Essayist Joseph Epstein writes, “Of the seven deadly sins, only envy is no fun at all.” He goes on to say that envy makes us look “ungenerous, mean, and small-hearted.” There’s plenty of research to back up Epstein’s statement. In fact, psychologists have found that envy decreases life satisfaction and diminishes well-being. It’s correlated with depression and neuroticism, and the hostility envy breeds may actually make us physically sick.
Saul fell into the trap of social comparison, and it definitely decreased his happiness. After David had been anointed king by Samuel and had been doing things “successfully,” Saul took him in and set him over his men of war (1 Samuel 18:5). Saul desired that David be victorious, but he was not happy when women came out of “all the towns of Israel” to sing David’s praise as a victor (1 Samuel 18:6). They sang a song that intimated that Saul was a pretty good fighter, but David—the new commander on the block—was ten times better!
Hearing all the praise heaped on David, Saul was displeased and became angry (1 Samuel 18:8). He simply couldn’t handle the greater success his right-hand man was enjoying. As a result, from that day forward Saul treated David with suspicion.
Just as being envious was inconsistent with what it meant to be God’s king, it’s also inconsistent with the gospel (James 3:14-15). Envy hinders growth in grace, is hurtful to those who envy, and is a root of all kinds of disorder. Let’s deal swiftly with it by recognizing that God is both sovereign and gracious, by responding to His grace with gratitude, and by celebrating the good things He’s doing in and through us and others.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 6:1-28
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4 to see what it means to live out of love and not out of envy.
Next:
Are you jealous or envious of anyone in your life? How is being envious of someone else robbing you of joy? What can you thank God for today?
Gary Shultz on June 2, 2016 at 6:08 am
Marvin you do show us once again that the words of Solomon are still true, “there is nothing new under the sun”. We may add tech we may splash new colors and fashion about, but in the heart we still stumble over the same things. Jesus continually could not get people to see the Kingdom, they would not look to Him only the small world they could see. Even those closest to Him, squabbled over rank and position. If we find ourselves in that state, as God’s child, we have some quick work to do. Those attitudes must be confessed and laid before God, then we better see our blessing are not so small that they are bound up here on earth. A small unhappy life will be had for those who will not look to what God has promised. The cleaning of envy and the like will come by a change of attitude, confession, and by thankfulness and praise. Thanks Marvin
godlove on June 2, 2016 at 10:24 am
Gary, you could even go as far back as the first family to walk the earth, when we had the first case of fractricidal murder caused by jealousy!! I guess the human heart hasn’t changed much since the Fall. Thank God for the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ to save us all.
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 7:51 am
Well, Marvin, I must say that your title piqued my curiosity this morning. Then with one look at the image, I knew. It was about the green-eyed monster. The girl’s face said it all. Jealousy and envy: two sides of the same coin. As I read the passage I was reminded once again how jealousy has its root in fear. It is a fear of loss. Envy wants what someone else has, but jealousy is a fear that someone is going to take what you have. Saul definitely dealt with both. He feared the loss of his position, prestige, and power. He wanted the popularity that David was apparently experiencing. It was too much for him to see how “the LORD was with David ” but had withdrawn Himself from him. He became completely irrational. He went mad. This green-eyed monster is vicious, isn’t it? James warns us of that in chapter 4 verses 1 and 2. It’s a major player in discord and feuds. The only way out of it is to take it to the cross, stop making comparisons, humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, learn to be content in present circumstances, and put on gratitude. Your title is spot on, Marvin—envy and jealousy are not pleasurable sins. They make us and everyone around us unhappy. Appreciate this today. Thanks
hsnpoor on June 2, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Yes, yes & yes, GAgirl–my thoughts exactly! Marvin, the only thing that could have made that photo on this devotion any better is if the blonde girl had big, blazing green eyes!
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 8:56 am
Question: What do you do when you are the target of a jealous spirit? Do you do like David and run and hideout in a cave? 🙂 (Figuratively speaking, of course.) From observation and past experience, the jealous person will not respond well to confrontation. So far, prayer and handling with care has not diminished it. Any thoughts anyone?
hsnpoor on June 2, 2016 at 1:04 pm
I would treat them like a frienenmy as advised in Romans 12:20 and Proverbs 25:22 (slay them with kindness). Confrontation doesn’t work because, whether we like it or not, our own pride will rear it’s ugly head in the act of confrontation.
