Today we continue our study and breakdown of our anchor passage:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Focusing on how to truly love people, which is knowing how to treat everyone, we continue to the next sentence in the passage. "It does not envy,". Love does not envy.
What is envy?
Webster's dictionary defines it as, "a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck."
It also includes jealousy- hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage.
And covetousness- marked by inordinate (excessive) desire for wealth or possessions of another.
So, if we roll all 3 together, we can see what these people are trying to explain. Simply? Envy is wanting what someone else has, whether possessions, character traits, wealth, physical qualities, or whatever. Simply? A person wants what someone else has.
It's easy to see why love can have no part with envy.
For example: If you know someone who has a big house and you wish you had it, you will never be able to truly love that person because of the resentment built up in your heart against them. You resent them because they have a big, fancy house and you don't. So you will never love them like God wants you to.
Let's explore this a bit more? Why are you envious against them? Because you are unhappy with your life. You are not happy, content, or thankful for your life. So, you desire what others have because you think it will make you happy. Maybe it's deeper than that, maybe you do not love yourself. So, you think that if you had their life, then that would help you love yourself. If you lived where they live, if you had what they had, if you looked like they look, then maybe you would love yourself.
Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you don't love yourself then you can't love others.
Envy comes from a poor self-image. If you love yourself, are happy with yourself, and happy with where you are in life, then there is no need to want what someone else has. That makes it real simple. You have to love yourself and be happy with your life to eradicate envy from your life. When envy is gone, then you will not be selfish, always looking at your own wants and desires. You will be content with all you are and all you have and won't have to compare yourself with others. You won't have to prove yourself or have to have validation from others. You will begin to see those in your life and enjoy them. You will be able to celebrate others and be happy for others in your life. You'll be able to love others. So no envy!!!
NOTE: It is interesting here. I am learning that things that love is NOT, in the text, stems from selfishness. Things that love IS stems from a lack of selfishness. Just something to keep in mind as we move firward.
Now let's explore the scriptures:
Psalms 37:1 NIV
[1] Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.
Psalms 49:16 NIV
[16] Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;
Proverbs 3:31 NIV
[31] Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.
Proverbs 14:30 NIV
[30] A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 23:17-18 NIV
[17] Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. [18] There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 24:1-2 NIV
[1] Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; [2] for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.
Proverbs 24:19-20 NIV
[19] Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, [20] for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Romans 13:12-14 NIV
[12] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. [14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:25-26 NIV
[25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Titus 3:3-7 NIV
[3] At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. [4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
James 3:13-16 NIV
[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [14] But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
1 Peter 2:1 NIV
[1] Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Wow!! Those pack a punch!! Thank you God!!
Later we'll continue with love doesn't boast and is not proud. We'll dive deep into humility and pride.
Love you all dear readers,
Jeffrey Post
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