Envy -The Enemy Within by Bob Sorge

Envy almost influenced me to walk away from what I do best. Envy is a subtle and powerful weapon of darkness. If I am not careful, I will casually let envy erode the confidence and clear conscience needed to bring fulfillment in the plans and will of God for my life.

The book by Bob Sorge is a great exploration of the destructive poison of the spirit of envy.

Let’s get into our Worship Leader Review of Bob Sorge’s book called  Envy -The Enemy Within

• Total pages: 150
• Shortest chapter length 26 pages
• Longest chapter length 8 pages
• Personal Stories & Scriptural Examples
• first published 2003

Chapter Titles

1. The Most Common Problem that Nobody Has
2. What is Envy?
3. The Brothers
4. The Great Talent Showdown
5. Why Revival Tarries
6. The Cross: Death of Envy
7. Perceiving the “Measure of Grace”
8. The Envy Detour: Death or Destiny
9. Rooted in Love

Quotes about praise

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Bob Sorge’s book Envy; The Enemy Within:

1. Envy is the internal pain we feel over someone else’s success
2. Envy is the Natural by-product of being favored by God – Michael Cavanaugh
3. It’s the tallest tree that gets hit by lightning
4. Envy is always an issue with the brothers
5. No amount of practice can give you a gift you haven’t received from God
6. There is always somebody more talented than you
7. When revival hits two things typically begin to gather in abundance; people and money
8. God protects power with problems
9. My goal is to be known in Heaven
10. The best antidote for envy is the pursuit of the knowledge of the love of Christ

The Great Talent Showdown

My favorite chapter in this book is titled The Great Talent Showdown. This chapter contributes to a deeper understanding of the parable Jesus Christ shared regarding the talents found in the book of  Matthew 25:14-30

…each according to his own ability. Matthew 25: 15 

Bob concludes that when it comes to the ministry of music, one’s level of giftedness becomes so measurable, you can almost put a numerical value on it.

I also like this idea that Bob brings to light; It might be tempting to look at someone else with more gifts than you and envy what they have; but the truth is that if you had their level of gifting, you could potentially suffer quick burnout and utter frustration. Your ‘ability’ may not be meant to handle it.
Having said that, I like that Bob points out that you can only work with what giftings and talents god gives you, but you can also multiply them!

Bob Sorge has also included Mike Bickle’s perspective on talents. The more talent and giftedness a person is,  more publicly and visually expressed towards a more prominent public platform.
And finally, when it comes to leadership, I like this thoughtful illustration Bob makes explain the various talents given by The Lord:

“If the level of excellence in the worship ministry (and other ministries) doesn’t grow with the church, the growth of the church will level off and will plateau according to the level of giftedness among its leaders.”  -Bob Sorge