The Sin of Envy
The Sin of Envy
Proverbs 23:17 Envy can be one of the most destructive of all sins, which is why we should do everything we can do keep it away
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always.”
Proverbs 23:17 NASB1995
Continuing through the Seven Deadly Sins, we come to Envy. In Latin, the word is invidia, and it is described as a “resentful covetousness towards the traits or possessions of someone else.”
Envy comes in all sorts of flavors. We may envy a celebrity who is incredibly talented or good-looking, or envy a neighbor who just rolled in with a new sports car. It happens in the workplace when someone receives a promotion or raise that we think we deserve instead, or when awards are given for “top employee” and we’re not the recipient. Envy is similar to jealousy, but there’s a major difference — the envious desire the other person’s trait, status, abilities or rewards, and may act upon that desire.
It’s the subject of one of the Ten Commandments (#10): “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
St. Thomas Aquinas referred to three stages of the struggle ignited by envy:
During the first stage, the envious person attempts to lower another’s reputation (“Chuck really didn’t deserve that promotion, because he doesn’t have a college degree)”
In the middle stage, the envious person receives “joy at another’s misfortune” if he succeeds in defaming the other person or “grief at another’s prosperity” if he fails in doing so (either “Good! Chuck got that promotion pulled from him after I told everyone about his lack of education” or “I’m really unhappy that upper management decided to give Chuck the promotion even though he’s uneducated”).
The third stage is hatred… because “sorrow causes hatred” (“I’m never going to talk to Chuck or help him out again, because he got that promotion I wanted.”)
Wikipedia notes that “according to the most widely accepted views, only pride weighs down the soul more than envy among the capital sins.” In the Book of Wisdom by Solomon (not part of the Bible), chapter 2 verse 24 links envy with Satan, saying “the envy of the devil brought death to the world.”
Envy can be one of the most destructive sins, destroying relationships, leading to crimes like theft or murder, and causing a deep unhappiness in our souls. In many cases, we may be envying people who are the worst kinds of sinners, placing our desire to be like them or have their possessions ahead of God.
That’s where today’s verse from Proverbs provides timeless advice. When envy enters our hearts and minds, it is time to pause and remember the blessings that God has provided, and not covet what others have. Live in fear of the Lord, and realize how envy can drive you to sin even more.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Lord, please remove all envy and hatred from my mind, heart, and soul. None of these thoughts or feelings bring glory to Your Name, so they have no place in my life. Remove every spirit of covetousness and viciousness from me, as they discourage me and misdirect my purpose in life. Help me to control all emotions and selfish ambitions in me that spark envious fury. I pray this in Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN.