REJECTING A GREEN CHRISTMAS (2 OF 4)
by Mike Stone
Scripture: Proverbs 16:8
This content is part of a series.
Rejecting a Green Christmas (2 of 4)
Series: The Colors of Christmas
Mike Stone
Proverbs 16:8
SYNOPSIS: This message is on the subject of envy. As the holidays can often evoke a spirit of ingratitude and covetousness, Solomon will caution us about greed.
One of the most destructive emotions of all is envy. Proverbs 27:4 says, ‘‘Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before envy?’’
Shakespeare called it ‘‘the green-eyed monster.’’ John Dryden called jealousy ‘‘THE JAUNDICE OF THE SOUL.’’ When we talk about ‘‘seeing green’’ or ‘‘killing the green-eyed monster,’’ it’s a figure of speech to describe envy, covetousness, and jealousy. Regardless of its fruit, its root is the wicked sin of ingratitude.
There is an ancient fable that Satan’s demons were trying to tempt a pastor to sin the sin of ingratitude. But try as they might, they could not get him to do it. Nothing would take away the joy in his heart. Angered by their failure, Satan stepped forward and said, ‘‘Let me show you how to do it.’’
He whispered in the holy man’s ear: ‘‘Your brother has just been made bishop of Alexandria.’’ Instantly, the smile of the preacher’s face left and his joy was gone. Satan said, ‘‘Envy is our final weapon for those who seek holiness.’’
Last week as we began our ‘‘Colors of Christmas’’ series, we talked about avoiding a Red Christmas. And I don’t know many things that will cause us to go INTO THE RED like SEEING GREEN.
1. Realize the potential for ingratitude
Jealousy, envy, covetousness and ingratitude are real problems that everyone must face and everyone must fight at some time.
Listen carefully. You can have a Christmas that is green with envy even if you don’t have to go into the red to have it. That is, just because you can afford certain things and maybe pay cash for them does not immunize you from the sin of envy. So I want every person in this room to listen carefully as you approach the Christmas holiday.
Envy is ...
Series: The Colors of Christmas
Mike Stone
Proverbs 16:8
SYNOPSIS: This message is on the subject of envy. As the holidays can often evoke a spirit of ingratitude and covetousness, Solomon will caution us about greed.
One of the most destructive emotions of all is envy. Proverbs 27:4 says, ‘‘Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before envy?’’
Shakespeare called it ‘‘the green-eyed monster.’’ John Dryden called jealousy ‘‘THE JAUNDICE OF THE SOUL.’’ When we talk about ‘‘seeing green’’ or ‘‘killing the green-eyed monster,’’ it’s a figure of speech to describe envy, covetousness, and jealousy. Regardless of its fruit, its root is the wicked sin of ingratitude.
There is an ancient fable that Satan’s demons were trying to tempt a pastor to sin the sin of ingratitude. But try as they might, they could not get him to do it. Nothing would take away the joy in his heart. Angered by their failure, Satan stepped forward and said, ‘‘Let me show you how to do it.’’
He whispered in the holy man’s ear: ‘‘Your brother has just been made bishop of Alexandria.’’ Instantly, the smile of the preacher’s face left and his joy was gone. Satan said, ‘‘Envy is our final weapon for those who seek holiness.’’
Last week as we began our ‘‘Colors of Christmas’’ series, we talked about avoiding a Red Christmas. And I don’t know many things that will cause us to go INTO THE RED like SEEING GREEN.
1. Realize the potential for ingratitude
Jealousy, envy, covetousness and ingratitude are real problems that everyone must face and everyone must fight at some time.
Listen carefully. You can have a Christmas that is green with envy even if you don’t have to go into the red to have it. That is, just because you can afford certain things and maybe pay cash for them does not immunize you from the sin of envy. So I want every person in this room to listen carefully as you approach the Christmas holiday.
Envy is ...
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