The Dangers of Envy

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. – Psalm 37:1-17

The definition of the word Envy according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary states: “the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has; the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.

Envy in essence is a deep sense of desire for something that somebody might have which causes is to live in pursuit of such an object or accomplishment, or obsession of what we do not possess at the time being. The issues with this sense of desire is that we often find ourselves pursuing after what we are not, and even further away from what God has already given to us and intended for our lives.

Envy leads us in the direction to become more erroneous in our ways and desperate to become more earthly than to become more like Christ who is our source of life each day. When we start comparing ourselves to other people on earth, is when we’ve lost sight of how God perceives us – how he looks at you and I with unmatchable goodness as his creation. It is not only the destruction of our own self esteem, but also the esteem of others as it could very easily cause us to compare the ones we ought to love unconditionally with people we wish they were. Either is destructive and sinful in nature.

This sort of envy could be committed even in the Christian life – wondering why God doesn’t give financial means to me like he gave to my friends; why the Lord doesn’t heal my body when he’s healed so many others; why He would let my child die when he saved somebody’s else’s. These are difficult to both ask and also the answer, but the comparison of such circumstances is often the envy of our neighbors which in so many ways can destroy our very confidence and faith.

Although God is compassionate, just, and all powerful, the Christian journey is far from the ideology of our God being the one who is the hearer and answerer of all the desires on our hearts – including our envy. This is far from the truth. God does not exist for the sake of our demands, but rather in turn that we were created for His worship and glory. The problem with envy, is that it seeks and desires to bring self glory, for the prosperity of one’s own needs. It is neither submissive, nor humble, and is proud altogether.

Today, reflect upon what are some of the envious attitudes and desires that you have. Admit, and repent of such envy and instead trade it in for the Glory of God. Take delight in not how we are in comparison to our neighbors who seem to have more, but rather in the sufficiency of delighting in our salvation that has been given to us in Jesus Christ.