Sermon on Envy | How to Overcome Envy?
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines
Sermon on Envy — Sermon outline by Tom Moore on the definition and nature of envy. Asks the question, How to overcome envy?
INTRODUCTION:
A. A person may be faithful church-goer and live a morally good life, and yet harbor enough “envy” in his heart to damn his soul
1. “Envy” is a common sin, with almost every person having some problem with this green-eyed monster at some time or another.
2. Yet, it is a seldom confessed sin!
B. “Envy” has been pictured as a devilish thing with wide ears for catching slander, with a tongue that is a serpent, and with feet standing in fire as a symbol of the wretchedness that always dogs its steps.
C. Socrates said, “Envy is the daughter of pride, the author of murder and revenge, the begetter of secret sedition, the perpetual tormenter of virtue. Envy is the filthy slime of the soul; a venom, a poison, a quicksilver, which consumeth the flesh and drieth up the bones.”
DISCUSSION: [ Discussion of this sermon on envy. ]
A. WHAT IS ENVY?
1. Envy defined:
a. Webster … “chagrin or discontent at the excellence of good fortune of another; resentful, begrudging.”
b. Etymologically the words means to look against, to eye with evil intent … Mark 7:21-22
c. Envy is the uncomfortable feeling that one experiences the advances, advantages, or good fortunes of another.
2. Illustrations of envy
a. Rachel envied Leah because she was barren and Leah was the mother of several children (Genesis 30:1)
b. Because Isaac had great amount of flocks, herds and servants, the Philistines envied him (Genesis 26:14).
c. Are we satisfied with our three bedroom house until our best friend moves into a four bedroom house? That’s envy!
d. Were you satisfied with driving your five year old car until your friend got a brand new car? That’s envy!
B. THE NATURE OF ENVY
1. James 3:14-15 … envy is devilish
2. Envy is treacherous because it can cause the righteous to envy evil doers … “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3).
3. It renders its victim miserable and unhappy
a. The elder brother was envious (Luke 15:30). Was he happy? Indeed not!
b. Envy causes discomfort at the advantages, advances and good fortunes of others.
4. Envy is likened to cancer of the bone.
a. “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).
b. As malignancy is to the bones and leprosy is to the flesh,so is envy to our spiritual being.
5. Envy is classified as being worse than wrath and anger ….. “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (Proverbs 27:4).
C. THE ASSOCIATES OF ENVY
1. In 1 Peter 2:1 “envy” is associated with malice, guile, hypocrisies and evil speakings.
2. In Galatians 5:19-21 “envy” is associated with adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like.
3. In 2 Corinthians 12:20 “envy” is associated with debates, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swelling, and tumults.
4. In 1 Timothy 6:4 “envy” is associated with strife, railings, evil surmisings, and perverse disputings.
5. In Titus 3:3 “envy” is associated with foolishness, disobedience, deception, divers lusts and pleasures, malice and hate.
6. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 “envy” is associated with strife and divisions.
7. In Romans 1:29-32 “envy” is associated with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
8. From all of this we get a glimpse of God’s estimation of the blackness of envy.
a. Many wouldn’t dare be involved in many of the sins mentioned, yet they are guilty of envy.
b. Yet, envy is just as despicable, destructive, disgraceful and soul-damning as any of the other sins we just mentioned.
Further, this sermon on envy teaches us about…
D. THE HAVOC ENVY HAS WROUGHT IN THE EARTH
1. Because of it, Cain slew Abel (1 John 3:12)
2. Because of it, the Philistines stopped Isaac’s well (Genesis 26:12-15)
3. Because of it, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery(Genesis 37:11; Acts 7:9)
4. Because of it, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebelled against Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 16:1-3)
5. Because of it, men crucified our Lord (Matthew 27:18)
6. Because of it, the apostles were cast into prison and were otherwise persecuted (Acts 5:17)
E. ENVY AT WORK IN THE WORLD
1. Members of the church can become envious of one another.
2. Preachers can become envious of one another.
3. Congregations can become envious of one another
F. GOD STRICTLY PROHIBITS ENVY
1. 1 Peter 2:1
2. Galatians 5:26
3. Romans 13:13
4. The destiny of the envious
a. Will be victims of eternal death (Romans 1:32)
b. The will miss heaven (Gal. 5:21)
G. WHAT IS THE REMEDY FOR ENVY? HOW MAY WE OVERCOME ENVY?
1. Love is the remedy.
a. Envy was born in hate, and is cured in love
b. “Love envieth not” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
c. A parent never experiences discomfort over the advantages and fortunes of their child. Why? Love!
2. Put on Christ
a. After exhorting us not to walk in envy, Paul says, “But putye on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:13-14).
b. Putting on Christ we should live as He lived
3. Grow up, deepen our spirituality, and become mature …….1 Corinthians 3:1-3
4. Walk in the Spirit
a. Envy is one of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21)
b. Galatians 5:16
5. Remember that we are members of the same body (1 Corinthians 12:26)
a. My left arm is not envious of my right because it is stronger.
b. Likewise, there should be not envy in the body of Christ
6. Be content
a. Since envy is discontent over the advantages and well being of others, to overcome this heart ailment one must needs be content with what he has, and who he is.
b. Philippians 4:11
7. Ask for God’s help
a. James 4:5-6
b. We need God’s help to overcome envy
CONCLUSION: [ End of this sermon on envy. ]
A. We can all overcome envy if we will:
1. Consider what it is
2. Consider the nature of envy
3. Consider the associates of envy
4. Consider the havoc envy has wrought on the earth
5. Consider God’s strict prohibition against envy
6. Consider the destiny of the envious
7. Apply the principles which assure us a cure
B. Invitation