Christian Living

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What is envy or jealousy?

Billy Graham, reflecting on the problem of envy, writes: "Envy can ruin reputations, split churches, and cause murders. Envy can shrink our circle of friends, ruin our business, and dwarf our souls .... I have seen hundreds cursed by it."

According to an ancient Greek legend, a certain runner placed second in a race competition. The winner of the race was well prized, and eventually a statue was erected in his honor. Envy struck deeply the man who had placed second. He resented the first placer so much that he decided to destroy the statue made for him.

Under cover of darkness, he went to the statue of the winner, chiseling away its figure and the foundation. But one night, while he was chiseling in rage, the statue crashed down on him. He died beneath the weight of the statue of the man he had grown to envy and hate. His own envy destroyed him.

Indeed, an envious person exhibits numerous forms of negative behavior. He may be slandering or downgrading the one he's envious with in an effort to enhance his own self-esteem. Robert Morgan describes that criticism as "nothing more than low-grade envy." He may be irritable and stubborn. He can easily get suspicious. An envious person may get high strung, nervous and even violent.

Friend, as you can see, envy is a self-destructive feeling. If you always experience this, you need to overcome it! Now the question is, "How?"

First of all, you need to recognize that underlying envy are always strong feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Such insecurities usually stem from childhood ridicule, rejection, criticism, or severe punishment. Varied kinds of deprivations like poverty and parental favoritism are possible sources of envious reactions or severe emotional disturbances.

Obviously, you need to deal with parts of your inner life on a deeper level to overcome envy. Since we are all human, we are prone to many types of envy and jealousy. "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" (Mark 7: 21-23).

Spiritual development is therefore a most influential factor in overcoming feelings of envy. When a person's mind is not controlled by God's love and will, he tends to compare his situation with that of others and then becomes envious. As one comes to see the importance of seeking eternal values, his need to gain approval lessens. It also makes him less focused to compete for worldly desires.

Friend, allow no feelings of envy to take the luster off your spirit! Be victorious over this enemy of your soul.

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