In our journey through life, we often encounter situations that test our character and challenge our spiritual growth. One of the most insidious threats to our inner peace and spiritual well-being is the sin of envy. While it may seem harmless on the surface, envy can rot us from within, leading to destructive thoughts and actions that harm both ourselves and others.
The Bible speaks extensively about envy, warning us of its dangers and urging us to guard against it. In Galatians 5:19-21, we find envy listed among the “works of the flesh” – behaviors, attitudes, and actions that are contrary to God’s will for our lives. But what exactly is envy, and why is it so dangerous?
Envy: The Silent Destroyer
Envy goes beyond mere desire or admiration. It’s a toxic mixture of pain, discontent, and hatred sparked by seeing others’ success or superiority. It’s not just wanting what someone else has – it’s resenting them for having it and wishing ill upon them. The dictionary defines envy as “pain, uneasiness, mortification or discontent, excited by the sight of another’s superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred or malignity.”
This definition paints a vivid picture of the destructive nature of envy. It’s not just about coveting possessions or achievements; it’s about harboring ill will towards others and taking pleasure in their misfortune. Envy seeks to tear others down, diminish their worth, and elevate oneself at their expense.
The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings about envy. In Proverbs 14:30, we read, “A sound heart is the life of the flesh, but envy the rottenness of the bones.” This powerful metaphor illustrates how envy corrupts us from the inside out, weakening our spiritual foundation and poisoning our relationships.
From Envy to Action: The Slippery Slope
Perhaps one of the most chilling aspects of envy is its potential to escalate into more severe actions. The Bible draws a clear connection between envy and more egregious sins, including murder. We see this in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, where the religious leaders’ envy of Christ’s influence and power led them to orchestrate His death. In Matthew 27:18, we learn that it was out of envy that the religious leaders delivered Jesus to be crucified. Their jealousy of His popularity and influence led them to commit the ultimate act of injustice – the murder of the innocent Son of God.
This connection between envy and violence is not coincidental. The Bible often links these two sins, showing how unchecked envy can escalate to horrific acts. In Galatians 5:21, “envyings” is immediately followed by “murders” in the list of works of the flesh. This proximity is a stark reminder of how closely related these sins can be.
This progression from envy to more severe actions isn’t limited to biblical times. In our own lives, unchecked envy can lead to actions that harm others and ourselves. It might start with subtle attempts to undermine someone’s success or spread negative gossip, but it can escalate to more direct forms of sabotage or aggression.
The Prevalance Of Envy
But why is envy so prevalent, even among members of the body of Christ? The answer lies in “the flesh” and its ingrained habits and thought patterns, i.e., the residue stinking thinking of the “old man.” Before we come to faith in Christ, we are all prone to living in “malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). Even after we’re saved, we still struggle with the residual effects of the “old man”- what the Bible calls “the flesh.”
This is why believers must be vigilant against the creeping influence of envy in our minds. We may not commit murder, but how often do we find ourselves resenting others’ success, wishing for their downfall, or taking secret pleasure in their misfortunes? These attitudes, left unchecked, can lead us down a dangerous path.
At its core, envy originates in our minds via thoughts that have not been taken captive to the obedience of Christ (II Cor. 10:5). Jesus Himself pointed this out in Mark 7:21-23, saying, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
This passage reminds us that envy, like other sins, originates from within us. It’s not something external that happens to us but rather a reflection of our internal thought patterns. Recognizing this is crucial because it means the solution to envy must also come from within.
Overcoming Envy: A Spiritual Journey
So how do we combat envy in our lives? The answer lies in cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 presents the beautiful contrast to the works of the flesh: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
By walking in the Spirit and allowing Him to produce His fruit in our lives, we can overcome the temptation to envy. Love rejoices in others’ success rather than resenting it. Joy finds contentment in God’s blessings rather than coveting what others have. Peace rests in God’s provision instead of striving for what He hasn’t given us.
This list provides us with a roadmap for spiritual growth and an antidote to envy:
- Love: Cultivating genuine love for others makes it harder to resent their success.
- Joy: Finding joy in our blessings can reduce the tendency to covet what others have.
- Peace: Inner peace diminishes the turmoil that envy creates within us.
- Longsuffering: Developing patience helps us trust God’s timing for our success.
- Gentleness and Goodness: Actively practicing kindness toward others, especially those we might envy, can transform our hearts.
- Faith: Staying faithful to God’s word and finding our identity in Christ reduces the urge to compare ourselves to others.
- Meekness: A gentle spirit is less likely to harbor the harsh judgments that fuel envy.
- Temperance: Exercising self-control over our thoughts and actions is key to preventing envy from taking root.
Practically speaking, we can take several steps to guard against envy:
- Practice Gratitude: Regularly thank God for His blessings in your life. This helps shift your focus from what you lack to what you have.
- Celebrate Others’ Successes: Instead of resenting others’ achievements, genuinely rejoice with them. This act of love can help dissolve feelings of envy.
- Focus on Your Own Growth: Rather than comparing yourself to others, apply your identity in Christ to your life.
- Meditate on God’s Word: Regular study of Scripture can help renew your mind and align your thoughts with God’s perspective.
- Pray for those you’re tempted to envy: It’s hard to harbor ill will towards someone you’re earnestly praying for.
A Call to Reflection and Action
As we reflect on the dangers of envy, let’s remember that our ultimate goal is to reflect Christ’s character. Jesus, who had every right to all glory and honor, humbled Himself and became a servant (Philippians 2:5-8). He rejoiced in the Father’s will and found contentment in doing His work. By following His example and relying on the Holy Spirit’s power, we, too, can overcome envy and cultivate a heart of love, joy, and peace.
As we conclude, it’s important to recognize that struggling with envy doesn’t make us bad people. It makes us human. The key is how we respond to these feelings when they arise. Will we let them fester and grow, potentially leading to more destructive behaviors? Or will we recognize them as a call to grow spiritually, to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives?
Let’s challenge ourselves to be more aware of envy’s subtle influence in our lives. When we feel that twinge of resentment at someone else’s success or that desire to see someone fail, let’s pause. In that moment, we have a choice. We can either feed that envy or turn it into an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.
Remember, the goal isn’t to never feel envy – that’s unrealistic. The goal is to recognize it quickly, address it honestly, and respond to it in a way that aligns with God’s word. By doing so, we not only improve our own lives but also contribute to building up the body of Christ at large.
In a world that often fuels comparison and competition, choosing to cultivate love, joy, and contentment is a radical act. It’s a journey, not a destination, and every small step matters. So today, let’s commit to taking those steps, however small they may seem, towards a life free from the bondage of envy and rich in the fruit of the Spirit.
Pastor Bryan Ross
Grace Life Bible Church
Grand Rapids, MI
April 4, 2025
Resources For Further Study
61) Galatians 5:21 The Works Of The Flesh, Part 6 (Envyings & Murders) (YouTube Video)
What Is The Flesh? (Blog Article)
The War Within: Understanding the Flesh and the Spirit (Blog Article)
The Works of the Flesh: A Spiritual Checklist (Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, & Lasciviousness) (Blog Article)
The Works of the Flesh: A Spiritual Checklist, Part 2 (Witchcraft) (Blog Article)
The Works of the Flesh: A Spiritual Checklist, Part 3 (Hatred, Variance, & Emulations) (Blog Article)
The Works of the Flesh: A Spiritual Checklist, Part 4 (Wrath, Strife, & Sedition) (Blog Article)
The Works of the Flesh: A Spritual Checklist, Part 5 (Heresy) (Blog Article)