The world has over seven billion people and all of us have different needs, personalities, talents, unique ideas, and our seasons are completely different. We might share birthdays with some people around the globe but that does not mean we will have the same outcome in life. It’s heart breaking, when people try to ensnare and pull others’ down, owing to the fact that, things are not happening in their lives. Truth be told, this is very common among us women.
Recently, I encountered such a sad scenario, where a sister girl could not celebrate another sister girl, for what God was doing in her life. She could not understand why she had a big testimony, yet she was a new believer who had a nasty past. One thing she failed to understand is, God does not open doors of opportunities depending on merits, you might think you have attained in your walk with Him to deserve a blessing . In Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
God is God all by Himself and He shows no partiality .Most of the times we sit back and assume this happens only outside the four walls of the church but interesting enough, this does happen among us believers. I came to learn getting saved is not a destination but a journey, we allow God to work in us despite our flaws.Refusing to admit you have flaws,may disqualify you from being used by God because He wants truth and not pretence .
When it comes to character, God is not after our actions but the nature of our hearts. You can pretend before men for the rest of your life, to get approval from them which is temporal but you will never pretend before God, who is a re-warder of those who diligently seek after Him and His approval is all you need. On this post, i will focus on a dangerous Spirit which is limiting a lot of people from walking into their breakthroughs “Envy”.
What is Envy??? It’s a feeling of discontentment or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions or qualities.The desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else). Most of us are struggling with different issues in life and we try to convince ourselves we are ok!!!Let me be real with you,whatever you are not willing to confront and submit it to God,it will eventually destroy you.You will never make any progress without confrontation.I simply love referring to God’s word because it will deliver to you undiluted truth, which has power to convict and transform.
Below are few illustrations, which show the dangers of embracing a heart full of envy.
1.In Genesis 37:3-11 We have Siblings rivalry deeply rooted out of envy. Joseph brothers are dangerously envious towards him. They could not stand the fact their Father favored Him nor did they understand why on Earth was God speaking to Him through dreams. Out of envy they conspired to eliminate him
2.In Numbers 16 :1-40 we have another scenario where Korah and His followers envied Moses leadership and accused Him falsely. Yet they had previously witnessed how God used Him to lead them out of Egypt.
3.In Daniel 6:3-5 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Due to envy the presidents and princes in Babylon conspired against Daniel on how they would eliminate him.
4.To crown it all in Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. We have scribes and priests who were full of envy because of what Jesus did and how He influenced people positively. They perceived themselves as the elite of God’s word. Whatever Jesus did, they were against Him and they plotted day in day out on how to excommunicate Him.
From the few bible illustrations I have listed above and there are many more, embracing a heart full of envy is a product of our carnal nature and must be overcome by the power of L-O-V-E. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Nothing beautiful was ever or will ever be birthed from a heart of envy. From the old testament, to the New Testament and even today, people who embrace an envious spirit are always busy influencing others negatively to walk in division, strife and hate. It’s funny how people can hate you because of what they heard about you, yet they are not even sure, if what they heard had any weight of truth. 1 Corinthians 3:3 For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
When a sister girl is sharing out her testimony, it’s not an opportunity for you to judge and conclude the testimony is fake or she does not deserve it. God is not a respecter of persons, He blesses whoever He desires .Job 34:19. Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands. Instead of nurturing that envious Spirit, arise and celebrate others. Having a heart that desires the best for others, you will always have a clear conscious with an assurance; God will come through for you and meet you where you are.
Take Note:-Embracing an envious Spirit towards someone, will not limit God from doing what He has planned out to do in her life, it only inhibits you from enjoying what you already have, you will end up losing your focus on God,you will be miserable and you will definitely make those around you miserable
Take Note:-Embracing an envious Spirit towards someone, will not limit God from doing what He has planned out to do in her life, it only inhibits you from enjoying what you already have, you will end up losing your focus on God,you will be miserable and you will definitely make those around you miserable
You will never see a mango tree producing an orange fruit , logic reason being, nature automatically facilitates production of an identity of the seed which was sown. You can’t nurture an envious spirit and expect good fruits after sowing discord and hatred. Whatever you think, you might benefit out of envy, you will end up losing it and the cycle will continue ,which will motivate you to do stuff which are wrong. you end up hurting people you love, nothing genuine will seem to please you because your heart is clouded with envy.
It’s my prayer that God will minister to you is a special way to embrace a heart that celebrates others .Trust me on this “the same God who came through for them is the same God who will come through for you and give you what is uniquely yours.. Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Stop wasting your precious heart with baggage that has no capacity to complete you. You were not created to have everything you think you need in life. Some stuff will destroy you, if you had what other people have. It’s much better to enjoy what you currently have than to be envious at what will never be yours..
How to Deal with Envy:-
- Stop judging yourself based on others ‘achievements and experiences.
- Focus on moving forward.
- Accept that you’ll make mistakes in life.
- Embrace your uniqueness.
- Correct thoughts that devalue yourself.
- Avoid people who habitually value the wrong things.
- Embrace a heart of gratitude.
- Acknowledge that you are valuable.
Mirror on God’s word today and choose to celebrate others.
1 Peter 2:1
So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech.
Galatians 5:24-26
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we (claim to) live by the (Holy) Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit (with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit). We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.
James 4:5-7
Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the (human) spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? But He gives us more and more grace (through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation). Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but (continually) gives (the gift of) grace to the humble (who turn away from self-righteousness).” So submit to (the authority of) God. Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you.
Galatians 5:14-15
For the whole Law (concerning human relationships) is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself (that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit).” But if you bite and devour one another (in bickering and strife), watch out that you (along with your entire fellowship]) are not consumed by one another.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant.
James 3:15-17
This (superficial) wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder (unrest, rebellion) and every evil thing and morally degrading practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure (morally and spiritually undefiled), then peace-loving (courteous, considerate), gentle, reasonable (and willing to listen), full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without (self-righteous) hypocrisy (and self-serving guile).
Choose to see the best in others by celebrating them and you will guard your heart from a life of envy which is “BONDAGE”
Choose to see the best in others by celebrating them and you will guard your heart from a life of envy which is “BONDAGE”
Moments with amazing women of God
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