MAY 15, 2022

Building Healthy Relationships
REDUCING RIVALRY IN RELATIONSHIPS

I Corinthians 13:4

I Cor. 13:4 – Love does not envy.

1. How envy ruins relationships.

It causes conflict.

James 4:1 – What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?

It kindles resentment.

Titus 3:3 – Our lives were full of resentment and envy. We hated others and they hated us. For where you find envy, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

It makes me miserable.

Prov. 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones!

2. How to overcome envy in relationships.

a. Resist comparing myself to others.

II Cor. 10:12 – We do not dare classify or compare ourselves. It is not wise.

Gal. 6:4 – Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well, and won’t need to compare himself with someone else.

b. Recognize my uniqueness.

Ps. 139:13 – You (God) created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb.

c. Rejoice in what I have.

Eccl. 6:9 – It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else.

Phil. 4:11 – I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

d. Respond to others in love.

I Cor. 13:4 – Love does not envy.

Matt. 22:39 – Love your neighbor as yourself.

Rom. 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice: weep with those who weep.

e. Refocus on pleasing God.

Col. 3:2 – Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

Pr. 23:17 – Don’t be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life. If it is, you have a bright future.

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thess. 5:21