Thousands of years ago some early monastic communities known as Desert Mothers and Desert Fathers came up with the "seven deadly sins." They are all taught about and mentioned throughout scripture. Today's focus is on ENVY. Though none of us like to think of ourselves as a sinner, scripture is clear that we are ALL "sinners who fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We all need to consider the way the enemy may try to use envy in our lives. Are you willing?
Envy can be an obvious, intrusive jealousy issue, or it can be very small and subtle to where we shrug it off with "it's just the way I am" type logic. Pastor Adam talked about how he is a true Texas Tech football fan, and they are never as good as some of the other Texas college football programs (he mentioned UT and A&M specifically!), and sometimes he can feel envy about that. That is a simple example, but we can all see how it applies to other areas of life that might create problems in our lives and relationships. Comparison can be a poison in our lives that breeds discontent and envy.
Envy is a sin that keeps us from God's best for us because it distorts the reality of where God has us. We want to be some other place in life, with some other person, driving some other car, in some other part of the country, eating some other type of food, and on and on. Envy often shows up in the place where you derive your value. It could be in connection to your personal image. It could be from athletic performance. It could be from affluence. It could be from job performance. Where does envy show up in your life?
INVITATION: Where do you seek value in life these days? What situations cause you to compare? Your value was established when your life was paid for by Jesus Christ. You are chosen. Set apart. Beloved. Does envy sometimes whisper in your ear that that "is not enough?" The essence and issue of "enough" is at the root of two huge questions which play out in all areas of our lives: Is God enough? Are you enough? Does envy sometimes play a role in the answers to these questions in your life and relationship with God and others?
MONDAY: Exodus 20:17: Covet and envy are from the same source: wanting what you don't have. It is a state of dissatisfaction. What exists in your life that makes you covet or feel envious or discontent with your lot in life?
TUESDAY: Psalm 139:23-24: This is the prayer Pastor Adam is suggesting we use each week as we look at our lives in regard to these "seven deadly sins." Are you willing to allow God to search you and know you?
WEDNESDAY: Numbers 11:4-6: Moses led the Israelites out of slavery and God provided food in miraculous ways on a daily basis. Yet, they began "wailing" and wishing for what they DIDN'T have rather than staying focused on what they were being provided at the time. In these verses we see how they began to despise the Lord and actually long for the slavery they had in the past. When do you experience envy regarding things of the past? Could this be a sin that is present in your life and keeping you from God's best in the here and now? Could your focus on the past be distorting your present day reality similar to what was happening in these verses? Are you willing to ask for the Lord's insights in these areas?
THURSDAY: Romans 12:15: Pastor Adam talked about how envy destroys us and our relationships from the inside out. One way to combat this tool the enemy uses is to freely celebrate the success of others. How do you react when someone else gets something you long for or have desired? Have you ever been passed up for a raise or promotion? How did you handle it? How would you handle it today? Is this an area where you might ask Jesus to "search you and know you?"
FRIDAY: Romans 5:8: Envy can blind us to the good and trick us into only seeing flaws. Can you look past flaws and find the good in others? How can you continually remind yourself this week that God looked past your sins and flaws to call you to himself, and he continues to look past your flaws? As Pastor Adam said, "God is crazy about you!" How can that truth affect you and your attitudes and behaviors this week? How might it help with envy?
SATURDAY: John 21:20-22: "What is that to you? You must follow me." Jesus says that same thing today to you - and to me. Ask the Lord to remind you about this every time you are tempted to compare this week. Remember, comparison often leads to the sin of envy. Are you ready to root it out with the help of the Holy Spirit?