SHINNING FOREVER IN HOLINESS  - (PART 8)     

 

Memory Verse:  “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” Galatians 5: 26.

 

Bible Passage: Psalm 37: 1-2; Proverbs 3: 31-33; 22: 24-25.

 

LESSON OBJECTIVES  

We should at the end of the lesson:

i). Be able to understand and appreciate the danger of envying and the blessing of active love.

ii). Fully appreciate why a Christian should flee from anger.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

An angry man is no better than a man full of envy. Both are enemies of Christ. Sincere love and patience are called for in the Christian.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 1:ACTIVE LOVE DOES NOT ENVY.

 a). What is envy?

 It is a feeling of discontent and dissatisfaction occasioned by some other person’s good fortune or success, especially when one wishes the same thing for one self. 

See Prov. 14:30 for what envy does to the envious.

 

b). Why is envy a sin?

Because it does not spring from a heart of sincere love, Gal. 5:26.

 

c). Sometimes we see the man/woman outside of Christ prospering and doing very well. Why should a believer not envy such a person?

Quite simply the sinners ways are not God’s ways, and God says he has no prospects, Prov. 24: 1, 19-20.

 

d). Why should the Christian not envy at all?

 It leads to other sins, such as active hatred even to the point of plotting murder. See Acts 13: 45, 49-51 (Paul & Barnabas round up their stay at Antioch in Pisidia);  Acts14: 1-6 (Paul & Barnabas at  Iconium),  19-20 (later at Lystra). Trace what the spirit of envy was up to.

 

d). How can one overcome the spirit of envy?

We are to be content, be satisfied, with the position and possession God has given to us. But since we all desire progress in our lives’ endeavours, pray and wait on God’s blessings, which makes one rich without adding any sorrow to them, Prov. 10:22.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 2:ANGER IS OUTRAGEOUS – BE WARNED.

a). Why is anger defined as “a temporary madness?

Because it lacks love, and gives an opportunity for the devil, instead of the Holy Spirit to take control, Eph. 4:30-31.

 

b). What can anger lead to?

Evil plans, cruelty, acts of wickedness and revenge, murder, etc

 

c). How can anger be overcome?

i). We should be full of love for others, particularly for those of the household of faith, I John 4:7; I Cor. 13:4.

ii). We should not threaten/attempt revenge, Rom. 12:19.

iii). We are to leave all judgment to God, Prov. 29:26; Deut. 1:17.

iv). We are to separate ourselves from furious friends and their acts, Prov. 22:24-25.

v). We are to pray for the Spirit of patience, endurance and love, Prov. 16:32.

 

SUMMARY

Envy and anger are like fire extinguishers. They put out the shinning flame of a believer. Run away from them.