It's all too human to envy
others who have what we don't. When we're poor and hungry it's no
surprise that we're jealous of those who are materially comfortable.
When our family life is in a shambles, it's natural to wonder why others
get to enjoy peaceful, happy homes.
As natural as it is, envy is one of the most insidious and dangerous emotions. In contrast to simple greed, envy involves an element of resentment against those who have what we lack. When allowed to fester and grow, envy eats away at the spirit and soul, makes us miserable and angry, and can move one to selfish, even violent and destructive, action. It alienates family members, changes friends into enemies, pits classes and groups against each other, and when turned to political ends by clever manipulators, can tear apart whole societies. Ironically, action driven by envy almost never achieves its goals, and all too often leads only to frustration, bitterness, and despair. Envy led to Cain's murder of his brother Abel, and the Prodigal Son's brother to resent him and their father. No wonder envy is numbered among the "Seven Deadly Sins"!
As the Apostle James reminds us, "[w]here envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16 (KJVA)). And he pulls no punches in describing how this destructive process works: "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 (ESV)). How do we avoid or escape the trap of envy, that leads to so much woe?
Perhaps the only way is to keep the true spirit of Christ and His love burning brightly within us. Of course, we must do all we can to avoid the sinful conduct that puts distance between us and God. Aside from that, regular prayers of thankfulness are essential--how can we be envious when we're constantly thanking the Lord for what we do have? No matter how bleak your own life may seem at any given moment, there are many, many people all over the world who have it much worse, and would give almost anything to have what you do. You always have blessings of your own to count--don't trouble yourself counting someone else's!
As with so many other human frailties, ultimately the best antidote to envy is faith and trust in our Lord, that He will provide everything necessary for us to do His will on this earth, so that there's no need take account of what others have. As David said, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1 (KJV)). Likewise: "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4). The Apostle Paul, too, reminds us that "love envieth not." (1 Corinthians 13:4 (ASV)) So, if we keep Christ's selfless love burning inside us, delight in Him, and follow Him as our Shepherd, we won't dwell on what we (think) we lack, but will rejoice unceasingly in our countless blessings. We can be free of envy's spiritual corrosion, at peace with ourselves and others, and content to be an eternal citizen of His glorious kingdom! What more could one want?
As the Apostle James reminds us, "[w]here envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16 (KJVA)). And he pulls no punches in describing how this destructive process works: "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 (ESV)). How do we avoid or escape the trap of envy, that leads to so much woe?
Perhaps the only way is to keep the true spirit of Christ and His love burning brightly within us. Of course, we must do all we can to avoid the sinful conduct that puts distance between us and God. Aside from that, regular prayers of thankfulness are essential--how can we be envious when we're constantly thanking the Lord for what we do have? No matter how bleak your own life may seem at any given moment, there are many, many people all over the world who have it much worse, and would give almost anything to have what you do. You always have blessings of your own to count--don't trouble yourself counting someone else's!
As with so many other human frailties, ultimately the best antidote to envy is faith and trust in our Lord, that He will provide everything necessary for us to do His will on this earth, so that there's no need take account of what others have. As David said, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1 (KJV)). Likewise: "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4). The Apostle Paul, too, reminds us that "love envieth not." (1 Corinthians 13:4 (ASV)) So, if we keep Christ's selfless love burning inside us, delight in Him, and follow Him as our Shepherd, we won't dwell on what we (think) we lack, but will rejoice unceasingly in our countless blessings. We can be free of envy's spiritual corrosion, at peace with ourselves and others, and content to be an eternal citizen of His glorious kingdom! What more could one want?
Tom Fleming
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