In what ways can we avoid envy as described in this verse? Verse at a Glance “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4) What Envy Is—and Why It Hurts • Envy is the restless desire for what God has entrusted to someone else. • It distracts us from gratitude (James 3:16). • It grieves the Spirit by setting our eyes on earthly measurements rather than on Christ’s sufficiency (Galatians 5:25–26). Practical Steps to Starve Envy • Celebrate God’s sovereignty – Recall that every good gift “comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). – Acknowledge that He allocates talents, resources, and opportunities according to His perfect wisdom (Matthew 25:14–15). • Practice gratitude daily – List three blessings each morning; thank God out loud (1 Thessalonians 5:18). – Keep a record of answered prayers to reinforce contentment. • Rejoice with others – Obey Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” – Verbally affirm others’ successes; doing so transforms rivals into fellow servants. • Cultivate contentment – Memorize Philippians 4:11–13; remind yourself that Christ is enough whether abounding or lacking. – Fast periodically from media that fuels comparison. • Serve the person you’re tempted to envy – Pray for their welfare (Matthew 5:44). – Offer tangible help; serving turns comparison into compassion. • Guard your thought life – Take “every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). – Replace jealous thoughts with Scripture-based affirmations. • Rest in your identity in Christ – You are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). – Your eternal inheritance is secure (1 Peter 1:3–4). Cultivating a Heart of Love Instead Love acts in the opposite spirit of envy: • It delights in another’s God-given blessings. • It seeks opportunities to bless, not to compete. • It trusts that God’s plan for each believer interlocks for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:18, 26). Scriptures to Memorize and Meditate On • Proverbs 14:30 — “A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.” • Galatians 5:22–23 — “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” • Exodus 20:17 — A timeless reminder against coveting. • Colossians 3:2 — “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Applying these practices keeps love free of envy and reflects the character of Christ to a watching world. |
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