Love Does Not Envy

The greatest virtue of the Old Testament was wisdom. It was the principled thing. The greatest of these in the New Testament is love. Faith will become sight and hope will be realized but God's love is everlasting. Love is the more excellent way. Men are impressed with gifting, but God is impressed by character. Gifts are given, fruit is grown. God's Word describes what love is and what love will never do. Love will not envy. It will slay the green-eyed monster. there is a connection between envy and covetousness. Envy is the motive and coveting is the sinful act that violates God's Commandment. How do you know you struggle with envy? Does the success of others bring you pain and displeasure? There is a difference between envy and emulation. The Bible has several examples of this kind of envy and its devastating impact. Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers, Saul and David to name a few impacted by envy. Jesus was betrayed and murdered based upon the envy of the religious leaders of His day. Mark 15:10, “For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.” Envy brings rottenness to our bones which negatively impacts our health. It is earthly, sensual, and demonic. How to cure envy? Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.