"LOVE DOES NOT ENVY, IT DOES NOT BOAST,
IT IS NOT PROUD"

Sometimes we actually invite hurtful comments by our own jealousies. For instance, the friend who excitedly tells us that her son is doing so well at work that he is about to be promoted may genuinely want us to share her joy. However, if our own son happens to be making a complete mess of his life, envy might spur us into some scathing retort. Such a reaction could easily lead our friend to tell us bluntly that our son could have done better had he really tried, and before we know it a feud has begun. Love should not envy, but rather it should be glad for the success of others. We are reminded also to, "Rejoice with those who rejoice and live in harmony with one another" (Romans 12.15,16).

By the same token we risk hurting other people by our own boasting and may provoke them to envy. A new car, a better computer, a redesigned kitchen, a bigger house, are all things which we may be tempted to brag about. Our good fortune may be our pride and joy, but if Our friends cannot afford such things they might become so smitten with jealousy that they react abusively towards us.

Envy and jealousy cannot be taken lightly for they are in the list of things which are most displeasing to God.

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage; selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-27).

We might be surprised to see jealousy and envy appearing alongside these other more obvious 'bad' characteristics of human nature but they are not there by mistake, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice" (James 3:16). But the verses in Galatians go on to show how we might resist jealousies by turning to God, the Holy Spirit; "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5.22-23). If we root out jealousy and envy, and begin to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, then we are well on our way to finding forgiveness in our hearts.