Christian Family Services Ministry

11-3-2021 – A Word to the Wise – On Envy

There are some sins rarely addressed in society. One of those sins is envy. It is not that envy is unimportant for we will see it is frequently listed among the most horrible of transgression. No, I think the real problem is that envy is not really understood, nor defined.

Some classify it along with jealousy however there is no similarity between the two. God may be defined as a jealous God, but never envious.

Envy is related to covetousness, in that to covet is to desire that which is another’s. Envy not only wants that which is another’s but seeks to destroy in the process the other person.

Solomon put it this way; Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4

So, what gives birth to envy? Paul states it this way “: he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, 1 Timothy 6:4

Simply, some types of envy are born of controversy which then results in slander of another.

But another form takes on a more sinister role. Proverbs 3:31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways; This bit of wisdom warns about looking at men of violence and wanting to copy their behavior. Note please the link of envy with violence. The two go together.

One other link that we should of be aware of. “Therefore, as I live, says the Lord GOD, I will deal with you according to the anger and envy which you showed because of your hatred against them; and I will make myself known among you, when I judge you. Ezekiel 35:11. We see thus that envy, anger, and hatred all dwell together.

Paul sums up the matter and states all of these share a common root: “They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips,

Notice please that we see a pattern here; first malice, strife, deceit, covetousness, leading to murder. Oh, I left out gossip, now is that not odd. Who would have known that gossip and envy are bedfellows!

Finally, the death of Jesus was brought about by envious men. “For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.” Matthew 27:18

Near the end of Proverbs, we find a cure or perhaps an insulation from envy; that is striving after fear of the Lord. Proverbs 23:17 Let not your heart envy sinners but continue in the fear of the LORD all day. Let’s do fear the Lord, for we will have a deep sense of peace something unknown to the one who envies.