Envy is defined as, “hostility, malice, enmity, a feeling of resentful or discontented longing aroused by another person’s better fortune.” Envy includes the desire to possess what someone else has, a lack of satisfaction with what God has provided, being wounded by the mere contemplation of someone else’s prosperity, and being glad at the misfortune of others. One writer commented, “Envy, biblically speaking, is a self-destructive passion that insatiably drives a person to desire another’s gifts, possessions, or achievements. Envy is sinful jealousy – it’s the false entitlement that says you may possess that which justly belongs to another and fuels the blind arrogance to pursue it.”. This is as ugly and as scary as it gets.
The individual struggling with envy is unable to see the world (reality) properly. He/she views other people improperly (angry the other person has something nice). He/she views the self improperly (angry he/she does not have what others have and thus feels abused and mistreated). He/she views God improperly (angry that God is supposedly treating him/her unfairly). Being “green with envy” is not as innocent as it sounds. It means we are focused on what is not ours and blind to what is good – even blind to our own destructive actions. “To be full of envy is to be blinded by the predatory desire to have what belongs to someone else.”
The notorious King Ahab is a great example for seeing envy in action. According to 1 Kings 21, there was a man named Naboth who owned a vineyard that was close to the palace of the king. Ahab sought to purchase the land in order to make a vegetable garden. Naboth rightfully declined. Ahab’s response to being rebuffed was not merely a sign of his being spoiled, it was a sign of a heart full of envy. He was “sullen and displeased” and “lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food” (1 Kin. 21:4). When what has transpired is relayed to Queen Jezebel, she acts quickly with cruelty. A plan is hatched to have Naboth publicly accused of blaspheming God and the king. He is thus promptly murdered via stoning. “So it was, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite” (1 Kin. 21:16).
Envy that dwells in the heart can be difficult to detect until it is acted upon and unleashed. But when the desire to possess what someone else has becomes so strong that one is willing to destroy and wreck other lives in order to possess it, the heart of man has been clearly revealed. Ahab meets all of the classic definitions of envy. He desired to possess what rightfully belonged to someone else. Even though he was a king living in a palace, he was not satisfied with his current blessings. He was hurt and sad in thinking about Naboth continuing to have what he wanted for himself. He was willing to see another be destroyed if it meant he could have what he wanted. Finally, he was so blinded by his envy, he could not foresee that the path they were on would lead to the demise of his wife.
Brothers and sisters, let us not envy one another. Envy is a killer! It destroys everything! Specifically, envy destroys our hope – it is evil and will keep us out of heaven (Gal. 5:21). Envy destroys our love – it keeps us from treating each other as we should (1 Cor. 13:4). Envy destroys our joy – it keeps us from appreciating and enjoying the blessings already have (Prov. 14:30). Envy destroys our relationships – it prevents us from bonding and/or staying together in closeknit community (Gal. 5:26). Envy denies us the abundant life now and disqualifies us from the eternal life to come. May we be content with the blessings we have and may we be supportive and happy about the blessings our neighbor possesses. May God be merciful to us and grant us the strength and wisdom to live and walk as we should!
