The Deadly Sin of Envy
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
Envy is considered one of the “seven deadly sins.” And for good reason. If covetousness is desiring another person’s traits, status, abilities or rewards for yourself, envy takes it a step further. It’s not only desiring that for yourself but wanting to deprive the other person from having it.
And this can in fact turn deadly.
Consider the case of Wanda Holloway, the Texas cheerleader mom. If you remember the 1994 story, Wanda Holloway’s daughter had tried out for a spot on her junior high cheerleading squad but lost out to another girl.
Wanda was livid that someone else should have the spot she felt her daughter deserved. So, in her envy, she contacted her ex-brother-in-law to hire a hitman to kill the girl’s mother. Wanda’s reasoning was the girl would be so upset at the death of her mother, she would quit the team and the spot would go to Wanda’s daughter.
Fortunately, the ex-brother-in-law went to the police, and Wanda was arrested. She ended up serving 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder – all because of the sin of envy.
Wanda’s story shows how, unchecked, envy can lead to rivalry, conflict, hatred, and eventually murder.
Unchecked, envy can lead to rivalry, conflict, hatred, and even murder.
We see that very pattern in Genesis 4 – the first recorded instance of envy in history.
God accepted Abel’s offering and looked with favor on the younger brother. Cain wanted that. He wanted the acclaim. He wanted the favor.
And, as in the case of Wanda Holloway, that envy led to murderous intent. However, in this situation, the murder was carried out.
Envy is an insidious disease of the heart. It can eat you up from the inside out and ultimately it can lead to more and greater sins.
Ironically, both Wanda Hollowell and Cain illustrate the fact that anytime you strive for another’s downfall, it will ultimately lead to your own.
Here are some ways that you can overcome this deadly sin.
1. Trust in God’s plan for you.
When you’re envious of someone, you feel that their “wins” in life highlight your “losses.” You may grumble that a friend’s kids are more successful or that a neighbor’s career is more impressive.
Yet in focusing on how things have worked out for them, you lose sight of the fact that God has custom-made plans for you. Those plans might not be evidenced yet, but He promises that they will give you hope and a future.
2. Give thanks for what you have rather than complain about what you don’t have.
It’s normal to feel some measure of envy of others. However, when you stew in resentment over someone else’s blessings, you may inadvertently be shrugging off your own.
Instead of minimizing the value of the many blessings God has already bestowed upon you, take a moment to count them. From your health to your job, your loved ones to the roof over your head, there is so much you can and should be grateful for.
Give thanks for what you have rather than complain about what you don’t have.
3. Wish others well, especially those you’re envious of.
When you’re confronted by someone who has something you want, you’re faced with a choice: resent the person or wish them well. If you can’t wish the other person well for their sake, then wish them well for your own.
As noted in the verse above, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." While envy can be destructive to others, it’s even more destructive to ourselves.
Rather than going low when your jealous feelings are stoked, simply say “good for them,” even if you have to do so through gritted teeth. Then, move on and redirect your jealous thoughts to more positive things.
The more you practice wishing others well, the easier it becomes to do and the quicker you can get back to living your best life.
And isn’t that what you’ve been hoping for all along?
PRAYER
Lord, all too easily I can fall into the comparison game. Help me to remember the high cost of envy and all that it can lead to. And help me to rejoice in what I do possess rather than what I don’t possess.
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