Envy A big problem you didn't know you had

"All the passages of Scripture filled with conflict, anger, depression, rage, despair, and hostility" are "related, in one way or another, to the sin of envy," declares pastor Fabarez (Raising Men, Not Boys) in this charismatic guide. Sifting through scripture from Cain's murder of Abel to Saul's "evil eye," the author posits that resentment of those who "have a blessing in their own lives that you don't" both spurs dissatisfaction and devalues each person's unique, God-given blessings ("there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are varieties of service, but the same Lord," according to the Bible). To find "satisfaction in our less-than-perfect lives," Fabarez advises Christians to take spiritual inventory of their own irreplicable gifts and blessings; "sincerely rejoice" in others' wins; and actively practice loving others. Fabarez's vigorous prose never loses steam or becomes gratingly didactic, and those who can forgive his heavy-handed metaphors ("all the mental vigilance we need in this spiritual war against our enemy and his demonic snipers... will one day be behind us") will appreciate his brisk and candid "you get what you get" approach that foregrounds faith and gratitude. Christians seeking to vanquish the green-eyed monster will be buoyed. (Nov.)