Why is envy considered green? We sometimes refer to sickly people as “green around the gills.” They had a condition that infected and affected their body to the point that what was inside was about to exit, and it was not going to be pretty. Envy has a similar physical effect on the human body, quietly building up, growing as fast as healthy green grass—but one day, it will come out.
A “sound heart” positively
influences, producing joy and peace because it’s free of undesirable attitudes.
Envy is like cancer eating away the marrow of bones, a destroyer of life. A
simple desire for what someone else has paves a pathway to jealousy. The longer
it abides inside, the sicklier the body becomes. Envy drifts into anger; anger
leads to hatred; hatred can lead to wrath, escalating to murder (even if only
in thought).
Joseph’s brothers envied him because
their father Jacob favored him (Genesis 37:4). The Pharisees, jealous of Jesus,
wanted to destroy Him (Matthew 12:14). Barabbas’ freedom and Jesus’ crucifixion
stemmed from envy and hatred (Matthew 27:18). The religious leaders incited a
town riot because they envied Paul for the crowds he attracted and how they
responded to his preaching (Acts 13:45;17:5). The devastating results of envy have
not changed over the centuries; it still has the power to infect and affect spiritually,
physically, mentally, and emotionally. If not dealt with, envy escalates and
will make an unexpected exit—and it won't be pleasant.
Envy is listed in Scripture alongside
some of the most despicable sins because of its destructive nature (Romans
1:29; Titus 3:3). Paul writes that we should imitate Christ as God’s children;
those unspeakable sins should have no place among us (Ephesians 5:1–3). The
Great Physician can cure anyone “green” with a physical illness or envy’s
result. Healing is only a prayer away.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.