
ENVY: THE SEED OF MURDER
A Pauline Warning for the Dispensation of Grace
Key Text: Romans 1:29 (KJV)
βBeing filled with all unrighteousnessβ¦ envy, murderβ¦β
INTRODUCTION
Many believers minimize envy because it is an inward sin.
But Scripture reveals that envy is not smallβit is deadly.
In Romans 1, Paul lists envy and murder side-by-side, proving that envy is the root, while murder is the fruit.
Today, we will expose envy through rightly divided Pauline doctrine and see why God condemns it so strongly in this Dispensation of Grace.
ENVY EXPOSED
Proverbs 14:30; Romans 1:29 (KJV)
A. Hidden Corruption β Envy works inwardly
B. Heart Condition β It rots the bones
C. Silent Sin β Often excused, never harmless
Dispensational Insight:
Paul exposes envy as a mark of a reprobate mind.
ENVY EXALTED BY THE FLESH
Galatians 5:19β21; Titus 3:3 (KJV)
A. Fleshly Comparison β Measuring self against others
B. Fleshly Competition β Wanting what God gave another
C. Fleshly Corruption β Grace ignored, flesh enthroned
Pauline Truth:
Envy is a work of the flesh, not of faith.
ENVY EXPLAINS MURDER
James 4:1β2; Matthew 27:18 (KJV)
A. Desire Unchecked β Lust produces hatred
B. Hatred Unrestrained β Hatred seeks harm
C. Murder Manifested β Envy fuels violence
Right Division:
Israel murdered Christ through envy; Paul reveals the motive.
ENVY EQUALIZED WITH HATRED
1 John 3:12, 15; Romans 12:19 (KJV)
A. Cainβs Example β Envy led to bloodshed
B. Heart Murder β Hatred precedes action
C. Divine Judgment β God judges the heart
Grace Truth:
Grace does not excuse hatredβit condemns it.
ENVY EXPOSES CARNALITY
1 Corinthians 3:1β3; Philippians 1:15 (KJV)
A. Fleshly Believers β Saved, but carnal
B. Ministry Jealousy β Envy even in preaching
C. Growth Stunted β Envy halts spiritual maturity
Insight:
Envy proves believers are walking as men, not in grace.
ENVY ENDS FELLOWSHIP
Galatians 5:26; Romans 16:17 (KJV)
A. Strife Created β Relationships destroyed
B. Unity Broken β Body of Christ wounded
C. Division Spread β Envy divides assemblies
Pauline Warning:
Mark those who cause divisionβenvy is often the root.
ENVY ERUPTS INTO EVIL WORKS
James 3:14β16; 2 Timothy 3:1β5 (KJV)
A. Confusion Produced β Disorder reigns
B. Corruption Released β Every evil work follows
C. Last-Days Marker β Envy dominates perilous times
Dispensational Context:
Paul identifies envy as a last-days sin.
ENVY EXPELLED BY GRACE
Romans 6:11β14; Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
A. Reckon Dead β Sin no longer reigns
B. Renew the Mind β Identity in Christ replaces comparison
C. Walk in Grace β Grace teaches contentment
Grace Doctrine:
Victory over envy comes through identity, not effort.
ENVY EXCHANGED FOR CHARITY
1 Corinthians 13:4; Colossians 3:12β15 (KJV)
A. Charity Suffers Long β Love replaces jealousy
B. Charity Envieth Not β Love celebrates others
C. Peace Rules β Christ governs the heart
Pauline Final:
Charity is the cure for envy.
CONCLUSION
Envy is not small.
Envy is not harmless.
Envy is one step short of murder.
Paulβs doctrine exposes envy as a flesh-driven, fellowship-destroying, Christ-denying sin that must be judged in the heart.
CALL TO ACTION
STOP comparing yourself
START renewing your mind
WALK in your identity in Christ
PUT ON charity
Kill envy before it kills your testimony.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You may never lift a knife,
but envy lifts hatred.
You may never shed blood,
but envy sheds fellowship.
Grace doesnβt ignore envyβ
grace conquers it.
βLet all bitterness, and wrath, and angerβ¦ be put away from you.β
β Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)