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 1:31 pm
No, I’m not usually one to confront. I’ve seen that backfire, even while prayerfully and carefully carrying out the Matthew 18 mandate. Also, acts and attitudes of kindness are met seemingly with more venom. Hmm…I wait prayerfully and patiently for God. It’s His battle. Thanks, hsnpoor.
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Frenemy…interesting word, isn’t it? (I know what it means. It’s just funny how we make new words.)
hsnpoor on June 2, 2016 at 3:29 pm
I know….. 1st time I’ve ever used it in a sentence….not even sure of the spelling, but glad you understood….:). I didn’t go to the Mt. 18 model because it’s not really you who have the ought, but rather the other person who has the ought against you. You’re right though, any battle enjoined belongs to the Lord. Sdwise did give wise counsel below, as well. Perhaps the reason there are so many Biblical options is because every person and situation is different and it takes prayer to determine which blueprint is the best course of action for the circumstances and personality involved. That said, my personal favorite is to kill ’em with kindness…:)
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 3:46 pm
No worries, friend. Believe me…I’m the last person to be a grammar police. 🙂 I knew how to spell that one because I just read about it in an e-magazine article. You do make some valid points about the different things to consider in dealing with a situation like this. All in all, I’ve got to love and be good to my “frenemy”. Not easy and not an option. I will Philippians 4: 13 it and go forward in His power. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement today!
sdwise on June 2, 2016 at 10:01 am
One other example of jeolousy in the bible is Joseph’s brothers who because of their jealousy of him sold him into slavery. Looking at his story from slavery to becoming second in command to pharoah, sometimes you have to stay and pray as you are going through trials, and sometimes you have to flee exercising forgiveness all the way. First you must pray for the person. Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”. Then I believe the Holy Spirit will direct you on what to do.
godlove on June 2, 2016 at 10:19 am
sdwise, I don’t know whether you meant it but this is a great response to gagirllive’s question (above)… isn’t it, gagirl?
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 10:36 am
Yes, it is.
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 10:42 am
Another good example, sdwise, and biblical advice on how to deal with it.
godlove on June 2, 2016 at 10:14 am
Envy comes from an ungrateful heart. I believe it is not possible to envy what anyone else has when you are grateful about what you have been graciously given. I think if we look at it from the perspective that it’s by God’s grace that we are blessed, we will understand that there is no point being envious of anybody because we then see that God, in His infinite wisdom, chooses how and when to bless everyone. Thanks for this lesson Marvin.
samgaskill on June 2, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Hi there friends! Enjoyed the time to check in with this forum today. Love the thoughtful comments and the desire to grow I always find here. Lord bless you each and everyone! Georgia girl I was just about to comment on your question but I see that sdwise already answered wisely using Joseph and the envy of his brothers. Love, being my favorite topic to chat about I have this to add. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love allows us to see sin in others and extend grace without judgement; love allows us to see even the sin in ourselves and be forgiven, love has the power to heal. An envious heart is a sick heart. Also, as godlove said “envy comes from an ungrateful heart.” Until we receive the life-giving love of our Savior it is easy to give in to comparison, to see ourselves as the world tells us we are……flawed! We cannot accept that we are good enough, or pretty enough, or smart enough when comparison exists. Only God can provide the unconditional acceptance and love we CRAVE. He takes away our need to compare, judge ourselves and one another and place value on money, good looks, achievements and such. This is behind many an envious thought. Seeking after what the world seeks. The only remedy is the healing we receive when eternal values replace worldly ones. We can never know the family and life dynamics of another. So we must choose grace and ask God to help us see with eyes of compassion the “other guy” that we might by His love and power help restore them to wholeness and perhaps get a glimpse of Him in us! Envy might just fall off when we build up another with the love and kindness God has shown us in our weaknesses…….helping them to see their value through the eyes of God; and never again through the faulty eyes of man. Love being with you all in spirit!!!
gagirllive on June 2, 2016 at 1:38 pm
I have missed you, samgaskill! Thanks for weighing in today. Yes, love is the key. It’s a spiritual weapon that brings healing instead of wounding. Not happening at the moment, but I’m hopeful. Paying close attention to my own heart in this journey. Your insight is good medicine. Thanks, friend.