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Envy, Jealousy, and Covetousness


         A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)

         Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (Proverbs 27:4)

           The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”(Romans 13:9)

          You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (James 4:2)

          There may be fine distinctions between envy, jealousy, and covetousness, but they all build walls between people and drive us away from God. Like all of the others, I’m well acquainted with these three. As I walk Grace daily, I pass residences that look like they’re about to collapse (and should!) and residences that I’m sure would be so much nicer than mine. I notice it more down south, where ancient RVs are next door to double-wide park model homes that are next door to motorhomes that cost $200,000. Big-screen TVs can be seen in some. For four years, mine was an ancient RV. It’s easy to be jealous, envious, or covetous when you feel trapped in something you think is not even up to “average” standards.
          I’ve whined at God about this, and the answer I tend to get back is, “That is what I’ve chosen for them for now, and what I’ve chosen for you for now. Are you willing to live as I’ve called you to live for now?” I think I usually say, “OK,” but it’s not a happy submission. “Not good enough” is a frequent chorus in my mind, and it’s applied to me and mine, not you and yours. Comparisonitis can be deadlier than COVID-19. It just takes longer to deaden the soul.
          The Romans 13 passage sums up the issue nicely. If we covet (or are jealous or envious) we are not loving our neighbor as ourselves. We’re also not loving God, because we’re standing in judgment of Him. If He loved us, he’d give us what we want. He’s not giving us what we want, we’re angry with Him, etc.
The breastplate of righteousness and shield of faith are great weapons in a battle against these enemies (or this enemy.) If we do what is right in our treatment of the other person and trust God that He will meet our needs, eventually, we’ll win the battle.

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