Struggling with Jealousy? It rots your bones, according to Proverbs, but there's hope...
June 18, 2017 Speaker: Gibson Largent Series: Summer Psalms and Proverbs
Passage: Psalm 14:30
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Main Point:
Your faith in Jesus saves you from the destructive effects of jealousy and envy
Main Text:
Proverbs 14:30 - [30] A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. (ESV)
Introduction:
- The destructiveness of envy
- A top 10 list
- Jonathan Akin - “in our own lives our jealousy of others can lead to [1] depression, [2] low self-esteem, [3] anger, [4] bitterness, and other issues.”
- I would add to his list the following destructive attitudes and behaviors
- 5. Jealousy steals joy and peace (tranquility)
- 6. Jealousy keeps you from obeying the command to rejoice with others (Romans 12:15 - “Rejoice with those rejoice, weep with those who weep.”)
- 7. Jealousy fosters an environment of resentment
- 8. Jealousy breeds discontentment and prevents gratitude
- 9. Jealousy causes a negative spirit by devouring positive pure thinking
- 10. Jealousy robs you of productivity with every moment you are mentally tied up dwelling on what or who you don’t have
- How have you seen jealousy ruin you?
- What have you found helps in minimizing the destructive effects of envy/jealousy?
- Main Points (Outline adapted from "Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Proverbs" by Danile L. Akin and Jonathin Akin):
- Envy is deadly because it hurts you
- Envy is deadly because it hurts the people around you
- Envy is deadly because it will be judged by God
- Think about what led the religious leaders to crucify Jesus, it was envy
- Matthew 27:18 - For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
- Mark 7:22 - coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
- Mark 15:10 - For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.
- Think about what led the religious leaders to crucify Jesus, it was envy
- Faith in Jesus will save you from envy
Application
- This battle begins with your heart and is fought in your mind
- Envy is a sin to be confessed and repented of
- Limit your interaction with things that provoke envy
- Help your children recognize envy and give them tools to counter jealous thoughts
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