You are original, one of a kind, a masterpiece of the Divine. We all are even if we don’t feel or believe it. Only we can live the way we were designed. We cannot be anyone else, and no one can be us no matter how hard we try. If we do, try all that will happen is failure preceded by frustration and exhaustion. We are unique, created by God to fulfil His purposes and trying to live like someone else means we don’t fulfil our purposes and are walking in disobedience. We may share our purposes but the way we fulfil them is unique just like we are.
KEY VERSE
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 NIV
I do not say it is not good to be interested in others and admire them. In fact, we should think of others more than ourselves but sometimes and too often we fall into the nets of comparison and envy. When we envy, we start resenting ourselves and others and we need to avoid this.
The truth is that envy makes us see-through rose-tinted glasses and what we envy seems perfect which is a lie. Envy hides the truth that underneath that perfect façade is brokenness and flaws. Even if we become like the person we envy or what we have selfishly desired the satisfaction never lasts and soon envy creeps on us again. It’s an endless cycle.
Envy is dangerous, it steals our joy and causes us to miss our purpose. It blinds us to the beauty of being ourselves and the truth that God formed us with intention and care. Envy is a sin that distracts us from God and insults Him. When we envy, we are telling God He is not enough, and we need more. Envy whispers the lie that God made a mistake, and we deserve better. Envy is arrogance that leads to rebellion.
Who are we to question God and think we can do better than Him? (Romans 9:20) God knows how destructive envy can be. He made a commandment forbidding us from envy for this reason.
“Do not covet your neighbour’s house. Do not covet your neighbour’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.” Exodus 20: 17 CSB
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ENVY
God is wise to forbid us from envy, it’s more destruction has greater potential than we understand. There are four ways that envy harms us.
ENVY DENIES OUR UNIQUENESS
Not even twins are truly identical. Everyone is unique and envy blinds us to this beautiful truth and steals our value. But God wants us to be who we are and embrace our uniqueness. Every difference in us is intentional crafted with care by our Creator.
ENVY DIVIDES OUR ATTENTION
The bible tells us we cannot serve two masters. We cannot envy and be obedient to God at the same time. Envy causes us to miss out on our purposes and the work God is doing in our lives and the lives of those around us.
Envy becomes an idol; we want what we envy more than we want God. God doesn’t want us to miss out on His plan for us. He wants us to succeed in all we do and be focused on Him.
ENVY MISUSES OUR TIME AND ENERGY
It is pointless to try and achieve what we envy. It’s a cycle of discontent that wastes both time and energy.
There is only so much time on this earth why should we waste it chasing something that may never have been meant for us. We must learn to be content with who we are, with what we have and with God. It is wiser and less exhausting this way. If God wills something He will make it happen regardless of our mistakes. We must trust that He is working everything out for good.
ENVY LEADS TO OTHER SINS
Envy disturbs peace, it unleashes chaos wherever it goes.
“For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:16 CSB
Envy affects everything in us and around us in its destruction so how do we get rid of it?
STEPS TO ERADICATING ENVY
STOP COMPARISON
Comparison is how envy begins, and it is natural to us, but God warns us against it calling it foolishness (2 Corinthians 10:12).
It’s foolish because God designed us to be different from each other. Had He wanted clones He would have made us that way. Comparison will always lead to pride or envy so it’s better to stop comparing ourselves completely.
God called us to be the best we can be living true to ourselves. He doesn’t expect us to be good at everything, He just wants us to live the way He intended.
In the end we stand before the judgement seat of God, and we will be required to give an account. God won’t be asking about the kind of person we wanted to be but the person we are, our character and how we fulfilled His purposes. To be the faithful person before God that we want to be we must stop comparing ourselves with others and come to the fullness of ourselves in the identity He gave us. It will take time, and it won’t be easy, but God is faithful to help us make this change if we ask.
CELEBRATE GOD’S GOODNESS TO OTHERS
We should celebrate the success and blessings of others instead of resenting them for achieving what we have been unable to.
“When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad.” Romans 12:15 CEV
BE GRATEFUL FOR WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE
Everything we have is a gift from God, our very existence is a gift. Envy steals our joy by telling us we need more when we don’t. Happiness is a choice and if we can’t be happy with little, we won’t be happy with a lot.
It’s good to be ambitious and strive for better but not if it’s rooted in envy or selfish ambition. Our ambition should come from God and be for His glory, our motivation should not be touched by envy, or it will be wasted effort.
TRUST GOD WHEN LIFE SEEMS UNFAIR
When we feel life is unfair it’s a sign of envy. Our accusations of unfairness stem from doubt which is the real issue. When life seems unfair, we must remember the truth that no matter what we face or how difficult things get God is in control and if things are not good then God is not done working.
Envy is just a symptom of the sin within us, and we have hope because Jesus bore the punishment for our sin, and it no longer has any power over us. It is our choice whether our sin affects us. It may not feel like it in the moment, but God gave us free will to choose and we must choose to turn from sin.
Like all sin envy is a trap and it begins with comparison. Despite its destructive power we can break free from envy because Jesus freed us from sin. We must trust in the strength of our God and the Holy Spirit within us to guide us through these dark and tempting days away from the traps of sin. Envy has no claim on us, and this is one of many things to be grateful for.
The 40 days of purpose are drawing near to an end but if you would like to see it through to the end sign up to the mailing list or follow me on social media. If you want to read through the previous posts in this series you can find them in the blog post section of the site.
Wholeheartedly Faithul 
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