Envy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 12, 1906

ENVY is one of the most despicable of passions. There is scarcely a crime to which it will not lead its victims. It was envy that robbed Naboth of his vineyard, and added murder to the guilt of Absalom in desiring the throne of his father David. It destroys all that is best and noblest in character. So subtle is it in its workings, that we learn on the highest testimony that “envy is rottenness of the bones;” it eats out all honor and manliness, gives sleepless nights and restless days. Moreover, envy is utterly useless; it helps nobody, it effects no alteration, it wins no goal. As we read in Job, “Envy slayeth the silly one;” and all sensible people must feel that there is marvelous silliness in envy.

But if the indulgence of envy does us no good, it is calculated to do other people much harm. Every passion tends to incarnation in some way. Evil emotion turns to action, and becomes embodied in ignoble deeds. So deceitful is envy in its operation, and so successful in its harm, that the question is asked in Scripture, “Who is able to stand before envy?” It undermines the very ground you are standing upon; it breathes innuendoes against your character and reputation, which, light as air to utter, are strong as iron and sharp as steel to do you damage. Yes; envy will depreciate the character it can not publicly defame; it will explain virtues to be vices in disguise; it will sneer with the lip, and stab with the suggestion of an evil hint in your absence, while in your presence it will admire and applaud.

That the envious pay the penalty in this their own misery does not mitigate the wrong they do to others. It does help, indeed, to vindicate the ways of God to man, as it shows us the divine hand dispensing, even in this world, to each man according to his sin. But the misery they feel does not atone for the misery they inflict. Envy is one of the basest of passions; it is the essence of devilism.— Selected.