Envy and Jealousy

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Proverbs 27:4 KJV

Three friends recently watched one of their friends drown because of envy and jealousy. Everything usually goes on fine as the relationship builds but the moment one party seems to be exceeding expectations of the other party beyond what they can bear then the resentment starts. They will hate you and begin to spite you not because you were evil to them but because you have what they feel that only them should have or have before you and more of it but not you.

Cain killed Abel not because they were not both successful at their chosen professions. God accepted Abel’s offering more than that of Cain. Was that Abel’s fault? Did Abel conspire against Cain? Envy and jealousy had built up slowly before this event and this was the climax of it. Cain resented Abel to the point where he could not even accept God’s counsel but was always ready to strike back at Abel because Abel seemed to have everything in his favour always ahead of Cain. Eventually Cain killed Abel.

Joseph’s brothers sold him because they could not accept him becoming seemingly more important than them. Why should it be small Joseph and not them his older brothers. Envy and jealousy built up slowly as their father Jacob displayed nepotism toward the last born. Jacob bought Joseph a robe that made others envious and many other privileges that Joseph enjoyed. Eventually there was a plot to kill him but somehow he was sold instead of being killed.

Envy and jealousy kill. In some relationships, you will hear if you can’t have her/him then no one else will. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Avoid friends or partners who don’t want your progress. Pray for them but be cautious so that you’re not caught off-guard