Introduction
Envy, an emotion, marked by resentment towards others’ achievements or possessions, stands in stark contrast to the values of love, contentment, and gratitude espoused in the Bible. This article will explore scriptural insights into the nature of envy, its harmful consequences, and the biblical guidance for overcoming this destructive emotion.
The Nature of Envy in Scripture: What is Envy According to the Bible?
The Bible provides clear descriptions of envy and its detrimental essence.
• A Tranquil Heart vs. Envy: Proverbs 14:30 (ESV): “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
This proverb contrasts the life-giving nature of a peaceful heart with the destructive impact of envy. Envy is depicted as a corrosive emotion that harms not just relationships but also one’s own well-being.
• Envy’s Association with Disorder: James 3:14-16 (ESV): “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 associates envy with chaos and confusion. He categorizes it as earthly and unspiritual, highlighting its opposition to godly wisdom and peace.
• Envy as a Sign of Worldliness: 1 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV): “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
Paul reprimands the Corinthians for their envy, equating it with carnality and immaturity. This view of envy as an indicator of spiritual infancy challenges believers to rise above petty jealousies.
• Provoking Envy Unnecessarily: Galatians 5:26 (ESV): “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
In Galatians, Paul admonishes against behaviors that stir up envy, including conceit and provocation. This guidance underlines the importance of fostering a community free from envy-inducing attitudes.
Consequences of Envy
The Bible does not shy away from discussing the negative outcomes and dangers of harboring envy.
• Do Not Envy Sinners: Proverbs 23:17-18 (ESV): “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.”
This proverb warns against envying the apparent prosperity of sinners, encouraging a focus on godly fear instead. It implies that envy can lead one away from the right path.
• Envy Leads to Resentment: Job 5:2 (ESV): “For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one.”
The book of Job equates envy with a kind of self-inflicted harm, suggesting that it leads to spiritual and possibly physical demise.
• Envy as Cruel as the Grave: Proverbs 27:4 (ESV): “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”
This verse highlights the intense and overpowering nature of envy, comparing it to wrath and anger in its capacity to destroy.
• Envy Leads to Wrong Motives: James 4:2-3 (ESV): “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.”
James links envy with conflict and unfulfilled desires. He points out that envy often leads to destructive behaviors and conflict, highlighting the need for right motives in prayer and action.
Envy and Personal Relationships
The Bible addresses how envy can strain and damage personal relationships.
• Envy Leading to Strife: 1 Samuel 18:7-9 (ESV): “And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’ And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him…”
Saul’s envy towards David, triggered by David’s growing popularity, illustrates how envy can lead to hostility in relationships. Saul’s inability to rejoice in David’s achievements eventually leads to conflict and destructive behavior.
• Envy and Unfulfilled Desires: Proverbs 13:12 (ESV): “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
This proverb suggests that unfulfilled desires, often a source of envy, can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction and bitterness. Envy stemming from unmet expectations can hinder healthy relationships and personal contentment.
• Envy Leads to Division: Romans 1:29 (ESV): “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness…”
Paul lists envy among various destructive behaviors that lead to division and conflict. Envy is presented as a catalyst for further negative emotions and actions.
• Consider Others Above Yourselves: Philippians 2:3 (ESV): “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
This exhortation by Paul to the Philippians is a direct antidote to envy. By valuing others and putting their interests first, the tendency towards envy can be mitigated.
What is the Spiritual Root of Envy?
Scripture sheds light on the underlying causes of envy.
• Cain’s Envy Leads to Murder: Genesis 4:4-5 (ESV): “And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.”
The story of Cain and Abel demonstrates how envy can stem from perceived favoritism or inequality. Cain’s envy of Abel’s favor with God leads to anger and ultimately, murder.
• Love of Money as a Root of Evil: 1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV): “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Paul identifies the love of money, often associated with envy, as a root cause of various evils. This craving can lead individuals away from faith and into harmful paths.
• Envy as a Result of Toil and Striving: Ecclesiastes 4:4 (ESV): “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.”
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes observes that much of human labor and ambition are fueled by envy. This realization points to the vanity of such endeavors when driven by envy.
• Evil Thoughts from Within: Mark 7:21-23 (ESV): “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.”
Jesus teaches that envy, like other evils, originates in the human heart. It is part of the range of sinful tendencies that need to be addressed spiritually.
How to Get Rid of Envy: Contentment
Contentment is presented in Scripture as a key to overcoming envy.
• Be Content with What You Have: Hebrews 13:5 (ESV): “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to find contentment in God’s presence and provision rather than in material wealth. This contentment serves as an antidote to envy.
• Learning to Be Content: Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV): “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Paul speaks of learning contentment in all life’s circumstances. He views contentment as a learned and practiced virtue that can combat feelings of envy.
• Godliness with Contentment: 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (ESV): “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”
This passage suggests that combining godliness with contentment leads to true spiritual gain. Recognizing the transient nature of worldly possessions helps in fostering contentment.
• Guard Against All Kinds of Greed: Luke 12:15 (ESV): “And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'”
Jesus warns against greed, an emotion closely related to envy. He emphasizes that life’s true value is not found in material abundance.
How to Get Rid of Envy: Love and Compassion
The Bible advocates for love and compassion as effective antidotes to envy.
• Love Does Not Envy: 1 Corinthians 13:4 (ESV): “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.”
Paul describes the nature of true love, emphasizing that it does not include envy. This suggests that cultivating genuine love for others helps in overcoming feelings of jealousy and envy.
• Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice: Romans 12:15 (ESV): “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
This exhortation encourages empathy and shared emotions, including celebrating others’ successes. Practicing such empathy can diminish feelings of envy and foster a more supportive community.
• Rid Yourselves of Envy: 1 Peter 2:1 (ESV): “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”
Peter calls for a rejection of negative emotions, including envy. Replacing envy with positive, godly attitudes leads to healthier relationships and spiritual well-being.
• Clothe Yourselves with Compassion: Colossians 3:12 (ESV): “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
Paul advises believers to adopt virtues like compassion and humility, which counteract the effects of envy. These qualities foster a spirit of unity and peace within the Christian community. We need ongoing help to turn from envy in these ways.
Envy and Spiritual Growth
Addressing and overcoming envy can lead to significant spiritual development.
• Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
The fruit of the Spirit includes qualities that are incompatible with envy. Developing these aspects of character through the Spirit’s guidance can help in overcoming envious tendencies.
• Avoiding Conflicts and Quarrels: 2 Corinthians 12:20 (ESV): “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”
Paul expresses concern about behaviors that disrupt church unity, including envy. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining harmony and fostering spiritual growth within the church.
• Wisdom from Above: James 3:17-18 (ESV): “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
James contrasts earthly wisdom, often associated with envy, with heavenly wisdom. This divine wisdom promotes peace and sincerity, counteracting the divisiveness of envy.
• Craving Pure Spiritual Milk: 1 Peter 2:1-2 (ESV): “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—”
Peter encourages believers to desire spiritual nourishment, which leads to maturity. Part of this growth involves shedding negative emotions like envy.
Conclusion
The biblical perspective on envy reveals it as a destructive emotion that can corrode personal relationships and hinder spiritual growth. Scripture teaches that envy stems from a lack of contentment and an improper focus on others’ possessions or achievements. To combat envy, the Bible advocates for cultivating a heart of contentment, empathy, and love, grounded in a deep understanding of God’s grace and provision. Overcoming envy is not just about suppressing a negative emotion but about fostering positive qualities that lead to spiritual maturity and healthier community dynamics. As believers work towards this goal, they can experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment in their Christian walk, free from the shackles of envy.