Envy
Envy
If you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (James 3:14–15)
What Is Envy?
Envy is the feeling you get when somebody else has what you want, and you resent them for having it, even if you don’t really need it. Envy persuades you that you’ll never have enough money or stuff to be happy. It turns you against others for simply enjoying their blessings from God. It rots you from the inside out (see Prov. 14:30).
Once you succumb to envy, you can never be satisfied. Even if you receive today what you so desperately longed for yesterday, tomorrow you will envy something flashier and better. Envy detonates a chain reaction: envy, scarcity, self-pity, and hatred. Today’s verse calls it “demonic.” Dark forces nurture envy to such a degree that Jesus died because of it (see Mark 15:10).
Releasing Envy
Two secrets can move you toward contentment:
1. Operate in the opposite spirit. When envy tempts you to criticize, offer praise instead. When envy tempts you to acquire and hold, choose open-handed generosity. Instead of wishing a person ill, pray for God’s increased blessing on them.
2. Operate in the Holy Spirit. There’s nothing wrong with desire. Our problem is that we sometimes desire stuff more than God. We need a stronger bond with God so He can trust us with the other desires of our hearts.
Bottom Line
The biggest problem with envy isn’t that you want other people’s stuff—it’s that you don’t want God enough.