When We Envy Others It Puts Us in Slippery Places
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Jealousy—the “green-eyed monster”
Jealousy is often called "the green-eyed monster." Shakespeare coined the expression, but this emotional angst was the downfall of the first humans on earth.
But jealousy or envy includes a range of emotions, all of which bring a sickness of the soul. Left unchecked, it breeds greed and lust that are akin to idolatry (Colossians 3:5). It is a destructive feeling and has no upside.
When I was a young pastor, I remember my envious thoughts and sense of injustice toward another pastor in our town. He seemed to succeed in everything and his church grew bigger, despite his obvious character flaws.
I knew of his immorality and deceptions firsthand through those directly affected. They came and confided in me because of what they suffered by his actions and words. Eventually, he was caught in the web of his own deceit and paid a severe price for it all.
Adam and Eve believed the serpent's lie because they thought God was holding back something good (Gen 3:4-6). Today we characterize it as FOMO—the fear of missing out.
The resulting effect of envy, jealousy, greed, or FOMO is bitterness and discontent that can never be satisfied. That's the nature of lust and greed, what the Bible calls covetousness (Ephesians 5:5). It distorts reality and truth, which leads us to a dark path and an abyss.
Keep this in mind as you read through Psalm 73 and be sure to read to the end—that’s the most important part!
Scripture
A psalm by Asaph.
God is truly good to Israel, to those whose lives are pure.
But my feet had almost stumbled. They had almost slipped because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.
They suffer no pain. Their bodies are healthy. They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. They are not plagued with problems like others. [vss 1-5]
That is why they wear arrogance like a necklace and acts of violence like clothing.
Their eyes peer out from their fat faces, and their imaginations run wild. They ridicule. They speak maliciously. They speak arrogantly about oppression.
They verbally attack heaven, and they order people around on earth. That is why God’s people turn to wickedness and swallow their words.
Then wicked people ask, “What does God know?” “Does the Most High know anything?”
Look how wicked they are! They never have a worry. They grow more and more wealthy. [vss 6-12]
I’ve received no reward for keeping my life pure and washing my hands of any blame.
I’m plagued with problems all day long, and every morning my punishment begins again.
If I had said, “I will continue to talk like that,” I would have betrayed God’s people. But when I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me.
Only when I came into God’s holy place did I finally understand what would happen to them.
You put them in slippery places and make them fall into ruin. They are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away by terror!
As someone gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them when you wake up. [vss 13-20]
When my heart was filled with bitterness and my mind was seized with envy, I was stupid, and I did not understand. I was like a dumb animal in your presence.
Yet, I am always with you. You hold on to my right hand. With your advice you guide me, and in the end you will take me to glory.
As long as I have you, I don’t need anyone else in heaven or on earth. My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever.
Without a doubt, those who are far from you will die. You destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty Lord my refuge so that I may report everything that he has done. [vss 21-28]
(Psalm 73:1-28 GW) [Context– Psalm 72]
Reflections and Insights
Left unchecked, even a little jealousy or envy becomes a slippery slope that puts us in slippery places. Because jealousy distorts reality while perpetuating what’s not true, we slip and slide into a dark sickness of the soul.
The only antidote for this sickness of the soul is trust—personal confidence in the Lord. We'll find no footing in those slippery places when we see things from the world's perspective and what our culture enshrines as desirable.
Don't be envious of those who are self-important or thought to be by others. Don’t worry about those who seem to get away with evil. Be content with God's faithfulness and kindness.
When our view of life, ourselves, and others is seen through the light of God's eyes, we'll stand on solid ground.
Reflection—
Do you ever envy people who have power and status? Don't be envious of those who are great in their own eyes. Be content with God's faithfulness and kindness.
Prayer Focus—
If you find yourself slipping into envying others, ask the Lord to remind you who He is—our solid Rock in whom we can find refuge. Ask the Lord to remind you of His Word of truth, so you do not slip into the darkness of jealousy.
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