ENVY by R. M. Kilgore

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 24, 1867

ENVY

By R. M. Kilgore

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” James iv, 5.

Envy, as defined by Webster, is “pain, uneasiness, mortification, or discontent, excited by the sight of another’s superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred or malignity, and often or usually, with a desire or an effort to depreciate the person, and with pleasure in seeing him depressed.”

It is a sin, in that it is a violation of a principle growing out of the tenth commandment. It has its origin as far back as the creation of man, and was among the first sins committed. The father of it is Satan, in whose mind it took root, and bore its first fruit. It was that which caused him to commit the highest crime of which he could have been guilty, to rebel against the government of God; and as the result of which, he was cast down from that exalted position he once occupied, and was banished from Heaven, with all those in whose breasts he had sown the same seed. He was envious at Christ, because the Father consulted with him about the formation of man. He had a high opinion of himself, and thought he should have been consulted; and because he was not, his envious feelings prompted him to rebel; but not until he had sown the seeds of discord among his fellow angels, and had gained a multitude of sympathizers, who thought he had been wronged.

It was envy, Ps. cvi, 16, which caused Korah and his companions, to think that Moses and Aaron had taken too much upon them, “seeing all the congregation are holy every one of them, and the Lord is among them;” and to ask, “Wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” Num. xvi, 3. The Devil had so deceived Korah, that he could not see but what the whole congregation was holy; and that Moses was wrong. He was not satisfied with his position, but desired to attain to the office of priest. He even thought that if he were the leader of the children of Israel, they would be more successful in their journey through the wilderness. He was envious and jealous of Moses, whom the Lord had chosen to lead his people, and made known his feelings to others, who sympathized with him, and joined him in his wicked rebellion. Their fate was, “The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up; they and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.” Verses 32, 33.

Through envy Cain slew his brother Abel. Through envy the patriarchs were moved to sell Joseph into Egypt. Acts vii, 9. For envy, Christ was delivered to Pontius Pilate to be put to death. Matt. xxvii, 18. Because the multitudes came to the apostles bringing with them the sick who were being healed, and out of whom unclean spirits were cast, the high priest and all they that were with him, were filled with indignation, (envy, margin,) and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. Acts v, 16-18. And when the Jews saw the multitudes coming together to hear the word of God, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” Chap. xiii, 45.

Again, when Paul, “as his manner was, went in unto them upon the Sabbath, and reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead,” because some of their number believed, also a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the chief women, the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, (good company for envious persons) and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring Paul and Silas out to the people. Chap. xvii.

Other examples might be given to show the enormity of this sin in the sight of God, and to what extent it led men anciently, but these will suffice.

That the sin of envy exists, in these last days, none will deny; but will confess that we are all more or less liable to harbor it within our own breasts; and especially are we apt to see it manifested by others. We can behold a mote in our brother’s eye, while in our own may exist a beam.

Envy may rule the feelings and actions of those who labor in word and doctrine, against their fellow laborers. One may have envious feelings toward another who has an interesting and peculiar gift, and has obtained the respect of his leading brethren, by his faithful labors in the cause, and is loved by all his brethren and sisters, and shares largely in the graces of the Spirit;—a person, we say, may have envious feeling toward such an one, because he does not possess the same gift; and he may be led to speak that which would discourage his brother, and bring reproach upon himself and the cause; whereas, if he were satisfied with the gift he has, and would labor in his sphere, he would be able to do good and advance the truth, perhaps as much as the one whom he envies.

But we see this evil existing more particularly among those who do not occupy quite so prominent positions in the message—the members of our churches.

