S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

First Corinthians 13 offers one of the Bible's richest expositions regarding love. Verse 4 notes that love "does not envy." So, selfish jealousy is at odds with God's type of love. The Greek word t...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

I have been envious of way too many people and their lifestyles in my life. May God forgive me! I have confessed these sins.

Maybe one friend was promoted, another published a book, and yet another is at a beach resort. Rather than rejoice with others, it is easy to allow envy to rot our bones. Michael mentioned this verse, Proverbs 14:30. The image is graphic. To rot is to waste away, to eat away at something. Envy destroys us.

--Today in the Word

Here is an example of envy in the Old Testament: Genesis 30:1 "And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, 'Give me children, or else I die.'"

The power of envy is stated in Prov 27:4: "Who is able to stand before envy?" (the Revised Version (British and American) "jealousy"); its evil effects are depicted in Job 5:2 (the Revised Version (British and American) "jealousy"), in Prov 14:30 (the Revised Version, margin "jealousy"); it led to the crucifixion of Christ (Mt 27:18 Pilate knew why the Jewish leaders had brought Jesus to him. They were jealous because people liked Jesus so much.; Mk 15:10); it is one of "the works of the flesh" (Gal 5:21; compare Rom 1:29; 1 Tim 6:4); Christian believers are earnestly warned against it (Rom 13:13 the King James Version; 1 Cor 3:3 the King James Version; Gal 5:26; 1 Pet 2:1). W. L. Walker (ISBE)

Envy definitely then is a sin to avoid!

July 24 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report