Envy: The Enemy Within: Overcoming the Hidden Emotion That Holds God's Plans Hostage: Overcoming the Hidden Emotion That Holds God's Plan Hostage

by Bob Sorge

Envy might well be termed the silent sin. Because while all of us envy others to some extent, few of us acknowledge our problem out loud, let alone try to overcome it and move forward. Bob Sorge draws upon his own pastoral experience-plus the admitted burden of his own envy-to show why and how it can adversely affect the ministry of a church and even prevent revival in people's lives. Sorge reveals why comparison of our ministry and spiritual gifts to that of our fellow believers is to be avoided at all costs so that we do not hamstring God's plan for our growth and the accomplishment of His purposes. This is a must-read for leaders of all churches, great and small-and anyone who wants the peace that comes with a life free of envy.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Bob Sorge is “the speaker who can’t talk”—that is, he is reduced to a whisper because of a debilitating vocal injury he suffered over 20 years ago. Through the journey, God has given him an empowering message that explores God’s purposes in fiery trials. It’s not the fire that changes you but your pursuit of God in the fire that changes you. Bob has a unique way of helping us process our journey so we stay in the race and overcome. Whether you’re reading one of his books or listening to him, you’re about to receive a message from the heart of God that will strengthen your faith and draw you into greater intimacy with Jesus.

Reviews

[Amy Kannel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift over a year ago--one of those slightly backhanded "um...thanks?" gifts, haha--but although I didn't see my need for it at the time, it turned out to be quite prescient.

It's definitely one of those "chew the meat, spit out the bones" books. Some very wise and helpful counsel, but also some sketchy handling of Scripture, over-reliance on personal experience, mapping envy onto Bible stories where I'm not sure it's there (or it's at least not the main point). In other words, heavy on the eisegesis. I appreciated the author's honesty about his own struggles with envy and his humble but hopeful conclusion about envy as a lifelong battle but one in which real progress can be made. All in all, I found it somewhat helpful, but it would not be a go-to recommendation.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more of an intimate talk from Bob. I think God speaks to people in suffering by a different measure and standard than those who aren't dealing with daily struggles. Definitely didn't agree with his biblical interpretation methods, there was a lot of eisogesis. But that doesn't mean that most of his points weren't useful. You can be off on a few supporting points and still get the main point correct, and I think that's exactly what happened here. The most of the last chapter felt unnecessary as is often the case in these Christian books like this, where it's like they are rambling, but given Bob's speaking problem I feel like it's excusable. The first half of the book was best, and this book had a lot to say. I went into it thinking I didn't have an envy problem, I finished it with the realization that I am more envious than most anyone else I know. Bob is really good at black and white abstract theories but often times fails to give concrete examples and so the people who don't process like him miss the point or the idea. His experience helps this problem, and he totally gets convinced of what he is saying and then uses scripture to back it up. Still, worth a read. Keeping it as a resource. ONE LAST NOTE: if I had to take a guess, I would assume Bob belongs to that "charistmatic" camp with the dangerous theology (no, not all charismatics are wack jobs with terrible beliefs). This is not quite to the extreme of John Eldredge or Bill Johnson, but probably around the same as John Bevere.

[José & Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dios desea un avivamiento más que todos nosotros. Pero no importa que hombre o ministerio Él levante, la envidia esta a la vuelta de la esquina para golpear la puerta de los corazones que no están sanos. El camino de la envidia no es compatible al momento de seguir a Jesús. Debemos decidir entre pelear con la realidad de nuestras circunstancias, o enfocarnos realmente en disfrutar de la sabiduría del trayecto que Él ha puesto delante de nuestros pies. La realidad del amor de Cristo en nosotros, es lo único que verdaderamente disipa y nos libra de cualquier vestigio de envidia, que quiera levantarse contra nosotros."

