*** Give Solomon’s
words concerning the over powering strength of envy.
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to
stand before envy?” Prov. 27:4.
*** What Scripture
shows the exceeding cruelty of jealousy?
“Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are
coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” Song of Solomon 8:6.
*** What striking
illustration do we find of this?
“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one and slew his brother.
And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil and his
brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12.
*** Can a man be a
murderer in spirit?
“Whosoever hateth his
brother is a murderer.” 1 John 3:15.
*** Give other
circumstances where men have been controlled by an envious spirit, and
state the result.
“And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into
Egypt.” Acts 7:9. “But when the Jews saw the multitudes,
they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which
were spoken by Paul, contradicting
and blaspheming.” Acts 13:45.
*** What is the
condition of things where envy reigns?
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every
evil work. ” James 3:16.
*** What effect does
envy have upon its possessor?
“For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the
silly one.” Job 5:2. “A sound heart is the life of the flesh:
but envy, the rottenness of the bones.” Prov. 14:30.
*** Show the
persistency of those who are actuated by envy.
“Full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers,
...who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such
things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have
pleasure in them that do them.” Rom. 1:29-32.
*** How free from
malice should the child of God be, even toward an enemy?
“Rejoice not when
thine enemy falleth, and let not o thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.” Prov. 24:17. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44.
*** Will any be saved
who retain the spirit of envy in the heart?
“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal. 5:21.
*** Is this sentence
just?
“But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to
truth against them which commit such things.” Rom. 2:2.
*** What is the
fountain from which both good and evil spring?
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth
that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is evil.” Luke 6:45.
*** Then why should the
heart be watched closely?
“Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the
issues of life.” Prov. 4:23.