Envy - Bone Cancer
Proverbs 14:30 - A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
The first reported case of envy is recorded in Genesis 4, although some are of the opinion that it existed even before in Lucifer. That. in my opinion is far-fetched. The Bible tells us that Cain was envious that God accepted his brother's offering and rejected his. Envy turned into jealously. It later became hatred and eventfully conceived the first murder.
Solomon, in his God given wisdom, has equated envy to that of bone marrow cancer.Cancer is a deadly disease even today. And so is envy. From bone cancer arises various other form of cancers including leukemia. And so is envy. If not checked, proliferates into various other deadly evils.
On English dictionary describes envy as a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions. Jealousy on the other hand is defined as a feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages
Discontent or covetousness mutates into resentment and if not apprehended leads to death. That is why the last law of the moral code (10 commandments) given to Moses in Ex 20: 17 was - "Thou shall not covert... anything that belongs to your neighbor.” This is becasue envy or covetousness is the root of a number of other human misdemeanors.
A good example will again be King Saul. He was at first rejoicing that God gave the victory over Goliath through a young lad. He complimented David. (1 Sam 18:1-5). But when the women sang, "Saul hath slain the thousands, and David his ten thousands, envy crept in.(1 Sam 18: 6-10) It then led to resentment (jealousy) and we there witnessed the conception of the first attempted murder. Subsequently the resentment turned hatred and that led Saul to chase David for a good ten years until Saul fell to his own death. That's the consequence of envy. Its not the other who will die as a result, but YOU.
One of the things I have observed in many Christians and many times I have become a victim myself, is that when others get favor, others do well, others are blessed, a sense of envy creeps in. Especially those with whom we have a problem, those who have caused us hurt and pain. We just cannot see them get promoted and blessed. We assume that we are the better and deserve the better. The other, "our adversary", although we don't use such words, deserve the worst. The tongue will say things that the heart does not agree. Outwardly we seem to rejoice and congratulate them but inwardly there is a feeling of dissatisfaction, a burning sensation that eventually leads to resentment. Don't use other names. Admit it...ITS ENVY. Sounds familiar??
A good example will again be King Saul. He was at first rejoicing that God gave the victory over Goliath through a young lad. He complimented David. (1 Sam 18:1-5). But when the women sang, "Saul hath slain the thousands, and David his ten thousands, envy crept in.(1 Sam 18: 6-10) It then led to resentment (jealousy) and we there witnessed the conception of the first attempted murder. Subsequently the resentment turned hatred and that led Saul to chase David for a good ten years until Saul fell to his own death. That's the consequence of envy. Its not the other who will die as a result, but YOU.
One of the things I have observed in many Christians and many times I have become a victim myself, is that when others get favor, others do well, others are blessed, a sense of envy creeps in. Especially those with whom we have a problem, those who have caused us hurt and pain. We just cannot see them get promoted and blessed. We assume that we are the better and deserve the better. The other, "our adversary", although we don't use such words, deserve the worst. The tongue will say things that the heart does not agree. Outwardly we seem to rejoice and congratulate them but inwardly there is a feeling of dissatisfaction, a burning sensation that eventually leads to resentment. Don't use other names. Admit it...ITS ENVY. Sounds familiar??
We can hide it for a while but soon it will become obvious. It will be seen in the form of backbiting,
grudges, hatred, reviling, slander, or whispering. It will soon be exposeed.
It may consume your health directly through a stress-filled and angry,
bitter heart; or it may ruin your body.
What causes envy?
Firstly my observation from the life of King Saul is that envy crept in when his "Self" or "I" got rejected, hurt or debased. Verse 8 - “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands." Isn't it true that many times when our ego gets deflated, it opens a back door for envy to creep in.
Secondly, Saul continued to give attention to that thought. Verse 9 - And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. When the mind begins to ruse over the matter, start planning things against the person, later start talking with others about that person,..you are on the way to destruction.
How to overcome envy?
On the other side of Saul and opposite to David is another young man called Jonathan. If anyone is to be dissatisfied or envious, it should be him. David is on the way to strip him of his throne and turn the tide for his future generation. But Jonathan knew that God had appointed David to be the next king (23:17). How did he react? Certainly not with envy or hatred. Herein lies a sober lesson for us:
First Jonathan responded with love instead of hatred. (1 Sam 18:1)
- Luke 6:27-28 - Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. This can only happen when one is full of the Holy Spirit because the fruit of the Spirit is love...
Second, he recognized God's purpose and plan for him and for David. God is in charge
- 1 Sam 23:17 - You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you.
- 1 Sam 20:32 - Why should he be put to death? What has he done?
- 1 Sam 20:42 - Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever. Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town
- 1 Sam 23:18 - The two of them made a covenant before the Lord.
Envy may be the cancer but Jesus is the answer. We can live lives without envy and please God.
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! - Billy Graham
Envy can shrink our circle of friends, ruin our business,
and dwarf our souls. I have seen hundreds cursed by it! - Billy Graham
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