In the form of a noun, envy is defined as, "a
feeling
of
discontent
or
covetousness
with
regard
to
another's
advantages,
success,
possessions,
etc." Depending on the circumstance from where the "feeling" arises, it is much more than just a "feeling." It is a strong desire, or perhaps a heart-pounding, bleeding, all-consuming desire. This kind of "fire" that burns within us, unless it is for God's purpose, is not from God. It is another tool in the devil's toolbox to attempt to disrupt and destroy.
In an age where "keeping up with the Joneses" has become more prevalent than ever, it pays large dividends to check-in with ourselves; to take a personal inventory to see where we are. It does not have to be about things of monetary value. We can desire to have "the most perfect family," or the "most beautiful wife." Be extremely mindful; envy, has been the ruination of many. Many marriages, many families, many careers, many homes and many people.
To desire another's possessions, is something Christians are called not to do. "You shall not covet," is the 10th Commandment.
Exodus 20:17 (NIV) reads, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
So how do we combat such a powerful force? How do we keep evil from stealing our joy? The answer, my friend, is contentedness. We need to be absolutely grounded in the idea that we have exactly what we are suppose to have, and to be satisfied with it. All things come from God. They are not our resources, they are His. What we are called to do, is to be good stewards. To prayerfully consider what God wants us to do with what He has given us. We all know they saying, "You can't take it with you," after all.
Let's reshape how we feel about what God has given us, starting with the foundation of contentedness. Make your own checklist. Just a few simple items that you are thankful for. I still have my mother and father, two brothers and two nephews, my wife and her two sons and my mother-in-law. This is just immediate family. I have a safe home to leave in the morning and to return to in the evening. I have a car, and I get to go to work. My wife has a job that she enjoys. We have health insurance for when we are sick. We have enough food on the table to keep our strength. We are able to tithe; the very act for which we are called to give; the "first fruits" of our labor. We are loved.
It is easy for me to think that all of you reading my short list above would wholeheartedly agree, and be able to make a similar list to mine above. However, beyond the basic--and most important--items on our list, where do we get lost? How is it that we take the most important blessings for granted? In just family and health, we are richly blessed.
To revert back to the very first move of the pencil in our list, our foundation if you will, let's look at a simple word that is grossly overlooked in society at large: humility.
Humility is defined as, "the quality or condition of being humble, modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc."
Some related words include: lowliness, meekness, obedience, reserve, servility and subservience.
The question becomes, "How do I see myself?"
Starting by seeing yourself in God's image is the beginning of humility.
What we are going to do in this chapter is turn envy on it's head. We are going to do a complete one hundred-eighty degree turn. We are going to take what is not of God, so we can recognize fault in our thinking, and redirect it back to God's will; keeping us in line with the Spirit.
Paul was anything but humble. He scorned people who talked about Jesus, spoke against the Christian faith and even killed others who believed in Jesus. But a monumental transformation was about to happen on the road to Damascus. God had earmarked Saul the martyr, for Paul the apostle.
We see this transformation in Acts 9. Here is the the Word to from Acts 9:1-19, where Paul regains his sight and strength.
Acts 9: 1-19 reads:
"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
"Yes, Lord," he answered.
The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priest to arrest all who call on your name."
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
This is perhaps the most critical and monumental transformation of character in the Bible. God didn't give Paul a small task. His charge was not going to be an easy, walk-through-the-park journey. But a complete transformation had to take place. And it did; just as God had designed. I wasn't by chance. It wasn't by circumstance. It wasn't just cause and effect. God had a specific plan, for a specific purpose, and it was only that man that could fulfill God's purpose.
Go back above and read verses 11 - 19 of Acts 9. Jesus commanded the disciple Ananias to "Go to the house of Judas, to ask for Saul and that Ananias would find him praying. Saul had seen Ananias in a vision, said the Lord.
Ananias replied back to God about what he had heard about Saul to the Lord in verses 13-14.
But the Lord was firm. He was certain and unwavering. This decision was made long before in history. The Lord says, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel." We see, decisively, by reading verses 15-16 that Saul is chosen.
In the same way, you and I are God's chosen people. We have each been given a divine task by the Lord. It is a task that only we are equipped for. He has already given us the skills. He has already given us the ability. He has already given us the knowledge. What is required of us, is that we seek Him!
Remember Matthew 6:33 which reads, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
And then Matthew 7:7 which says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you."
The type of envy that draws you to others--whether it be their looks, their possessions, their abilities--is not from God or of God. We are each uniquely and personally qualified for the task He has for us. There is no one like you; in the sight of God's divine purpose for our lives.
