Envy

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/05/21

Imagine a man who is happily married to a woman whose physical and emotional companionship he values and cherishes. He is successful in his profession. His children are well-behaved and accomplished. He is satisfied with his life until he attends his twentieth college reunion.

This is where he makes a crucial mistake. He tells himself that many of his former classmates have achieved a higher social and professional status than he. He also mistakenly believes that they are married to more educated and more attractive wives and that they have more money and have traveled more often than he has.

A sense of failure begins to grow in his heart. Once a happy man, he is now wrongly focused on his circumstances. He loses his peace and contentment to envy.

Proverbs 14:30 states, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” King Ahab of Israel had everything. But he wanted a vineyard that was close to his palace. When Naboth refused to sell, Ahab pouted and sulked until his wicked wife, Jezebel, plotted to kill Naboth and to take his field to satisfy the envy of King Ahab (see 1 Kings 21).

There are people who have everything and are still envious for more. Even King David coveted what another man had. As a result of his actions, he committed adultery and murder, harming his fellowship with God and thereby destroying his peace.

Envy always leads to strife and a loss of peace. Are you longing for what you cannot have? Look to Jesus. Only He can satisfy the desires of your heart. He alone brings peace and contentment to your life.

Prayer: God, search my heart and reveal where I need to confess my sin of envy. I accept that only You can satisfy any desire I have. May Your peace descend over my life and settle in my heart, that I would not be roused by false needs. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).