Proverbs 14:30(KJV)
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
From the above Scripture, envy is deadly. It destroys the soul, body, and life. Envy distorts the rational thinking process of the envious and makes such a fellow more subjective than objective. In other words, envy takes us to the lake of fire, which will pervert our thinking, torture our minds, ruin our health, consume our bodies, wreck our reputation, and destroy our lives. Envy is dangerous because it can trigger a chain of adverse events in the life of the envious. It is the midwife of jealousy and grandparents to character assassination and murder. Envy is a poison that destroys us from within, producing bitterness that eats away at our hearts and minds. Envy, if allowed, is dangerous to the well-being of the soul. It tends to pride; it contaminates and can eventually lead to self-destruction. Envying others will only earn us the displeasure and judgment of God. The mark of a place where there is envy is confusion and evil. James 3:14-16 says, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Envy is an issue of the heart and one of many inward vices or heart attitudes that defile a person.
Envy is condemned in the Word of God and is listed among the works of the flesh. It is written in Job 5:2, “For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” Envy is a terrible character flaw that everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior must completely give up. As Christians, we must thoroughly guard our hearts against envy. This is only possible when the self is crucified. Many believers are still struggling with the self, and where the self exists, envy will thrive. Most criticisms and complaints today are acts rooted in envy and jealousy. Some people go to any extent to discredit, poison, afflict, and destroy their own out of envy. Cain, the older brother, killed Abel out of envy because God looked favorably toward the younger brother’s sacrifice but did not accept his offering. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram paid dearly for the envy that led them to rebel against their leader Moses (Numbers 16:1-3). God publicly set them aside to show everyone that they had done the wrong thing. God, who earlier appointed them as leaders under Moses, openly discredited them, and the ground swallowed them up together with their households. Envy made sure their generation was terminated.
Beloved, the price for envy can be very costly. Do not waste your time envying others in life, as it can lead to losing your blessings and harming future generations. Instead of being envious of those blessed by God, learn from them, as their blessings will not diminish yours. Choose to be content and at peace. Find happiness regardless of your situation, for God has a unique plan for you based on your talents, gifts, and needs. Instead of allowing envy to consume you, choose gratitude and practice contentment. By focusing on what you have rather than what you lack, you will experience greater fulfillment and well-being. Envy steals joy and distracts you from the blessings God has in store for you. Repent and change your ways before it’s too late. Pray for the love of God to fill your heart. Reject envy entirely and do not entertain the idea that you can thrive while being envious. Remember, walk by the Spirit, live by the Spirit, and stay in step with the Spirit, and your life will bear the fruit of the Spirit.
O Lord, in your mercy, uproot and destroy completely every trace of envy in my heart in Jesus’ Name.