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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ENVY (jealousy of another’s advantage) (02/12/15)
There are thirteen decision-making crossroads that Jesus repeatedly talked about during His ministry. Due to the fall, I inherited them and one of them is envy. It is a condition that cannot be rid of by washing my hands, going to church more, giving more to the poor or gritting my teeth and trying to power through it. Envy, along with the other twelve sins, resides in that part of me that wants no part of God's principles. It keeps its company with evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, slander, pride and foolishness. Others can tell where this stuff is coming from by the way that I use my words; the manner in which I express my thoughts and feelings. Envy unchecked will most certainly affect my conduct because it plants seeds of malice, anger and even lust.

Trying to get rid of envy by sheer willpower will only turn my focus away the genuine remedy, that of asking God to cleanse my soul. Bible talks about the heart as when Jesus said: "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man..." Jesus is speaking of that part of us that has our will and reason. The heart is the symbol of the laboratory where the rebellion again God originates. So, if I am a man who allows envy to incubate in my heart against another, soon envy will dominate my thinking.

For example let's say that you and your next door neighbor go 4-wheeling often on the weekends. Both of you go to the same church; have been Christ followers for about the same time and both own older jeeps that have seen better days. You both have dreamed of having a new Jeep. For you, the economics of buying a new jeep would not be a wise decision. The kids need dental work. As you drive into your driveway one Friday afternoon you see a shiny new Jeep parked in your neighbors drive. Your neighbor sees you pull into the drive and runs out of the house. You can tell that he is so excited with his purchase. You are shocked and a little angry. As he runs over to you, you force a big smile onto your face that is masking what is rising inside; resentment. He pulls you over to his new Jeep and talks excitedly about it. It is loaded with all of the bells and whistles you both have dreamed about only now he has the dream. "I hate him" an arrogant inner voice whispers.

Although this is a made up scenario it is all too real to life. We have a choice. When the first whispers of envy start arising in our heart we are at a crossroads. There is nothing wrong with wanting something. The wrong is when the wanting becomes jealousy. The crossroads is the perfect place to ask ourselves three questions. Do I want this thing so that I can boast that I am as good if not better than my neighbor? Do I love the desired thing more than my neighbor? Am I exhibiting the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated; love that is patient and kind? The next move is yours. Move carefully.
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This article has been read 668 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
02/19/15
Excellent job with the topic, great messages throughout this piece, great content and delivery.

God bless~
Larry Whittington
02/21/15
Good example of how envy can grow.

I would hope I could control the times when the envy would be about "little things" so I could learn to control it about big things.

Most readers can connect with what you wrote.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/21/15
This is an interesting essay. I enjoyed the first person perspective in the beginning. I could totally relate. Those feelings and thoughts are definitely not good to Harbor. Thankfully, Jesus is ready to unburden us if we only ask. Great message.
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
02/24/15
Close your eyes and open your hearts. You have expressed this topic exceptionally clear.
Sheldon Bass 
02/24/15
You certainly nailed down the topic well. And your talk here rings with honesty and truth. I do have a suggestion though which might help you deliver your great message even more powerfully. Perhaps you could take your illustration of the jeep and turn it into a fictional story where you don't actually tell us these truths, but through the story, demonstrate the outcome of envy, and then contrast it with the outcome of surrendering ourselves and the same situation to the Lord. Keep up the great work, and keep on growing with us. Blessings.