Scott Sauls in his book, “From Weakness to Strength: 8 Vulnerabilities That Can Bring Out the Best in Your Leadership,” focuses on the evil of envy in chapter 4.
He quotes from Bertrand Russell:
“Envy consists in seeing things never in themselves, but only in their relations. If you desire glory, you may envy Napoleon, but Napoleon envied Caesar, Caesar envied Alexander, and Alexander, I daresay, envied Hercules, who never existed.”
Russell was an atheist! Yet, a broken clock is right twice a day!
Sauls’ Biblical basis for the chapter, most significantly, points to the attitude of King Saul to his servant David.
“Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced, and said: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.’ Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?’ So Saul eyed David from that day forward. And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the spear, for he said, ‘I will pin David to the wall!’ But David escaped his presence twice.” (1 Sam. 18:6-11).
Pastors are not immune from this prideful plague. We look at how God is blessing a church down the road. Our conclusion is that they must be compromising and creating a circus atmosphere. We may not literally hurl a spear, but we throw out a slander.
A pastor can become so consumed by the evil of envy that it can be destructive of his soul, his family, and the very ministry he seeks to elevate—not to exalt God, but himself.
If such a spirit could seduce an incredible angel named Lucifer—who was not content to be all God made him to be, but rather to be as God, and thus become the Devil, we certainly face this prideful peril.
There are no heights we climb (or aspire to) from which we may not fall. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall,” (1 Cor. 10:12). Paul recognized the evil of envy, and submitted to God painfully placing a governor on the throttle of his soul, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” (2 Cor. 12:7). The thorn did the job, so much so that the Apostle would write from his prison cell:
“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:15-18).
Here is the prescription for peace when the sickness of envy invades the soul:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”…“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:6-7, 11-13).
May God protect and preserve us from the evil of envy. I am not strong enough to overcome it, but the Christ who indwells me will enable me, if I cry out to Him!
