1. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
Motherhood
Acknowledging Our Own Issues
Exodus 20:17

2. 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)

4. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
Envy is Literally Everywhere
No Comparison

5. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
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.

6. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
Envy is Literally Everywhere
Envy takes a variety of forms.
Materialism.
Appearance envy.
Relational envy.

7. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
Envy is Literally Everywhere
If it’s so common, what’s the problem?
James 3:14-16

8. James 3: 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)

9. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
Envy is Literally Everywhere
If it’s so common, what’s the problem?
James 3:14-16
“Disorder and every evil thing.”

10. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
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)

11. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Let’s read Mark 5:21-43
Notice some similarities:
They both had a problem they couldn’t solve.

12. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Let’s read Mark 5:21-43
Notice some similarities:
Both had taken personal responsibility.

13. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Let’s read Mark 5:21-43
Notice some similarities:
Finally, both, in desperation came to Jesus.

14. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
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.

15. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Something we can start not doing.
2 Corinthians 10:12

16. 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)

17. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
Something we can start not doing.
2 Corinthians 10:12
Envy begins with comparison.

18. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
What can we do about it?
So guard against comparing yourself with others as much as possible.
Galatians 6:4

19. 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)

20. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
Here’s what we can do.
Romans 12:15

21. Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (NAS)

22. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
Here’s what we can do.
Romans 12:15
Rejoice and celebrate.
Even when someone gets what you want.

23. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
Jonathan had the “right” to envy David.
He was heir.
He expected to be king.
But Saul sinned and David was picked.

24. 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)

25. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
Don’t we face the same situations?
Promotions
Answered prayers
You can resent and be disappointed.
Or you can rejoice.

26. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
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)

27. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
Second, be careful where you step.
Comparison is a game you can’t win.
We don’t always see the whole picture.

28. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
Second, be careful where you step.
If our grass isn’t green enough, do something about it.
Be thankful.
Then water it!

29. Acknowledging Our Own Issues
No Comparison
Third, spend time with grateful and joyful people.
Envy is contagious.
So is gratefulness.

30. Is your situation worse than hers?
Do you have more to be grateful for than she does?

31. Envy is everywhere.
So are its negative consequences.
We can choose to be grateful and rejoice.
We can detox our souls from envy.