Motherhood
Acknowledging Our Own
Issues
Exodus 20:17
Exodus 20:17 - “You shall not
covet your neighbor’s house;
you shall not covet your
neighbor’s wife or his male
servant or his female servant
or his ox or his donkey or
anything that belongs to your
neighbor.” (NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
I.
Envy is Literally
Everywhere
II.
No Comparison
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
I.
Envy is Literally
Everywhere
Envy is so common that
we hardly notice it
anymore.
It’s been around a long
time.
Our consumer culture
thrives on envy.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
I.
Envy is Literally
Everywhere
Envy takes a variety of
forms.
Materialism.
Appearance envy.
Relational envy.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
I.
Envy is Literally
Everywhere
If it’s so common, what’s
the problem?
James 3:14-16
James 3:14-16 - 14 But if you have
bitter jealousy and selfish ambition
(or, envy) in your heart, do not be
arrogant and so lie against the
truth. 15 This wisdom is not that
which comes down from above, but
is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For
where jealousy and selfish ambition
(or, envy) exist, there is disorder
and every evil thing. (NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
I.
Envy is Literally
Everywhere
If it’s so common, what’s
the problem?
James 3:14-16
“Disorder and every evil
thing.”
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
I.
Envy is Literally
Everywhere
Solomon adds this in
Proverbs 14:30 - A tranquil
heart is life to the body,
But passion (or, envy) is
rottenness to the bones.
(NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Let’s read Mark 5:21-43
1. Notice some
similarities:
They both had a problem
they couldn’t solve.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Let’s read Mark 5:21-43
1. Notice some
similarities:
Both had taken personal
responsibility.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Let’s read Mark 5:21-43
1. Notice some
similarities:
Finally, both, in
desperation came to
Jesus.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
If you’re wrestling with
envy that is rooted in the
pain of your past, the
gospel is that you can turn
that pain over to the Lord
and begin the path of
healing.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Something we can start
not doing.
2 Corinthians 10:12
2 Corinthians 10:12 - For we are not
bold to class or compare ourselves
with some of those who commend
themselves; but when they measure
themselves by themselves and
compare
themselves
with
themselves, they are without
understanding. (NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Something we can start
not doing.
2 Corinthians 10:12
Envy begins with
comparison.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
So guard against
comparing yourself with
others as much as
possible.
Galatians 6:4
Galatians 6:4 - But each one must
examine his own work, and then he
will have reason for boasting in
regard to himself alone, and not in
regard to another. (NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Here’s what we can do.
Romans 12:15
Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those
who rejoice, and weep with those
who weep. (NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Here’s what we can do.
Romans 12:15
Rejoice and celebrate.
Even when someone gets
what you want.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Jonathan had the “right”
to envy David.
He was heir.
He expected to be
king.
But Saul sinned and
David was picked.
1 Samuel 23:17 - Thus he said to
him, “Do not be afraid, because the
hand of Saul my father will not find
you, and you will be king over Israel
and I will be next to you; and Saul
my father knows that also.” (NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Don’t we face the same
situations?
Promotions
Answered prayers
You can resent and be
disappointed.
Or you can rejoice.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Second, be careful where
you step.
Ecclesiastes 6:9 - What the
eyes see is better than
what the soul desires. This
too is futility and a striving
after wind. (NAS)
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Second, be careful where
you step.
Comparison is a game you
can’t win.
We don’t always see the
whole picture.
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Second, be careful where
you step.
If our grass isn’t green
enough, do something
about it.
Be thankful.
Then water it!
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
II.
No Comparison
Third, spend time with
grateful and joyful people.
Envy is contagious.
So is gratefulness.
Is your situation worse than hers?
Do you have more to be grateful for than
she does?
Envy is everywhere.
So are its negative consequences.
We can choose to be grateful and rejoice.
We can detox our souls from envy.