7 Deadly Sins 07
November 20, 2022

7 Deadly Sins - #7 Envy

I Samuel 18:5-16 (NLT)

7 Deadly Sins 07 | Mick Veach | Lead Pastor | first aired on 11.20.2022

I. Introduction

Read Scripture
5 Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.

6 When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals.[a] 7 This was their song:

“Saul has killed his thousands,

 and David his ten thousands!”

8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

10 The very next day a tormenting spirit[b] from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, 11 and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.

12 Saul was then afraid of David, for the LORD was with David and had turned away from Saul. 13 Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle.

14 David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle. —I Samuel 18:5-16 (NLT)
A. Definitions of Envy

  1. It always sees and desires what it doesn’t have and it will never have what it sees
  2. It is the desire to have the achievements, or possessions of another person that we feel are missing in our life
  3. It is the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage by another person that you lack or want what they have

B. What is the difference between envy and jealously?

  1. Envy—desires to have what we don’t have but another does
  2. Jealously—is wanting to hold unto what you already have and are fearful of losing what you feel is valuable

C. Remember your identity in Christ from Ephesians 1

D. What does the Bible say about the sin of envy?

  1. Exodus 20:17—You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife and cattle
  2. Galatians 5:26—Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another
  3. James 3:14—But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth
  4. I Corinthians 13:4—Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy
  5. I Peter 2:1—Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy and envy…
  6. Proverbs 14:30 —A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones
  7. Psalms 106:16 —In the camp they grew envious of Moses and Aaron, who was consecrated to the Lord

II. Lessons learned from Saul regarding Envy

A. We must

Reveal Answer
God’s Creation as Good


  1. Genesis says after God completed his creation, he declared it was good
  2. Saul was blessed beyond measure but he never saw it
  3. Saul never saw himself as a good enough creation thus he was on a journey for the unattainable
  4. The enemy will always bring people into your life that will appear to have it better than you.
  5. Matthew 25:14-30—being ok with the talents given you
  6. James 1:17—tells us that every gift is from God and you are a gift from God just the way you are.
  7. I Corinthians 12—We are all parts of the body, necessary for the body to function in a healthy way
  8. Do you struggle with seeing yourself as a good creation from God?

    a. Jeremiah 33:3—He desires to show you incredible things for your life
    b. Psalm 139:13-14—He knit you together in your mother’s womb

  9. If we don’t believe that we are an amazing creation from God, envy will continually show itself throughout our life.
  10. Envy is the greatest enemy of inner peace; it steals your contentment from your heart

Key Point—You are an incredible creation made by God for an amazing purpose—Accept it!!!

B. We must

Reveal Answer
the Comparison Game


  1. V.6-8—Saul envied David because the people were in awe of his talent and bravery
  2. Saul should have celebrated David but instead he was threatened by him
  3. Saul envied David for many reasons
  4. Saul never realized that it was not ultimately about him or David but God’s glory
  5. John the Baptist understood who he was and his call
  6. The comparison game moves you to dark place of envy
  7. The way we know that we are radically secure in Jesus is:

    a. We can authentically celebrate other’s accomplishments even when we are not able to obtain to the same level
    b. Stop with the world’s metrics—Look to Jesus’ metrics

Key Point—Envy is fueled by the comparison game, starve it in Jesus name.

C. We must

Reveal Answer
the Strength of Jesus


  1. The difference between Saul and David

    a. Saul relied upon his own strength
    b. David relied over and over in the strength of His Lord

  2. Phil 4:13—Remember you can do all things through Christ who strengths you.

  3. Pray a dangerous prayer
    a. Lord help me to see myself the way you see me
    b. Lord help me to authentically celebrate others

  4. If you are tempted to be jealous acknowledge it

  5. Ask Jesus to help you be thankful for what you have and not to focus on what you don’t have
  6. Learning to be grateful for who you are and where God has you is one of the greatest lessons to be learned
  7. Ask Jesus to help you give out authentic praise and encouragement to other’s accomplishments

Key Point—Jesus is the only real satisfaction in life—Focus on Him!!

III. Call to Action:

1. Surrender your goals and aspirations to Jesus

2. Encourage and help others with their goals and aspirations

3. Protect your heart from areas that feed envy

Want a record of your sermon notes for today? Click the EMAIL button to send a copy!