Saul’s focus was no longer on leading the kingdom of Israel, but on worrying about the fame of David. When our focus is on the gospel, we are not concerned about who gets the credit, but about recognizing it’s about God, for God, and by God!

 

Jealousy, covetousness, and lack of contentment all go hand in hand. It’s the heart crying out in sin believing that Jesus Christ is not enough to quench our thirst and longing in life! When depart from God’s plan, that’s where it leads. In fact God is Jealous for our envy! “For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14)

 

In the Old Testament, Israel was often compared to a Bride and God as her husband. Over and over in the Old Testament, Israel wandered from God. She envied the lives of other nations. She envied their gods and their sinful ways. She flirted with the other nations and played the harlot with other gods. In his holy jealousy, God sent her away into captivity.

 

But God promised there would be a day when Israel would return as his bride. He promised to make her pure and radiant and restore her back to him as his bride. “And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord” (Hosea 2:19–20)

 

God has fulfilled this by Jesus Christ! The cure to envy is a renewed desperation for Jesus Christ! All other energies, as good as they may be, pale in comparison, to the life-giving energies we can spend on knowing Christ, sharing Christ, and serving Christ!

 

 

When we are envious of what others have, when we desire something that doesn’t belong to us, it’s because our hearts have turned from our one true love. We think that if we just had the success, opportunities, experiences, or fortune of another, we’d be happy. In our envy, we are chasing after the inferior pleasures of this world instead of looking to Jesus. In effect, we’ve forgotten whose we are. We begin to do things that are not biblical, and out of character! Envy clouds are judgment.

 

 

Maturity in Christ means that you are more concerned with godly obedience than worldly success. How do you do that? How do you break the chains of envy?

 

-Envy flows from a lack of trust in God to meet your needs!

 

 

1. Concentrate on Your Contentment with God (Philippians 4:11-13) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
2. Have in your arsenal, verses that thrust you toward a daily contentment in Christ!
3. Preach the gospel to yourself! No one less can save you! Be content in Jesus. When everything else fades, it’s Christ that matters most!
4. Commit to find your worth in Christ, not the world (Colossians 3:1-4) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5. How? Through spiritual disciples, the Word, Prayer, Witnessing!