A vice is a habit of sin,
that forms your character over time.
A virtue, a habit of godliness,
by your character can be defined.
What is the vice of envy?
not coveting, not jealousy per se.
It’s wanting something you don’t have,
while wanting another to lose their way.
You feel inferior,
your identity is at stake.
You don’t believe you are loved,
and so slowly you begin to hate.
Locking on to someone,
you perceive has it better than you.
Better, more successful, has it all,
really good at what you want to do.
Underneath the struggle,
you hold God in your court of appeals.
Feeling you’ve been cheated,
of the life you have wanted for years.
You measure, you compare,
you’re defensive and insecure.
You find it difficult to cheer for others,
misery becomes the company you implore.
Of all the deadly vices,
Envy is no fun at all.
You need a solution outside yourself,
so that your heart may be restored.
Security that is solid,
filling all the holes of your heart.
Never can be taken from you,
the love of God is where you start.
Unshakable, foundational,
all you Envy after is sinking sand.
But the God who holds your lot,
is the one who takes your hand.
God chose you from eternity,
he set his love on you.
He loves you because he loves you,
not because of what you do.
I am God and he is mine,
this truth will set you free.
To love and affirm another’s joys,
and move from insecure to security.
Enjoy common goods,
enjoy the rest, learning, and labor.
Enjoy for enjoyments sake,
not to get ahead of your neighbor.
Instead of hating someone who’s better,
and going beyond even jealous.
Be inspired by how good they are,
study, ask questions, be zealous.
How can I grow, how can I be grateful?
Who has God called ME to be?
Jesus kill our pride of Envy,
and by your blood please set us free.
(taken with permission from our churches sermon series on the 7 Deadly Sins )
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