Envy...another kick at unity
My Ungers Bible Dictionary defines envy as "that malignant passion that sees in another qualities that it covets, often resulting in hate of their possessor". Is it not evident that envy that manifested in hatred sent Jesus to the cross? Matthew 27:18 says "for he knew (Pilate) it was out of envy that they (the Pharisees) handed Jesus over to him".
Envy kills...Cain was envious of Abel's relationship with God.
Or at the very least, envy creates a murderous heart. Jesus equated hatred in the heart for a brother or sister with murder. Saul was envious of David's anointing and tried to hunt him down, to kill him. Joseph's brothers were envious of his gifting and favoured son position, and sold him into slavery only after coming to their senses in not killing him. The older brother in the parable of the prodigal son was envious of his younger brother being bestowed forgiveness and grace, and who knows what happened to his heart. So we can become envious of another person's anointing and spiritual gifting, position, or even salvation, those being the less obvious, but more insidious aspects of envy. Then there are those things that seem to be more obvious objects of envy, like some one's personal or vocational success, possessions, looks, career, or personality/charisma, to name a few.
The Unger's dictionary also elaborates on it's definition of envy..."envying is ill will, malice, spite. It always desires and often strives to degrades others, not so much because it aspires after elevation as because it delights in obscuring those who are more deserving. It is one of the most odious and detestable of vices".
So, going back to James 3:13 - 17...the apostle wrote:
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness".
It seems the first bastion against envy forming is humility. We need to be humble (or humbled by His grace) to avoid becoming envious.
It seems the thing to do when we discover envy in our hearts is to "not boast about it or deny the truth". Neither boast, nor hide it, but confess it. It is my absolute belief that the best way to loose the power of a strong hold already formed or attempting to form is to bring it into the Light. Sin and darkness cannot stand the Light.
When we do not confess envy, but rather, let it form, it hardens our hearts, makes us hate, and drives us into dis-unity. As demonstrated by the early church, their unity - their being in one accord in love of Christ and service to one another - was the single most impactful reason they bore such fruit. Conversely, dis-unity borne out of envy is the single most impactful inhibitor of fruitfulness (in my humble opinion).
How can we be called peacemakers if we have envy in our hearts towards others? And how do we raise a harvest of righteousness if we are envious and in discord?
I have been pondering alot about envy lately, in light of scripture, my heart's desire to know Him more, and what I perceive as a lack of fruit in this particular season of my life right now (though Jim says that it's because of work and school...that's an easy answer, and one that does not stand up to scrutiny). One thing that has occurred to me is that envy is much more subtle and deceitful than we think. For example, when we hear of some one's failing and get that split second kick of glee at their failing, that is envy too. Or when we think..."well, at least I'm not THAT bad"...that is envy. In fact, I would broaden envy to include it's infant...comparison. The minute we begin to compare ourselves with another, whether it be their gifting and fruit or their failing and sin, we begin to sow the first seeds of envy.
Comparison - humility = envy
Envy + pride = hate
Hate + one or two others = discord (the opposite of one accord)
Discord = 0 fruit
And in keeping with James admonition to "speak the truth", I confess...I compare myself to others, and have envy in my heart. There are times when I hear of some one's failing and take a secret delight in it, thinking "phew, I'm not that bad!". There are times when I want what other's have, either by way of ministry, gifting, or even possessions and financial blessing, thinking, "why doesn't God bless me like that, I've been good and obedient". It pains me to think how easily it was/is for me to go from being the humble and truly grateful prodigal daughter to the envious, complaining, "dutiful" one so quickly, all because of envy.
Because envy is so insidious and likes to hide behind other justifications, here are some things that I'm wondering are indicators of envy...
- gossiping about a person
- lack of prayer and intercession for the person
- thinking about them more than is warranted or usual
- resistance towards them (knee jerk opposition to things they suggest or say)
Finally, I find it interesting that it was James who had the most to say about envy and it's debilitating effect on the Body of Christ. He was after all, Jesus little brother. According to some scholars, James and his other brothers opposed Jesus in His earthly ministry and only came to believe on Him after His resurrection. Could James have harboured envy in his heart towards Jesus, growing up in the shadow of such a Man? If so, then he of all people ought to know.
Father, forgive my envy, and help my envy, that I may be love as You love.
Amen.
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