Envy
Ex 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Pr 23:17,18 "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."
Envy is characteristically of the world. Prior to salvation Paul describes our natural condition where "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." Tit 3:3
The poor envy the rich, and the rich envy the richer, and no one thinks anything wrong of such desires. But God says that envying your neighbor is itself sin. It doesn't even require any action for it to be sin. One will be judged just for being envious - just for having the attitude.
Thus Paul warns, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 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." Gal 5:19-21
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
Ex 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Pr 23:17,18 "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."
Envy is characteristically of the world. Prior to salvation Paul describes our natural condition where "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." Tit 3:3
The poor envy the rich, and the rich envy the richer, and no one thinks anything wrong of such desires. But God says that envying your neighbor is itself sin. It doesn't even require any action for it to be sin. One will be judged just for being envious - just for having the attitude.
Thus Paul warns, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 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." Gal 5:19-21
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
