A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. Proverbs 14:30
The Bible tells us much about envy and its danger to the person and those around them. The above scripture tells us that envy brings destruction to the body. People can experience various mental, emotional, and physical issues because they allow themselves to be envious and bitter in their hearts. The fact is that regardless of what others have done, envy does not change anything. It only infects the person who has come into agreement with it. They’re the ones suffering and paying the price for it. In addition, the person remains carnal and inhibits their own growth as I shared in the last devotional. We’re called to guard our hearts from envy. When we keep our hearts sound, our perception and our body remains healthy and whole as well.
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. 1 Samuel 18:7-10
Saul became Jealous of David and his popularity among people. His envy brought about a distressing spirit that tormented him. At times, David was invited to play music for him, so he could be relieved from this anxiety. The truth is that David would not have been even in the picture if Saul had done what God told him to do. When Saul disobeyed the Lord, God rejected him and chose David to be the future king.
David was anointed by God and he wasn’t the one after Saul’s position. He was just trying to live his life and be a good shepherd boy for his father. He had no ambitions to take Saul’s place. It was Saul’s insecurity and his own disobedience that opened the door to distressing spirit and torment. One of the dangers of envy is that it pollutes our perception, and it causes distrust of others. The envious person may get paranoid and think that others are out to get them. Others’ Actions are interpreted as a personal attack and how it might take the envious person out of their position.
As David was trying to be all God had called him to be, Saul interpreted those actions as a plan to take his throne. Saul’s envy made David’s life very difficult, yet it did not thwart God’s plan for his life. The fruit of envy was distress and depression for Saul. Are there people that you are envious of? Can you trust God with your future? Do you believe that as long as you are walking with God and pleasing Him nothing could stop God’s plan for your life?
Image by Sebastian Šoška from Pixabay
Excellent study. Self-examination based on the word of God and with the aid of the Holy Spirit is imperative if we are to grow as God would have us to. Doing so, I have lately recognized that I have been too often guilty of envy, envy which skews my vision and is used as a basis for actions or comments that should never have been. Thank you for this study.
Praise God! Thanks for sharing.