One brother is jealous or envious of another, who has, by the blessing of God, by discreet management, industry, and hard labor, obtained enough of this world’s goods to live comfortably, and have plenty around him; because he is hospitable; for with him the weary and worn pilgrim can always find a home; his heart is as free and open as his house, and his willing hands are extended, and ready to make others comfortable around him; and because he has the good of the cause at heart, he is liberal in giving of his means for its advancement, that others may receive the truth, and be benefited as well as he, or in giving to assist humanity, by sending shares to the Health Institute, and donating to other various charitable purposes; and because he is respected and esteemed by almost every one, and especially those whose interests center in the third angel’s message,—this jealous brother is envious because he is not thus prospered. He watches with a jealous eye every word and action; he sees and judges from his own standpoint, and of course there is nothing right in his sight; while at the same time this good brother is laboring in meekness and kindness to do him good. But in vain: he is not in such a frame of mind that he can be helped. He is not humble enough to go to this brother and tell him his feelings; that he thinks he has been wronged, have his trouble explained, and have the burden thrown off his mind. But no! he is not satisfied until he has followed the order of his great leader, by endeavoring to get sympathizers, to whom he makes known his troubles. He tells them such an one is proud, that he is getting rich, that he gave that money or that donation, only to get a big name, and to be thought well of by his superiors. He adds fuel to the flame, until that which was but a small matter at first, becomes a monster in his sight. He has succeeded in making others as unhappy as himself, when he thinks he is surely right. The Devil, who has been leading and urging him on, is well pleased with his success, and his angels rejoice. But it must now come before the church, resulting in a great trial. Then those who were ignorant, (which is bliss in such cases,) are troubled and made unhappy; and perhaps the faith of some is overthrown by those, in whom they have had confidence, taking such a course.

Envy exists not only among the brethren in the church, but also among the sisters and children. All have it to overcome. Some more than others. He who is envious or jealous, confesses at once, by such feelings, that his rival is far his superior; and so long as he harbors such feelings in his breast, and acts accordingly, he is degrading, instead of exalting himself as he desires. Pride is the foundation of envy, and self is the idol worshiped. Like the drunkard, who, while reeling under the effects of the cup, thinks every body else is intoxicated, so the jealous or envious person thinks others are not right, while he alone is wrong.

The Scriptures are plain upon this point. Prophets and apostles have shown the deceitfulness of this sin. A little testimony we wish to present, that it may lead us to diligently search our hearts, to see whether in us lurks this enemy of our souls.

Says the Psalmist David, “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” Ps. lxxiii. If David was envious of those around him, the people of God in these last days, are certainly liable to be guilty of the same sin, when they see those around them prospering in riches, adding farm to farm, and receiving the applause and honor of this world; while they are poor, and despised, scoffed at, and frowned upon, because they are “Advents,” and keep the seventh-day for the Sabbath. They had better, like David, go to the Sanctuary of God, and understand their end. And his advice is, “Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Ps. xxxvii, 1. Job says that “wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” Chap. v. The testimony of the wise man is, “A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy, the rottenness of the bones.” Prov. xiv, 30. Also, “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (jealousy, margin.) Chap. xxvii, 4; xxiv, 1, 19.

Paul, writing to the foolish Galatians, in exhorting them to love, and good works, and warning them against the lusts of the flesh, says, “I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that

they which do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Chap. v, 12-21.

In speaking of those who held the truth of God in unrighteousness, he again classes this sin with those flowing from the same fountain. He says they were “filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful; who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Rom. i, 29-32.

Paul knew the effect of this evil; for in writing to Titus, he tells him to put the brethren in mind to be subject to powers, “to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” Chap. iii, 2, 3.

To the Corinthians he says, “For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not yet carnal and walk as men?” 1 Cor. iii, 3. And when he was ready to come to them the third time, he was fearful that when he did come, he should find among them “debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, tumults.” 2 Cor. xii, 20.

Now hear his exhortation: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Tim. vi, 3-5.

Peter also exhorts: “Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Pet. ii, 1-3. “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Gal. v, 26.

The only antidote, which the apostle Paul prescribes for this soul-destroying disease, is love. We have seen that envy is a sin. What is sin? “Sin is the transgression of the law.” What is love? “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” One is the opposite of the other. Envy is of the Devil; “love is of God;” for “God is love.” Envy is the work of the flesh; love is the fruit of the Spirit. “Charity,” (love) says Paul, “suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave herself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1 Cor. xiii, 4, 7.

On this point he gives to us, who are living down here amid the perils of these last days, a very solemn and important testimony, to which we would do well to take heed. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and in wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Rom. xiii, 10-14.

Dear reader, are we bearing this evil fruit? Are we the subjects of Satan, to carry out his designs? Do we love his service enough to harbor and cherish the spirit of envy, or its twin brother, jealousy, in our hearts? If so, the spirit of Christ, the love of the truth, and the love of God, does not abide with us. Let us not, then, be a Diotrephes; 3 John 9, 10; neither “let us be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh; grudge not against each other, but provoke one another to love, and by grace overcome, that we may be found worthy of eternal life, and have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. R. M. KILGORE.

Washington, Iowa, Dec. 2, 1867.