The evil of envy

James 3:16 (NIV)

For where you have envy……there you find disorder and every evil practice. 

The book of James is a book of wisdom, just like the book of Proverbs.  Wisdom can be defined simply as practical living directed by the Word of God.  Back in James 3:13, the writer asks, “Who among you is wise and understanding?”  He then contrasts what wisdom is not (3:14-16) against what wisdom is (3:17-18).  In James 3:15, it states that there is “wisdom” that is not from heaven, but rather is earthly, natural, and demonic.  What are the two characteristics of “demonic wisdom”?  Verses 14 and 16 give the answers—bitter jealousy (envy) and selfish ambition.

Let’s focus right now on “envy”.  The original Greek word is “zelos”, related to the Greek word for “hot” (zeo).  The word “zealot” that we use to describe an extremist comes this word for envy.  Zelos can also mean jealousy, indignation, and malice.  Envy wants to possess what someone else possesses.  Jealousy wants to possess what it already has.  Jealousy is coarse and cruel.  Envy is sneaky and subtle. 

Note that this verse directly relates envy to disorder and every evil practice.  Does that not convince you how hurtful, how awful, how bad it is to be envious?  This verse is also a key verse to remember when you are feeling unsettled or confused.  God is not a God of disorder or confusion so you can be sure that there are demonic forces at work when you feel disorder or confusion or you experience this with any one close to you.  In these situations, you can always pray as Jesus prayed; no, shouted….”Satan, get behind Me!” (Matthew 16:23).  I can still remember a pastor, when preaching on this verse, vigorously brushing his arms and hands backwards as Jesus might have been doing when He uttered these words. 

We all experience envy.  We all experience jealousy.  These are natural human emotions.  These might be among the first negative characteristics that start showing in very young children.  Humans has a sense of fairness and when a child senses that another child is getting more, doing better, being favored,…….envy and jealousy naturally show.  This characteristic gets worse as a child grows up into the teenage years and unless somehow recognized and controlled, leads into a very bad habit as an adult.  Envy and jealousy plays right into the hand of the devil himself.  It is a very devious human characteristic that perhaps takes a lifetime to overcome and only overcome through the Word and power of God.

The next time you feel envy or jealousy, use your arms literally or figuratively to push these instruments of the devil behind you.  Recognize that “envy shoots at others and wounds itself” (old Proverb).  Recognize that there are many roads to hate, but envy is one of the shortest. Recognize that envy is demonic and needs to be dealt with seriously.  The Lord through His Word can help you overcome this evil.