Envy – The enemy’s tool | 2021 – Year of the Lord’s Favour | Sep 19, 2021

Today again, we will continue with our ongoing series on Enemy’s weapons. We will learn today about Envy, the enemy’s weapon“, and this is going to be the Part-3 of the series.

In the past we learned about enemy’s weapon, Distraction. Let us learn how “Envy” can destroy our focus from God.

Illustration: A story is told about two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals. Both located opposite to each other’s store, however they were extremely jealous of each other. One night an angel appeared in shopkeeper’s and gave him a chance to ask for anything, further the angel added that whatever you ask, would be doubled to your competitor. So this shopkeeper asked the angel to strike one of his eye blind.

We see, rather than seeking blessing for ourselves, sometimes we tend to stay jealous from what others are receiving. Instead of having what others already have, we rather tend to prefer if they don’t have it to begin with. This is what envy does to us. We want more money, designations, things of this world, yet we are envious of others.

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

People of God, understand that envy is a weapon if satan and it can take our eyes away from God to be fixed on the things of this world.

It was envy that killed Abel. God notices all our sinful passions and discontents. There is not an angry, envious, or fretful look, that escapes his observing eye.

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:21

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Envy is demonic and envy is destructive!

What envy can do in your life? Let us learn from the followings:

There are two kinds of competitions. There is a positive one and a negative one. In positive we all stay focused and enjoy the competition. In a negative competition, it shows who we are and how worldly we are.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

We have been comparing everything with others. Be it their homes, their cars, their wealth etc. And rather than focusing on God, we have been focusing on people and thats because our eyes are fixed upon competition rather than on God. And what happens? We lose our focus and that is what enemy wants us to do.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

When you engage in slandering other person, understand that this is what envy does to us.

Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Illustration: When crabs caught by a fisherman caught in a basket, you will notice few crabs trying to climb, however other crabs will pull him down.

Illustration: Sometimes our eyes are fixed on the table next to you at a restaurant, as you believe they have ordered better food. It seems the other person has more blessings than us as we aren’t even able to enjoy our meal.

Today we need to take time and thank God and count the blessings one by one. Trust that this will surprise you beyond what you think.

Give thanks to the Lord for whatever you have otherwise envy will take your enjoyment away.

Envy will destroy and bring some limitations what we have with God.

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

When there is envy with you, you are quarreling and your focus is on the things if this world and other people. Your focus from God is lost and you will end up limiting your relationship with God.

Many people complain to pastors that the message is easy, however, understand that you are not ready for solid food. Put this in your mind that if you cannot understand fighting simple enemy’s tool such as envy, you aren’t prepared for a solid food yet.

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

There is no better way to close today’s message than by going through the following worship number by Guy Penrod…

Dear Church, don’t let the enemy rob your joy and focus from God. We need to fix our eyes upon God and say that “Lord I know that you have created me to glorify you name and for a mission. May your anointing be upon me and I rebuke any enemy’s weapon im Jesus’ name. Amen!“

We hope you are encouraged with today’s message. We look forward to see you all again next Sunday. God Bless!