motive. Because I've got to be honest with you, being really vulnerable, I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've checked my motives and they've been in the wrong. We just so often assume that we have the right motives. And I get it. It's hard. Motives are one of the trickiest things for me to identify in my own life." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The moments in my life where I felt the most confident, the most assured, put together as a father and as a husband and as a leader is the moments where I've been walking in the most humility. And it's hard, I know it's hard. But scripture is full of references. And ways that humility can bring about a positive impact in our life. Just a few of them, okay, when you humble yourself and serve other people, Solomon writes in Proverbs that we will be refreshed. So the more you serve other people, the more ourselves are gonna feel refreshed." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Encounter. That's another word for drawing close. When was the last time you encountered the Spirit of God? Was it yesterday? How about the day before? Do you encounter God on a daily basis? Or is it just weekly when you show up here? What does encounter look like in your life? Because I'm telling you, there's something about encounter. There's something about connecting with the living God, that same God who knew us. He knew you and I when we were being formed in our mother's womb." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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