“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another…
But godliness with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction…
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice… Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD… A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones…
Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind… Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them…
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Titus 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:6-9; James 3:16; Proverbs 23:17, 14:30; Ecclesiastes 6:9; 1 John 2:15; Luke 12:15
Bible verses about envy
None of this is new.
God gives you all you need to be who He created you to be.
Do not believe the lies of the world … that you need more – than you deserve more.
Believe God.
Wanting and lusting after what others have been given takes your eyes and your heart off your blessing and leads you to destruction.
Don’t go there.
Your turn …
What is it you want or need that you don’t have?
Remember, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. And, you covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:1-3
Make sure this is not your story.
Also, learn and make this part of your life today and all your tomorrows …
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12
Come and pray …
“May my cry come before You, LORD; give me understanding according to Your Word. May my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your promise. May my lips overflow with praise, for You teach me Your decrees.
May my tongue sing of Your Word, for all Your commands are righteous. And, may Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. I long for your salvation, LORD, and Your law gives me delight.
Let me live that I may praise You, and may Your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands.”
Psalm 119:169-176
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”
Hebrews 13:5
How to do this as a weekly Bible study
Day One: Experience
Read the entire devotion. Do any verses stand out to you? If so, write it down and work on memorizing it over the week. I personally love the app “Scripture Typer.”
Day Two: Observe & Read
Chain. Look up and chain verses (For example on how to chain verses, see this video).
Day Three: Interpret
Read through the chain of verses starting with the first one. What do they say? Do you notice when it says “never” or “always” or “If, but, however, therefore, all…..”
Day Four: Application
Do “Your turn” and make a list of people that God has put on your heart when you read this.
Day Five: Testify
Who in your life, right now, can you share this with? There is somebody in your life that needs to hear this. Close your eyes. What name came to mind?
Would you like to get more involved in the beLydia Movement?
Parents and friends, there are kids being sold for sex right now and they are still going to school and their parents have no idea.
They are being tricked, (often through social media and texting apps) into sharing compromising photos and then trapped into selling more or are tricked into having sex.
WE CAN PREVENT THIS THROUGH SHARING AWARENESS.
Learn more about how you can get involved and prevent child sex trafficking
Bible verses about envy
