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  ENVY
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: Envy is a wickedness that torments the envious, and we should
flee from it as we would flee from a cruel adversary.

Topics: "Gratitude", "Envy"
Scripture References: Psalm 37:1-2, Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 23:17, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:26, Philippians 2:3, James 3:16, 1 Peter 2:1

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DESCRIPTION
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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.

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CONTENT
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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?

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/envy/
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