Cure for Envy by R. F. Cotterell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 30, 1870

Cure for Envy.

By R. F. Cotterell

THIS terrible and malignant disease, though exceedingly dangerous, is not utterly incurable, if properly treated. But it will do no good to treat the symptoms, while the cause is undiscovered and unremoved. The cause must be removed, and the effect will cease.

What is the cause? What is the root, whence spring suspicion, evil surmising, jealousy, and envy? Selfishness and pride. Self-exaltation, pride, must be killed. Then evil surmisings and envy will wither and die. Humility and self-abasement must take the place of self-esteem and pride. When these are eradicated, the work is done, the patient will recover.

How can this be accomplished? In the first place, think how wicked and undeserving you are. Look at yourself. You may imagine that others are not what they should be; but if you will look at yourself, you may know that you are not. This suspicious disposition is evidence to others, and should be to you, that all is not right within. Deceptive persons are apt to distrust others. They think they are as bad, and perhaps worse, than themselves. The disposition to watch for others' faults, always suspecting evil intentions, is not free from evil itself. It sees faults in others where there are none, while it is blind to its own. It creates the aliment upon which it subsists. Thus it matures into jealousy and envy.

Think how good the Lord is to you. Think of the sufferings of Christ for you. Think of his forbearance in not cutting down a sinner so vile as you have been. Think how deserving of wrath, and undeserving of mercy, you are. Consider, too, that in reality your friends esteem you much more highly than you deserve. If they knew your sins as well as you do, they would esteem you less than they do. Abase and humble self, and you begin to have less trouble on account of others.

This is the true remedy for pride and its fruits. If properly applied, I am satisfied it will work a cure. If you want testimonials, I can say that I have been trying it in my own case (though it is said that physicians seldom test their prescriptions upon themselves), and have found great relief, though I do not claim a positive and permanent cure. But I am satisfied that, perseveringly followed, the cure will be perfect.

It was pride, self-exaltation, and these hateful passions, that excluded Satan from Heaven. And surely these things can never be admitted there. The peace of the city of God will never be broken by them. “There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.”

“Those holy gates forever bar Pollution, sin, and shame; None shall obtain admittance there, But followers of the Lamb.”

It is a desirable thing to gain admittance to that place; but it could hardly be said to be desirable to have eternal life, where the carnal mind, with its base passions, exists. Let us then crucify sinful self, with its pride and envy, and get a preparation for the pure and exalted society of the world to come. I thank God that through Christ it may be done.

R. F. COTTERELL.