What the Bible says about envy? – Part 2

A work of the flesh

Romans 1:29-31

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless.

Romans 13:13  

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Galatians 5:19-21

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 6:4  

He is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

Titus 3:3  

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.

The Arms of God

I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of God.  Psalm 11:1, The Message

I’ve noticed that those who serve God most joyfully are the ones who know him most personally.  Those who are quickest to speak about Jesus are those who realize how great has been their own redemption.

God is an exalted friend, a Holy Father, an elevated King.  How do we approach him—as king, as father, or as friend?  The answer:  yes! – Max Lucado