Along the journey of our life we encounter people who appear to have better lives than we do. Perhaps they have more money, a more lucrative career, or a higher socioeconomic status. If we compare ourselves with them we may grow discontent about our own stations and desirous of the possessions of others.
Envy is characterized by desire, along with gluttony, lust, and greed. Envy and jealousy are similar but envy is a more intense manifestation. Both involve discontent with one's own traits, status, or possessions.
As gluttony
is the desire for food, lust the desire for sexual pleasure, and greed the desire for wealth, envy is a desire for the possessions of another. However, it is not only the desire for these things, but also a deep negative feeling over another's achievements. To envy is to resent somebody else's good so much that one would like to see it destroyed.
Envy and jealousy are bad qualities, especially for one who has a relationship with Christ. Being envious of others, especially those who reject Christianity, indicates that one does not fully understand what it means to be a child of God. Wealth, fame, and power in this world cannot compare to the riches in the kingdom of heaven, "for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"(Mark 8:36).
This wisdom is emphasized again in Psalm 37:1,2: "Do not fret because of those who are evil, or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."
Up to this point we have considered what envy really is, and it's relationship with jealousy and the other vices. We also touched on why Christians in particular should avoid being envious. Next we will look at more Biblical teaching about envy, and ways we can use this wisdom to prevent envy from creeping into our hearts.
What the Bible says about Envy
As a capital vice, envy leads to additional sinful behavior. Left unchecked, envy can lead to disastrous results, "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." (James 4:2-3) This is not to say that envious thoughts or behavior will drive us to steal, fight, or murder, but the danger is still there. It is nevertheless a step in that direction.
The Ten Commandments tell us directly that we shall not be envious, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's" (Ex.20:17).
Consider the story of Cain and Abel. The sons of Adam and Eve brought offerings to the Lord. Cain brought the Lord an offering of fruit from the earth and Abel brought the firstborn from his flock. The Lord favors Abel's sacrifice, and gives Can some stern instruction. Later on Cain leads Abel to the fields, where he murders him. Envy, along with anger, is thought to be the motivation behind Cain murdering his brother. Even though Cain and Abel lived thousands of years ago, the heart of man has not changed.
God may choose to bless a person with wealth, intellect, or a good personality. However, some become envious, even bitter towards this person. Why? Because they have been given many good things. What if this was your brother or sister, or mother or father? Wouldn't you rejoice in the blessings given to them? If you can't revel in the goodness of God, then there is something wrong in your heart. Similarly, if you cannot weep with a man who loses everything, there is something wrong in your heart.
Christians of all people should rejoice when God pours forth His goodness on others because Christians know that God first poured out mercy and goodness to them while they were still a slave to their sin.
Worldly wisdom might say that envy is a good thing. While envy can inspire us to work and be ambitious so that we can obtain the things we desire, this is false wisdom that the Bible warns us of, "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic." (James 3:14,15)
Overcoming Envy
Because of man's fallen nature, we cannot forever escape feelings of envy, but we can fight against it. Envy is destroyed by love, kindness, and being content with what has been given us: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." (Rm. 12:15) In t
he game of Chess there are kings and queens, knights and bishops and rooks, and then there are pawns. Each piece has a function, a purpose in the game. Each piece, by it's own means, can secure a checkmate. Similarly, God has assigned us roles in life, and given us the gifts and abilities to fulfill these roles:
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. -Romans 12:4-8
From this passage we can discern why envy has no place in a Christian heart. There is honor in each role, and each role has a purpose in the whole. Sometimes our roles change, or turn out to be something we did not expect. But all along the way, God is with us.
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."
- I Corinthians 12:4-6
Amen
Further reading and inspiration for overcoming anger:
Revised 4/1/2014
You really need read the story in it’s context. God asked Cain, where is your brother? Cain in answer asks Am I my brothers Keeper? God does not answer. You have free will after all. In the story of Noah. In the closing of the ark bit where they are back on dry land and the fire is being prepared, it clearly states that God says, Never again will I destroy the Earth for the sake of man, for I will accept the evil in his heart from youth. If the God of Noah can accept this, how on earth can you not???? Are you higher than God???? What God will not accept is that you have the right to pollute the wind. Steal the life of the innocent creatures without free will you had to look after. You body has 2 parts to the same brain, subjective and objective, when you print your final point of unified body, would you please stop only using half your mind. The objective is the seat of God’s creativity and church has yet to do more than light the odd candle and burn incense. How did the great master Micheal Angelo carve those beautiful statues? I saw the figure in the stone before I released it from it’s prison. Foresight. It’s called Foresight. Being Objective. You looking at the picture from only your own view. Try looking at this from the Earths perspective. It created all this and its creation has turned out blinder than bats. Does a dog not scratch in an attempt to knock a few fleas of it’s back???