Day 3: Love does not Envy

Day 3 of 'loving intentionally' bares a bit more weight and can be a tender area for many of us. 


  Let me first begin by defining what envy is. I searched high and low for the best definition of what the scripture was talking about when it said, "love does not envy." 
    
                       Noah Webster’s Dictionary from 1828 is great at defining words in Biblical terms. So here goes...


                      Envy – Pain, uneasiness, mortification or discontent excited by the sight of another’s superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred or malignity, and often or usually with a desire or an effort to depreciate the person, and with pleasure in seeing him depressed.  Envy springs from pride, ambition or love, mortified that another has obtained what one has a strong desire to possess.


                                                                 
Now who is eager to stand up and publicly declare that they have been guilty of envy? I know that is not a line I would be eager to stand in. 


.... However, if I am honest I have been guilty many times. 


I love to speak and write. I want to learn from the best. I want to honor God and everyday become more like Him. At least that is what I tell myself when I begin to examine the lives of people who are where I want to be. 


I keep a watchful eye on the people I am trying to emulate. After all, it is good to have mentors, people who have gone before you and carved out the way. In my careful observance of their life I desire what they have and long to know where they have been.


Envy isn't always wanting what others have. 


We all want something...
             A fruitful marriage                     Prestige                     Peace
A platform to share what we're passionate about                     The record deal
                                             Kids             'The' job                  "The" life       

Fill in your own wants and desires.............................................

Now ask yourself... Am I willing to put in the work to have what I desire? 

Envy goes a step beyond. It says, "you should have all of this... their no better than you... they always get what they want.... why is life so 'easy' for them? If people only knew this about them..." 

We have all at one time or another entertained envious thoughts.  

Envy is flat out sin... To call it anything else is just pulling the wool over your eyes. It is considered one of the seven deadly sins for a reason. 

Envy is toxic! It destroys hope, it declares all out war on the plans God has for your life. 

Envy lies to us and tells us that even though the other person, couple, family has put in the time and work they still shouldn't have what they have. It deceives us and allows us to believe that we are more important and more deserving then another. Envy softly whispers in your ear that you have received a lousy deal and that other was dealt a full house. 
Envy begins to take root and crosses over into slander. When you hear that name your thoughts begin to conspire of how to reveal "the truth" about the other person. How can I make this person see how 'not so great' they really are?

The unfortunate part about 'envy' is that it only hurts ourselves. The person or persons you are after have no idea that you have a watchful eye on them. They are oblivious to your thoughts of hoping that maybe just maybe they'll fail this one time. 
The envied often understands the gravity and responsibility of having and sacrificing for what it is they have. They have every hope that you too will put in the blood, sweat and tears to live out what you personally were created for. 

The very person that you envy may be the person that you can learn from the most. That person is generally the quickest to help you up when you fall and doesn't delight in watching others bleed.  

In contrast to envy we have love...
              Love desires to see the best lived out in others lives.
                      Love cheers at the side lines as others run through the finish line.
                        Love sits at the back of the room so that someone else has a better view. 
              Love encourages, builds up, inspires and motivates. 
                      Love wants God's best.  Love hopes. Love isn't always thinking about "ME."
  
Isn't love what you are after? Life wasn't designed to meet your every need and whim. 

Do you want to really be consumed with envy every time you hear a name or see their face? 

Do you really want to keep focusing on how others aren't meeting your needs instead of pointing your efforts to be a blessing to others?

Are you sick of being so caught up in your own little world that you are missing the role God has given you to uniquely play in His big world? 

Envy does nothing but lead to death....

                  When the diagnoses of cancer is given we are quick to begin treatment. 
Will you begin treatment for your illness today? 
Will you seek restoration?

Recognize it! Confess it! And let God have all rights to it!

Will you 'love intentionally' today? Today will you speak blessing over the person that you have spoke death to in secret? 

Be free today!!! Love intentionally!!!

Challenge: Send encouragement, a card, a phone call, do something out of the ordinary for that person that you have viewed as extraordinary. Love with your actions and put action to your words. The one you have envied needs your love and support. Will you begin to love them? 

Listen again: 

5 comments:

  1. Ouch! That one hit right to the core and source of my sin.

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    1. It's an ouch for most of us. Envy is so easy to get caught up in and has a great potential to destroy. Thank you for taking the challenge.

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  2. Ok.... spankin taken!!! Good word Nic! Love you!!!!

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    1. Love you Aunt Linda. The more we can purge this stuff from our lives the closer we can walk with the Lord. Thank you for cutting out the cancer!

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  3. How blessed I am to call you friend. God is using you in a mighty have. This series is so timely for me, and so needed. Thank you for being willing to share HIS word.

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