Envy
“To redden, glow (Hebrew); ill-will, malicious jealousy (Greek)”
Summary
The sinful feeling of resentment and ill-will toward others because of their advantages, distinguished from jealousy which fears to lose what one has.
☩Nature of Envy
Envy is the painful feeling aroused by seeing another's superior advantages, accompanied by ill-will toward the person who possesses them. It differs from jealousy: jealousy fears to lose what it has, while envy is pained at seeing another have what we lack. Envy is 'universally admitted to be one of the blackest passions in the human heart'—no one defends it, and those who feel it carefully conceal it.
☩Biblical Examples
Envy motivated the Jewish leaders to seek Jesus' death—Pilate perceived that 'for envy they had delivered him.' Scripture shows envy leading to terrible consequences: Cain murdered Abel; Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery; Korah and his followers rebelled against Moses. Envy is listed with murder, strife, and deceit among the sins of those with reprobate minds, and among the works of the flesh that exclude from God's kingdom.
