Godly Contentment  

          Overcoming the stronghold of Envy and Jealousy:  MAIN HEALING LESSON 19

This teaching on overturning envy and jealousy is just one of the 24 lessons in our workbook for personal transformation, "Matters of the Heart."  All 24 lessons will be helpful to the person seeking restoration and freedom and have been posted on this web site. They are available as a complete set in our workbook which can be purchased as a download or ordered through the mail. The lessons are also available on CD and DVD as 24, 1/2 hour teachings. All scriptures are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.
 

Introduction

Not receiving a fullness of assurance that we are loved, that we belong and that our lives therefore hold great meaning and purpose, leaves us a prey for the undercutting work of envy and jealousy. Envy and jealousy scream out: “They are getting what I need and deserve!” Sure it is black hearted, but it is also revealing of a deep seated pain and an invisible reality. All of us have been robbed. None of us are getting what we desperately need and were meant to have. The enemy came in through Adam’s sin and stole from every child what God desired them to receive, even from the moment of conception.

We were all blocked at birth by Adam’s nature from knowing in the depth of our spirits that we are totally loved, fully forgiven, completely accepted by our Loving Father. The spiritual “umbilical cord” that was meant to connect us to God’s loving heart was severed by the Fall. This deep void cannot be fully filled even by the best of parents and leaves all of us exposed in some ways to the temptations of envy and jealousy. New birth through faith in Christ restores the missing connection, but old emotional habits are hard to break. We who believe in Christ are inheritors of riches beyond our wildest dreams (Ephesians 1:11-18; Colossians 1:12; 1 Peter 1:4). But we may still be held captive by the old feelings of deprivation and old patterns of striving to get “our fair share.”  St. Francis said, “He who has nothing can enjoy everything.” That may well be true, but only if he (or she) has dealt with the stronghold of envy and jealousy!
 

Teaching summary

Godly contentment is the opposite of envy and jealousy. Paul says that godly contentment was something that he learned—and we can too! 

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:11-12

Contentment is actually great gain—it is one thing that we can safely desire to have more of.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare… 1 Timothy 6:6-9

Envy and jealousy sow discontent
They keep us stirred up thinking about and noticing what others have and what we don’t have.  The Holy Spirit in us would have us thinking about and noticing what others don’t have (that we might pray for them or serve them) and about what we do have (that our hearts might overflow with gratitude and contentment).

Envy is destructive of our bodies
Bone marrow is crucial to a healthy immune system, but envy weakens it. On the other hand a sound heart is a grateful heart—It gives life to the body.

A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Envy is also destructive of the Body of Christ
So much strife and conflict in the church come from jealousy among the members. It is difficult for anyone to be advanced by God or to become especially gifted without envy seeking to destroy the fellowship.

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. James 4:1-2
 

Envy and jealousy grow out of three roots:
     covetousness, pride and bitterness

1) Covetousness (James 3:14-17)
To covet is to long for or lust for something that is not yours and which belongs to another (God or a person). Covetousness always wants more. It is never content with present blessings. It puts us at enmity with others and with God (James 4:1-4). 

Covetousness is idolatry
It is putting things before God. As soon as our heart covets a thing or a blessing we are putting it ahead of our relationship with Christ and so we do not receive the inheritance of the Kingdom. Its peace, joy and power are lost to us when we choose an idol rather than the Lord (Eph 5:3-5). Coveting is only focused on getting more from God.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 

2) Pride (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
Pride tries to cover over or fill in the awful sense of not really having what we needed (of love and acceptance) or of being who we ought to be.

• Pride is competitive, comparing our self with others—to feel or to prove we are better.
• Pride cares less in what it has than whether or not is has more or better things than others.
• Pride therefore wants more than others in order to be above them—and envy sets in.

3) Bitterness (James 3:14-16)
Bitterness towards others makes us resentful when they do well or receive blessings. Self-bitterness can make us feel that we haven’t received what we needed or deserved (self-pity). Either way, if bitter envy is in the heart it is something truly demonic and evil—give it no place! 
 

Beware to compare!

When we don’t get what we want and are not content to trust God’s provision for us, we may look around and compare ourselves to others—wanting what they have. Godly contentment goes right out the window. You can’t win at this: always some have less, but others have more. Trust God to be measuring out what blessings are truly right and needful for you and keep your eyes on Him.

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

Let’s get something straight. Your Father does not play favorites or show partiality (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11). The Father doesn’t even love Jesus more than He loves You!

I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:23 

Our Father is a great provider (Matthew 6:33; Psalms 37:3-5; 73:25).
Wants are the devil’s playground, but our true needs God faithfully supplies. He is our Reward! Note well: envy and jealousy will never remind you that Your Father is a great provider, so ask the Holy Spirit to keep reminding you, and run back to rest contented in Your Father’s perfect love and plans for you.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
 

What is the way out?

1) Be honest about every false or wrong desire or every twinge of envy/jealousy.
2) Realize it does not come from the true you (Christ in you).
3) Recognize it, take responsibility for agreeing with it, repent of it, renounce it.
4) Turn to Jesus and release gratitude for His love and mercy covering you.
5) Turn to the Father and express gratitude for His wise and loving provision for you.

 "Reward" yourself--
with a heart healthy dose of godly contentment!
 

Interested in going deeper?

Don't just give these truths a "head bob"!
For further study and for help working these truths into your heart and life, see Godly Contentment part 2 (Head to Heart Guide 19) and "work out" with exercises, discussion questions, review of main points, digging deeper, more scriptures, model prayers, renunciations/affirmations and practical steps of life application.

Or better yet, let us minister to you in person
     --at one of our Savannah Seminars...