“For he [Pilate] was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.”
(Mark 15:10)
Envy is an ugly thing, and it will make people do ugly things. Sometimes, it even contorts people’s faces in a way which makes them look ugly, too!
Envy is a feeling of discontent or resentment at the success, abilities, or good fortune of others. Envy is nasty, and other people can often see it on you. Pilate saw the chief priests envy Jesus, and he knew that was the real reason behind their vendetta with Him. It had nothing to do with justice and everything to do with the fact that Jesus was the kind of leader they weren’t.
It can be hard to rejoice in the success of others, especially if they are doing similar jobs as you. I have no problem rejoicing when someone succeeds in an entirely different field than me, but it is hard to feel good about the guy who gets the promotion when I applied for it, too.
We must fight envy because it harms our character. It also harms the church. When men who don’t become elders become envious of those who do, that leads to problems and hurt. When we count the successes of others (a new baby, a new job, a happy marriage, etc.) as reasons to dislike them, we take the blessings God is giving to others and use them as a weapon to sever our hearts from theirs. That’s just wrong. It’s also sad.
Envy is hurtful, and it can only be driven away by contentment and gratitude. When I’m happy with who I am and where God is using me, there is no room for the green-eyed monster of jealousy to whisper into my heart. Next time you start feeling envy, I recommend a hearty dose of grateful prayer in your inner room. It will drive that beast away in no time.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites