Envy

# 734 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

Pilate saw through the motives of the Jewish rulers for seeking the death penalty for Jesus. They were envious of His apparent acceptance by the people and of His increasing influence, which would spell doom for them and the cushy deal they had going for themselves.

The Bible warns us of this deadly emotion that often breaks out in a desire for the demise of the person you are envious of. Cain was envious of Abel. Joseph's brothers were envious of him. Saul was envious of David. See where unchecked envy leads? It leads to death!

Envy is a work of the flesh, the old nature yearns to be envious, and when we give in to it, and stay in it, we put our very salvation in jeopardy. Envyings are included in the list of damnable sins found in Ga 5. Ga 5:21 says, “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.”

It is vital to nip this sin in the bud! It was the sin that God warned Cain about, telling him that it was, “crouching at his door and that he should seek to rule over it.”

The way to rule over it is to remind yourself daily of your identity in Christ. As a child of the King you have no need to envy others, for you are rich beyond measure. Lu 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” and, Mt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Father, guard my heart against envy. Godliness with contentment is great gain.