wish you had. How can your belief in the gospel— in what you have in Christ— undermine envy?
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?( Proverbs 27:4)
The evil of envy. This says jealousy can be more harmful than anger. Why? Envy is wanting someone else’ s life. But it is not just that. In envy we don’ t just want other people’ s lives; we resent and begrudge them their lives. In praise you recognize people who are better than you and you rejoice in it. But in envy you recognize people who are better off and you burn with bitterness. John Gielgud, the great British actor, in his autobiography said,“ When Sir Laurence Olivier played Hamlet in 1948 and the critics raved, I wept.”
Envy is being unhappy at other people’ s happiness. Envy weeps because of those who are rejoicing and rejoices if they are weeping. It is the exact opposite of the godly state of mind( Romans 12:5). And the best way to stop it is to look at Jesus, about whom it could be truly said,“ In all their distress he too was distressed”( Isaiah 63:9).
Is there someone you feel has the life you deserve more? Is that belief and feeling diminishing your happiness to any degree? What can you do about it?
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.... Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the
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