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5 Examples of Envy in the Bible
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5 Examples of Envy in the Bible

Introduction

Envy is a powerful emotion that can be incredibly destructive in our lives. It can cause us to feel resentful of others, and to desire things that we do not have. Envy can lead to a lack of contentment in our lives and can make us feel as though we are always lacking something.

As Christians, we are called to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. We are called to love one another and to put others before ourselves. Envy is a sin that goes against these values, and it can cause us to act in ways that are not pleasing to God.

In this blog post, we will explore five examples of envy in the Bible and what we can learn from them.

Envy in the bible

What Is Envy?

Envy is a feeling of discontent or resentment towards someone else’s possessions, qualities, or achievements. It is a common human emotion that can lead to destructive behavior.

Envy can manifest in various ways, such as jealousy, covetousness, and bitterness. The Bible condemns envy as a sin that can lead to spiritual and moral decay.

Envy can affect our relationship with God and with others. It can cause us to resent those who are successful or blessed, leading us to covet their possessions or talents.

Envy can also cause us to feel discontent with our own lives, leading us to focus on what we lack instead of being grateful for what we have. In this blog post, we will explore five examples of envy in the Bible and how they can teach us about the dangers of this sin.

Example 1: Cain and Abel

The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 is a classic example of envy. Cain becomes envious of his brother Abel when God accepts Abel’s offering but not his. Cain’s envy turns into anger, and he kills his brother out of jealousy.

The Bible says, “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him” (Genesis 4:8 NKJV).

Cain’s envy of Abel’s offering reveals a deeper issue of his heart. Cain’s offering was not accepted because it was not given with a right heart attitude.

Instead of repenting and changing his ways, Cain allowed his envy to turn into anger and violence. The story of Cain and Abel teaches us that envy can lead to destructive behavior and that we should guard our hearts against it.

Example 2: Joseph and His Brothers

The story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 is another example of envy. Joseph’s brothers become envious of him because of their father’s favoritism towards him.

They plot to kill him but instead sell him into slavery. Joseph’s journey leads him to become a powerful leader in Egypt, and his brothers eventually come to him for help during a famine.

Joseph’s story shows us that envy can be destructive not only to the one who harbors it but also to those around them. Joseph’s brothers’ envy leads them to commit a terrible sin and causes them years of guilt and shame.

Joseph’s story also shows us that God can use even the most challenging circumstances for good, and we should trust Him even when we do not understand His plan.

Example 3: Saul and David

The story of Saul and David in 1 Samuel 18-31 is a classic example of envy. Saul becomes envious of David’s popularity and success, leading him to plot against him.

Saul’s envy turns into madness, and he seeks to kill David multiple times. The Bible says, “So Saul eyed David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 18:9 NKJV).

Saul’s envy of David reveals a deeper issue of his heart. Saul was not secure in his relationship with God, and his envy led him to try to take matters into his own hands. Saul’s story teaches us that envy can lead to destructive behavior and that we should trust God to guide us in our relationships and our lives.

Example 4: The Pharisees and Jesus

The Pharisees’ envy of Jesus is a recurring theme in the Gospels. The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the time, and they became envious of Jesus’ popularity and teachings.

They saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and sought to discredit Him. The Bible says, “For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy” (Matthew 27:18 NKJV).

The Pharisees’ envy of Jesus reveals a deeper issue of their hearts. They were more concerned with their own power and status than with the truth of God’s word.

Their envy blinded them to the truth and caused them to reject the very One who came to save them. The Pharisees’ story teaches us that envy can blind us to the truth and that we should seek God’s will above our own desires.

Example 5: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

The story of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers 16 is an example of envy in a group setting. These men became envious of Moses’ leadership and sought to overthrow him.

Their envy led them to rebel against God and His appointed leader. The Bible says, “And Moses said to Korah, ‘You and all your company be present before the Lord, you and they, as well as Aaron, tomorrow'” (Numbers 16:16 NKJV).

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram’s envy reveals a deeper issue of their hearts. They were not content with their own roles and desired the power and authority of Moses.

Their envy led them to rebel against God’s plan and caused them to suffer the consequences of their actions. Their story teaches us that envy can lead to rebellion against God’s authority and that we should trust in His plan for our lives.

Lessons We Can Learn

Envy is a powerful emotion that can have devastating consequences in our lives. The examples we have explored in this blog post illustrate the destructive nature of envy and the importance of guarding our hearts against it. Envy can lead to destructive behavior, such as murder, rebellion, and rejection of God’s truth.

The Bible teaches us that envy is a sin that we must guard against. It can lead us away from God’s plan for our lives and cause us to focus on what we lack instead of being grateful for what we have.

As Christians, we should strive to cultivate contentment, gratitude, and humility in our lives, and trust in God’s provision for our needs.

How to Overcome Envy

Overcoming envy requires a change of heart and a willingness to surrender our desires to God’s will. We must recognize that envy is a sin and that it can lead us away from God’s plan for our lives. Instead of focusing on what we lack, we should focus on the blessings that God has given us and be grateful for them.

We should also seek to cultivate contentment in our lives. Contentment means being satisfied with what we have and not constantly striving for more. It means trusting in God’s plan for our lives and being willing to wait for His timing. Contentment can help us overcome envy and focus on what truly matters in life.

Finally, we should seek to cultivate humility in our lives. Humility means recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses and acknowledging that all good things come from God.

It means putting others before ourselves and seeking to serve others rather than being focused on our own desires. Humility can help us overcome envy by helping us to recognize the value and worth of others and celebrating their success and achievements.

Conclusion

Envy is a powerful emotion that can be destructive in our lives. It can cause us to focus on what we lack instead of being grateful for what we have, and it can lead to destructive behavior such as rebellion, rejection of God’s truth, and even murder.

The examples we have explored in this blog post show us the devastating effects of envy and the importance of guarding our hearts against it.

As Christians, we are called to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. We are called to love one another, to put others before ourselves, and to trust in God’s plan for our lives.

Overcoming envy requires a change of heart and a willingness to surrender our desires to God’s will. We must seek to cultivate contentment, gratitude, and humility in our lives, and trust in God’s provision for our needs.

In conclusion, let us strive to live our lives in a way that honors God and reflects His love to others. Let us guard our hearts against envy and seek to cultivate contentment, gratitude, and humility in our lives.

The Bible says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3 NKJV). May we all seek to live out these words in our lives and overcome envy through the power of God’s love and grace.

Pastor duke taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.