Always Abounding - Spring 2021

the evil of envy (Part 1)
by Dr. Steve Damron
Murder.
Grand
theft.
Rape. Jay
walking. Drug
trafficking.
Pedophilia.
Driving with
a blinker out.
As we read through the list, our
minds begin to categorize these
chargeable offenses as either
“bad” or “not so bad.” In our finite
minds, murder and jay walking are
not comparable crimes. Neither
is drug trafficking compared to
driving with a blinker out. In a similar
fashion, Christians weigh various
sins differently—fornication, envy,
witchcraft, or idolatry. Doesn’t envy
seem almost harmless compared
to the other three? As Christians,
we convince ourselves that some
sins are not as offensive to God as
other sins; however, we need to be
reminded about God’s view of sin.
Know ye not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves
with mankind, Nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God. And such were
some of you: but ye are washed, but
ye are sanctified, but ye are justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by
the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians
6:9-11).
Now the works of the flesh
are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft,
hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God
(Galatians 5:19-21).
But fornication, and all
uncleanness, or covetousness, let it
not be once named among you, as
becometh saints; Neither filthiness,
nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which
are not convenient: but rather giving
of thanks. For this ye know, that no
whoremonger, nor unclean person,
nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
hath any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God (Ephesians 5:3-5).
Envy causes unhappiness.
Biblically, we can trace its evil
influence even before the fall of
man. It began with Lucifer, Son of
the Morning, who was envious of
the praise that was being directed
to God. Lucifer was then able to
lead other angelic beings in this
envy. In addition, it was the sin of
envy that caused our “first” parents
to fall. The devil replaced their
happiness with envy by tempting
8 | ALWAYS ABOUNDING