1 Samuel 18:6–15 (NASB95) — 6 It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. 7 The women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” 8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on. 10 Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. 11 Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice. 12 Now Saul was afraid of David, for the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 Therefore Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. 14 David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him.

Stages of self-destruction

1. Praise - Seeing or hearing about another’s success

• Praise tests the heart.
• The beginning of Saul’s downfall was the test of praise.

2. Comparison - Measuring yourself next to another

• You take inventory of what you have and begin to compare it with what they have.
  • Take inventory of gifts
  • Take inventory of relationships
  • Take inventory of looks
  • Take inventory of possessions
  • Take inventory of education
• You become obsessed with ER
  • Rich-ER, Skinny-ER, Smart-ER, Tall-ER, Pretty-ER, Happy-ER, Funny-ER, Cool-ER
• 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT) — 12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

3. Envy - Not being pleased with the results and wanting them to fail

• Jealousy wants what someone else has; envy wants them not to have it and for you to have it.
• Envy usually follows gender lines.
• Envy usually follows peer lines.
• Envy is suspicious.
• Envy is a sin.

4. Attack - Doing what it takes to get rid of them

• Saul threw a spear at David, but we throw words.
• Mudslinging, gossiping, rudeness, and attempting to malign character are all symptoms of envy.

5. Fear - Paranoia that you will never win

• Once your attack doesn’t work, you begin to be paranoid.
  • I’m losing everything.
  • I don’t have a purpose.
  • I will never amount to anything.
  • THEY are going to win.

6. Obsession - Tormented with their success and your failure for life

• Saul became obsessed with David to the extent that he spent the last decade of his life trying to destroy David.
• He became totally consumed with David and self-destructed.
• Envy will torture you.

The solution:

• Learn to rejoice at the promotion of another.
• Refuse to compare yourself with anyone.
• Focus on God’s call on your life.