Banes S. Lal
Envy is a common human emotion that can lead to many negative consequences if not dealt with properly. From a biblical perspective, envy is seen as a sin that can harm individuals and communities.
Envy is mentioned throughout the Bible, starting with the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Cain became envious of his brother Abel, who God favoured. This envy led Cain to commit the first murder in human history.
Envy is a killing and murdering passion. It also highlights the importance of making choices that align with our values and beliefs, even when difficult or unpopular. The passage from Matthew 27:15-18 also serves as a reminder of the power of envy and jealousy to distort our judgments and decisions; as covetousness sold Christ, so envy delivered him.
Envy is also listed as one of the many sins in the Bible. In Galatians 5:19-21, it says, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." These verses show us that envy is not only harmful to us in this life but can also lead to spiritual consequences in the afterlife.
Several times in the Bible, it is mentioned that envy is often in the context of warning against its dangers. Proverbs 14:30 states, "A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones." This verse highlights the destructive nature of envy, which can lead to physical and emotional harm. When we envy others, we are not at peace with ourselves, which can negatively affect our well-being.
Similarly, James 3:14-16 warns against envy, stating, "But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." This passage makes it clear that envy is not a positive attribute and can even be linked to demonic influence plus, it can lead to chaos and destruction in our lives and those around us.
Envy can also lead to feelings of discontentment and a lack of gratitude. Instead of being thankful for what we have, we focus on what others have and feel that we are somehow lacking. This can lead to a cycle of unhappiness and dissatisfaction. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." We can find peace and fulfillment when we trust in God and are content with what we have.
One of the most well-known stories in the Bible about envy is the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37. Joseph's brothers became jealous of him because their father favoured him, and this envy led them to sell Joseph into slavery. However, in the end, Joseph forgave his brothers and showed them grace, which teaches us that envy can be overcome through forgiveness and love.
So, what can we learn from these biblical passages about envy? First, we must recognize that envy is a sin that can harm us and others. We must be aware of our feelings of envy and take steps to overcome them. This can be done through prayer and seeking guidance from God.
Second, we must practice forgiveness and love. As I stated earlier, envy can lead to bitterness and resentment. Still, through forgiveness, we can let go of those negative feelings and show love and grace to others.
We must remember that we are all equal in God's eyes. It's easy to become envious of others who seem to have more than us. Still, we must remember that we are all valuable in God's eyes, and He has a unique plan for each of our lives.
As Christians, we should strive to be content with what we have and trust in God's plan for our lives. We should also be mindful of the dangers of envy and seek to avoid it in our own lives. Let us heed the call to choose the path of light and love.
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