Our desires are bullies within.
Envy and Greed are bullies.
Envy: the feeling of discontentment aroused by desire for others possessions or situations.
Greed: the desire to acquire or possess more than one needs. (See James 4)
We try to accumulate possessions, power, authority. When we compare our situation with others the bullies within tell us we are not quite good enough.
Instead of rejoicing with others, we wish we were in their position.
In First Samuel 18 we see envy bullying Saul. He begins to keep a close eye on David. He is envious of the praise and adulation David receives; Saul is greedy of the throne. He is so driven by envy and greed that he determines to kill David. Envy and greed ultimately destroyed Saul.
David, too, was bullied by envy and greed. (Refer back to Second Samuel 11 and last week's message.)
--Sin will always take you farther than you want to go.
--Sin will always cost you more than you want to pay.
--Sin will stay longer than you ever planned.
OUT OF THE WAY OF DUTY; IN THE WAY OF TEMPTATION.
The problem with envy and greed is that one will never have enough.
Symptoms of the discontent of envy and greed.
1. Consistent restlessness. Underestimating the self, overestimating others.
2, Materialism. Want more of the best. Oh, the joy when others covet what you have!
3, Accumulation of debt. Results in pain and humiliation.
Many are beaten down by these three symptoms
Make a commitment to keep these three things in mind. Write them down if need be.
1. I am who I am. It is not about possessions, but about character of heart. Stop playing the comparison game.
2. I have what I have. Be content in whatsoever state you are in. (Philippians 4) To want more of what others have is to assume God made a mistake.
3. Lord, help me to give back all that I have been given. The consequence of envy and greed is to lose everything; the cure is to give it away. Watch the blessings of God flow over your life beyond measure!
Pastor Johnnie Blair
Sunday morning
5 comments:
"Our desires are bullies within."
Interesting description. I guess it depends on the desire. The desire to love God and others would probably not be characterized in that light.
KCBob, probably a good amendment for clarification.
Hmmmmm...good read today. Thank you Pastor Johnnie...and Bob Warr
Lin, good material hear. Listening to Johnnie "preach it" with the personal-experience illustrations he used was a real though-provoking experience.
Lin. Clearly "hear" jumped into the spot meant for "here." But hear may be appropriate, too, as in "heed."
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