TOPIC: Envy Destroys
MEMORISE: A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. – Proverbs 14:30
BIBLE READING: Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
MESSAGE:
Envy is poisonous and it opens the heart to many evil things. Anyone who allows envy into his or her heart is only a few steps away from harboring many other evils. Cain did not intend to murder his brother until envy crept into his heart. They must have been very close, but the day envy crept into his heart, it opened the door to the thought of murdering his brother.
If someone is doing better than you in your class, church, or wherever you find yourself, don’t envy him or her; rather, rejoice with that fellow and learn from him or her. James 3:16 says: “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” This means that envy is a partner to strife; where they both exist, there will always be evil. This is why you shouldn’t allow any feeling of envy to linger and take root in your heart. The moment you catch yourself feeling envious of a fellow, work on your mind to expel that feeling by replacing it with joy.
Beloved, if you are always envious of other people, you can ask God to help you. Instead of being envious of someone and falling into the trap of the devil, pray for him or her.
KEY POINT:
Guard your heart against the poison called envy; it leads to destruction.
HYMN 55 – Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose
1 Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose;
Hear Thy Guardian Angel Say,
“Thou Art In The Midst Of Foes:
Watch And Pray!”
2 Principalities And Powers,
Mustering Their Unseen Array,
Wait For Thy Unguarded Hours:
“Watch And Pray.”
3 Gird Thy Heavenly Armour On;
Wear It Every Night And Day
Ambush’d Lies The Evil One:
“Watch And Pray.”
4 Hear The Victors Who O’ercame;
Still They Mark Each Warrior’s Way;
All With One Sweet Voice Exclaim,
“Watch And Pray!”
5 Hear, Above AlI, Hear Thy Lord,
Him Thou Lovest To Obey;
Hide Within Thy Heart His Word:
“Watch And Pra!.”
6 Watch, As If On That Alone
Hung The Issue Of The Day;
Pray, That Help May Be Sent Down:
Watch And Pray.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE AND PASTOR FOLU ADEBOYE