People want sound hearts today they are heart conscious – but often they don’t realize that a sound heart also involves not being envious – envy is the rottenness of the bones and it will destroy you, not the person against whom you are envious – all of the points below involve rottenness of the bones.

Envy provokes:

Rejection of the Gospel – (Acts 13:45) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.  This is what the orthodox are doing in Romania like in Brasov – Acts 17:5 – what provokes Muslims to martyr Christians – they can’t stand to see the people they control go over to the liberty and joy of the gospel – they lose control of them then.

Church splits and divisions – (Phil 1:15) Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: – Jas 3:14, 16 – This happens in church splits and competitions among churches – mud slinging to get or keep a following.

Worldliness in Christians – (Psa 37:1) A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  Envy causes many a Christian to return to the world – Ps 73:3 – if they can have those lovely things and do those fun things why can’t we?

Covetousness – (Gen 26:14) For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. – Ecc 4:4 – Keeping up with the Joneses – desiring another person’s failure because they are more blessed than you.

Hatred and Murder – (Prov 27:4) Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?  Matt 27:18 killed Jesus, Acts 7:9 sold Joseph, Ps 106:16 turned from Moses [tried to take away his lead]

Solution – 1 Cor 13:4 charity