James
3:13-18
“Oh, how I wish I had what he has!” “If only I could enjoy that kind of vacation….” “My life would be so much better if I had a spouse like that.” “I wish I could look like that!” Envy is born out of seeing what someone else has and wishing we had it…wishing it were ours and not theirs. “Envy is resentment or sadness at another’s good fortune or excellence, …is more than simple jealousy because it includes the belief that another’s excellence or blessings lessens one’s own….” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/envy)
Psychological and medical studies reveal that envy leads to anxiety,
insomnia, depression, cancer, and cardiovascular disease—all from feeling like
our lives are lacking compared to others. On television, in movies, and on
social media, we see people living amazing lives, eating exotic foods, enjoying
obviously fulfilling relationships with the most attractive, fun, or clever
people. We make hundreds if not thousands of comparisons every day…and we find
our lives wanting.
Interestingly, “envy” comes from the Latin “Invidia” which
means “not-sight.” While we are seeing and comparing ourselves to what we see
on screens and in neighbors’ yards and in the work place, there is so much that
we do not see. You and I know people who look amazing on Facebook, who look
happy and “put together.” But the reality behind the image is brokenness, pain,
loss, anger, and a host of other things. We would do well to stop ourselves when
we see someone who seems to have what we want and remember there is much we do not
see.
In Mark 7, Jesus calls envy “evil,” and in I Cor. 13, Paul
points out that envy has no place in the life of Christian love. Our Christian
ancestors were very right to include this among the deadly sins—this sin of
envy breaks relationships and robs us of life. So what do we do? As we have
seen all through this study of deadly sins, we know that envy is best replaced
than merely erased.
In Philippians 4:5-7, Paul calls us to reject anxiety (a
direct effect of envy) and embrace a life of “thanksgiving,” of gratitude. Rather
than compare ourselves to others, we become grateful for what we have. We recognize
that we will always have those around who have more and better and newer…and we
must realize that we will always have those around us who have less and older. Instead
of comparing, imagine being content, realizing that we are blessed in what we
do have. Let us learn to be a thankful people and let go of being an envious people.
Paul reminds us, “…godliness with contentment is great gain. For
we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Tim.
6:6-7).
Sunday, July 20, 2025
“Seven Deadly Sins Life-Giving Virtues”
Watch/Listen: HERE
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