Beware of Envy

One danger God’s people face is envy—wanting what others have. But God expects us to replace envy with peace of mind.

Envy is an exceedingly powerful emotion. It will consume you, distort your understanding and make you miserable.

We can easily become envious of the glamorous lifestyles of celebrities—even when those people have no regard for God or His laws. But even the rich and famous can and do experience envy. Envy truly is a spiritual virus that can affect all people—rich, poor, famous or obscure.

Complications of envy

James 3:16 gives us some insight into envy: “For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices” (Amplified Bible). Envy does not stand alone. It is accompanied by many ungodly practices. Envy is one of the many results of rejecting God’s influence over our lives (Romans 1:29). Human nature naturally practices envy toward what it does not have.

Asaph’s envy for the wicked

Asaph, one of the composers of the book of Psalms, had a problem with envy at one point in his life. Reading through one of his psalms shows us the change of perspective he needed to overcome it!

Psalm 73:2-6 reveals the envy he dealt with: “But I almost stumbled and fell, because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people and to watch them prosper. They never have to suffer, they stay healthy, and they don’t have troubles like everyone else. Their pride is like a necklace, and they commit sin more often than they dress themselves” (Contemporary English Version).

Asaph’s envy had apparently distorted his perception of the wicked and of God. His envy caused him to grow weary and wonder if there was any value in living the right way, because it seemed to him like the wicked always prospered. In verse 13, he asks what good came out of his obedience. Asaph allowed envy to confuse and discourage him. But he didn’t lose heart, and neither should we (Galatians 6:9). We must not let envy for what others have cause us to become discouraged and stop obeying God.

Asaph did eventually gain a proper perspective (Psalm 73:17-27). He began to understand that the wicked would eventually experience the consequences of their actions. Asaph finally realized that no one can scorn and mock God without reaping the consequences (Galatians 6:7-8). Now that God had given Asaph understanding, he could clearly see things from God’s perspective. He came to understand that despite what the wicked did or had, his personal responsibility was to “draw near to God” (Psalm 73:28).

Lucifer envies God

The Bible presents an ancient example of the destructive consequences of envy. Lucifer (the one we now know as Satan) was so embittered by envy of his Creator that he attempted to take over the throne of the universe and declare himself God (Isaiah 14:13-14). Lucifer was already the pinnacle of God’s angelic creation, but that was not enough for him (Ezekiel 28:12). He wanted more for himself. His envy and pride resulted in his being thrown out of heaven and becoming the twisted and evil being he is today (Luke 10:18).

Envy destroys

God has revealed the powerful and destructive nature of envy. It will wreak emotional havoc in your life. If you are currently in the clutches of envy, you must take immediate action. Go to God in fasting and prayer—and ask for help to be relieved of envy, so that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

For more help on how to not want what others have, read our blog “How to Overcome Jealousy.”

Leon Leonard is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association's Cleveland, Ohio, congregation.