[Mihaela Mureșan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a powerful and vulnerable book❤️
Love the solution: to become professional repenters

[Mike Sambuco · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this, I have come to think that every follower of Christ should read this book! It opens eyes and shines the light of truth on our thinking and flushes out one of the prevalent, but typically ignored issues that causes problems between people - and often, local church leaders and their congregations. As he exposed the processes, I recognized that I've seen it in action for many years, either overtly, or covertly. There was some zingers that stung, realizing that I'm still finding flawed thinking and sin hiding, but I'm thankful for the exposure in order to deal with them before they do any more damage.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay, this was MY time to read this book and it has changed my life...one of the tools in God's hand at the right time. I've come out of it wanting to shed ambition, desiring to share others' victories as my own, and to learn to prefer others in love.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todos somos envidiosos, y si creemos que no lo somos este libro va a revelar el envidioso que está en nosotros. La envidia no permite que vivamos un avivamiento en nuestras vidas y en nuestra ciudad, si sientes que tu vida está estancada probablemente es resultado de la envidia.

Algo que me confrontó de este libro es que la envidia no es un sentimiento sino un pecado, y así tenemos que verlo, como pecado.

Bob Sorge es un filósofo que lleva la palabra de Dios a otro nivel, y a través de su experiencia personal (que resultó en una grave enfermedad) y su estudio constante de la Palabra de Dios nos da el antídoto a la envidia, algo con lo que debemos trabajar todos los días.

¿A quien le regalaría este libro? Es un libro difícil de regalar, pero definitivamente un libro para recomendar a todos.

Mi experiencia personal: yo si sabía que era envidiosa, y esa envidia me estaba deprimiendo. Con este libro y con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo estoy encontrando mi libertad de este pecado.

[Bathan Rountree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew I had envy this bad

I received a confession from a dear sister in Christ about how she envied a friend who was recently promoted. She knew she was envious and confessed it. I went on to tell her it’s not that big a deal because we all envy from time to time;however, the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart through her confession by telling me that I hide it, but it is rooted in me and the Lord wants to expose it to the light. I went on to confess it to my prayer partners and BAM, they all confessed that they were envious of me as well. This book really helped me to see how envious we are and it all started with Adam and Eve being envious of our Father and wanting to be like Him.

[María Fernanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un llamado a aprender a reconocer la gracia en nuestra vida personal y en la vida de los que nos rodean.
Este libro nos lleva al quirófano para abrir nuestro corazón y exponer la envidia que muchas veces permanece escondida.
Es una invitación a poner nuestros ojos en las metas eternas en donde no hay competidores, a buscar sobre todas las cosas que el espíritu revele a nuestro corazón la verdad de nuestra identidad y selle el amor de Dios de manera personal, de esta manera estaremos seguros y podremos actuar ágilmente para no dale lugar a la envidia y celebrar el avance de otros, porque su avance también forma parte de nuestra recompensa. Este será el camino para la madurez de la iglesia de los últimos tiempos.

[Mathew Reames · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that is required reading for our whole church staff. You cannot be on staff if you are unwilling to read this. It is a clear biblical expose on how envy infects the body of Christ.

[Paula Gama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este livro fala de como a inveja pode influenciar nossa vida negativamente e como a inveja do outro para conosco nos ajuda a sermos humildes. A perseguição nos leva para um lugar de humildade.

[Doreen Dawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! The book discusses the concept of team. The book warns against gaining our identity from anything other than a relationship with Christ.

[Allen Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging. Convicting. You just think you don't have a problem with envy - doesn't take long reading this book to realize we all have a problem with the sin of envy.

[David M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal!

The raw, blatant, barren openness with which Sorge approaches this topic is refreshing. He begins by disarming you with his own transparency, and proceeds through that lens to unpack the measure to which envy has permitted the whole of our western ministry world, not leaving your own heart untouched. Well worth the read if you don't mind being licked by the flames of testing & conviction.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that deals with "envy" ... I am using it right now as discipleship material. It's very easy to read. Teens can totally digest it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with convicting truth. It is one I recommend to anyone that is serious about their walk in the Lord and willing to be honest concerning the deep hidden emotions of the heart.

[Larry Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me to understand envy in a new way and realize that I was not so free of it as I would have said before reading it.