CHRISTIAN LIVING - BEWARE OF ENVY

“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:26.

St. Paul linked vainglory with envy; both vainglory and envy produce disastrous effects in the lives of their possessors. Webster defines vainglory as “excessive pride in one’s own performance or attainment.” This seems to spell out Lucifer’s desire “to be like the Most High.” Having filled his heart with vainglory of his own importance, he could not tolerate anyone higher than himself, so envy was the motivation that caused him to aspire to be like the “Most High.”

While no human being would dare to aspire to such lofty heights, most of us will find that unless we are very watchful, a certain amount of vainglory and envy will come in, dressed in a disguised form, and be very hard to detect. I have even seen it wear religious robes. How can we tell whether there is vainglory in us? Just by answering a few honest questions:

1. Do I seek the praise of men for the things that I do or say, or the praise of God?

2. Am I trying to, unduly, impress others with my importance?

3. Do I seek to rise on the wreckage of others?

If the answer to any of the above three questions is ‘yes;’ then not only is there vainglory but envy as well. Envy is an ugly word. According to Johnson— “Envy feels not its own happiness except when it may be compared to the misery of others.”

Even after we discover envy within our heart, it is not easy to get rid of it. The best detergent that I know of that can cleanse the stains of envy is pure agape love; because “Love envies not” 1 Corinthians 13 :4. Also, try praying for the one of whom you are envious.

Oh, my Saviour, ~ I behold Thee

Hanging on that cruel tree,

I realize the love that prompted

You to die for men like me

Help me to get rid of envy

And from all the sinful dross

Because it was the Pharisee’s envy

That nailed You to that cruel cross.

Louis De Palma