Let’s discuss briefly the works of envy, shall we?
2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. 5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. Acts 17:2-5 (NKJV)
In reference to the scripture above,
Envy Can Rob You Of Your Blessings.
The unbelieving Jews were moved by envy to persecute Apostle Paul and Silas. Envy clouded their sense of reasoning and led them to renounce the gospel of Christ in spite of the eminent works God did through Apostle Paul. They rejected the gift of salvation that Apostle Paul brought to them and lost their chances of being saved. They lost their blessing.
Indeed, we envy people who have privileges that we supposedly do not have. Now, instead of humbly learning from the one who has, we cringe at their successes and hence, despise the blessing we could receive from them. Just like some of the Jews did in Acts 17.
Envy Can Cause You To Act Against God.
The Jews gathered a mob to set the city in an uproar in an attempt to attack the preachers of the gospel sent by God.
Envy, when acted upon, will cause you to work against God. You’ll find yourself acting against projects God entrusted to them; being envious of someone through whom God decides to show His Glory. These could be a work colleague, a leader in a church, an assistant in your team, a sibling, or a friend. Do not allow envy to cause you to stand against the work of God in the life of another. Hmm, do not utter profanity to whom God has blessed.
Envy Will Cause You To Sow Seeds Of Discord.
The bible said that the envious Jews stirred up some of the people who had believed, to work against Apostle Paul. Envy moved them to sow tares in the hearts of some who had believed unto disbelief.
How many times have you spoken against someone just because you thought they did not deserve the blessings God conferred on them? The works of envy are indeed evil and infinite. They rot the bones if allowed to fester and rip apart meaningful friendships if allowed to linger. God despises discord sowing amongst brethren. Be careful not to be a partaker.
So, now that you know the evil works of envy, you should learn to;
TASK 1. Rejoice Or Mourn As Required To.
Learn to be genuinely happy for the successes of others. Do not gloat over the misfortune of another. Instead, mourn empathetically with them.
TASK 2. Give Compliments.
Learn to pay compliments. Pay a compliment to that friend for her new house, to a neighbor for his new car, and so forth.
TASK 3. Be Supportive.
Help promote their businesses if you can. Be genuinely supportive in any way possible.
Task 4. Celebrate Your Milestones More.
This will help fix your eyes more on your successes and lessen your jaundiced gaze on another’s success. Your thankfulness for where you are now will ascertain your furtherance to your next level.
TASK 5. Pray About It.
I do know that this is a sure way to get supernatural aid to curb the works of envy. However, one still oughts to be thoughtfully intentional to carry out the first four tasks.
So, let’s begin. Shall we?