Freedom from Envy, Greed and Fear

IN PURSUIT OF AN AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD FREEDOM FROM ENVY, GREED AND FEAR   Being real with God means I must be honest with my sin   Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!  Luke 18:18-24 NLT   I must discover how my sin keeps me from a real and right relationship with God   Let us test and examine our ways, hand return to the LORD! Lamentations 3:40 ESV
ENVY: THE DESIRE TO BE UNIQUE   Envy blocks me from seeing Gods beauty   Envy invites evil in my life   For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:15-16 NLT   To draw closer to God:

• Practice noticing the beauty, ability and success of others and learn to celebrate God’s glory in them.

• Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:3 NLT

• Work at developing inner strength and beauty

• Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3 NLT

GREED: THE DESIRE TO POSSESS   Greed inspires me to worship everything but God   So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you…Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Colossians 3:5 NLT   To draw closer to God:

• Practice contentment being thankful for what you have and give generously to the Lord.

• Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11 NLT

• Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!  Bring your offering and come into his courts. Psalm 96:8 NLT

FEAR: THE DESIRE FOR SECURITY   Fear causes me to run from God when I need him the most   Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:9-10 NLT   To draw closer to God:

• Practice inviting God into my fears

• Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23 NLT

• But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NLT

• Meditate on Gods love for me

• This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  1 John 4:10 NLT

• … perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 14:18 NLT

I must repent of my sins and ask God to forgive me
…there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:7 NLT