Envy
Envy is a wickedness that torments the envious, and we should flee from it as we would flee from a cruel adversary.
Thomas Brooks warns against the destructive nature of envy, describing it as a torment that gnaws at the soul and likening it to poison, a serpent, and a scourge. He emphasizes that envy is not only foolish but also a groundless wickedness that corrupts and destroys one's inner peace. Brooks urges listeners to flee from envy as they would from a deadly adversary, recognizing that being envious of others' blessings only leads to personal torment. He highlights the absurdity of turning the goodness of God towards others into our own suffering, urging a shift in perspective towards gratitude instead.
Text
It is the justice of envy to torment the envious.
Therefore, shun it as you would poison in your food,
or a serpent in the way. A man were better off having
a serpent tumbling up and down in his bowels, than
to have envy gnawing in his soul.
Envy is as pernicious a wickedness, as it is a
foolish and a groundless wickedness. Envy is . . .
a scourge to scourge the soul;
a serpent to sting the soul;
a poison to swell the soul;
a saw to saw the soul;
a moth that corrupts the soul,
a canker that eats up the soul.
Therefore flee from envy, as you would flee from
the most cruel and destroying adversary!
To be envious, because God is bountiful to others;
to frown, because God smiles upon others; to be
bitter, because God is sweet in his dealings with
others; and to sigh, because God multiplies favors
and blessings upon others; what is this but to turn
others' good into our own hurt, others' glory and
mercy into our own punishment and torment?
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Envy points: - Envy is a wickedness that torments the envious - Envy is a scourge to the soul
- The Dangers of Envy points: - Envy is a serpent that stings the soul - Envy is a poison that swells the soul
- The Consequences of Envy points: - Envy turns others' good into our own hurt - Envy turns others' glory and mercy into our own punishment
- The Call to Flee from Envy points: - Flee from envy as you would flee from a cruel adversary
Key Quotes
“A man were better off having a serpent tumbling up and down in his bowels, than to have envy gnawing in his soul.” — Thomas Brooks
“Envy is a scourge to scourge the soul; a serpent to sting the soul; a poison to swell the soul; a saw to saw the soul; a moth that corrupts the soul, a canker that eats up the soul.” — Thomas Brooks
“Flee from envy, as you would flee from the most cruel and destroying adversary!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should shun envy as we would poison or a serpent, and flee from it as we would flee from a cruel adversary.
- Envy turns others' good into our own hurt, and others' glory and mercy into our own punishment.
- We can avoid envy by recognizing its dangers and consequences, and fleeing from it.