The Poison of Envy
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 NIV In ancient Greece, the citizens of a certain city erected a statue of a celebrated champion in the public games. But his rival was so envious that he vowed to destroy that statue. Every night he went after dark and chiseled away at its base to undermine its foundation and make it fall. At last, he succeeded. It did fall—but it fell on him. The jealous athlete died, a victim of his own envy. Envy dethrones God. Envy destroys our spiritual health, and it takes the joy, happiness, and contentment out of living. Envy becomes a spiritual leprosy, isolating us from both God and other human beings. No wonder God ranks envy on the same level as sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, and drunkenness (Galatians 5:19–21). To get rid of this devastating poison; First, recognize that you have it. Then confess your sin to God and renounce it. Finally, since envy cannot be overcome in your own strength, op
