Envy, the Thief of Joy
What is the opposite of envy? The opposite of envy is being happy or glad in other people’s successes.
Some key things to know about envy is that it usually involves people that are close to us and success that is important to us. Since I am bad at sports, and play music, it would be natural for me to envy a musician, rather than someone good at sports.
Envy can be associated with other negative qualities,
“Envy, jealousy, and competitiveness all may be grouped under one word: rivalry (Bridges, 151)”.
Envy can destroy relationships and is found as a negative quality in the Bible. In the case of Cain and Abel, envy led to murder.
Most people can recognize the destructive qualities of envy in other people, though it is hard for most people to admit that they themselves are envious. Most people can admit to being envious in certain instances, however, they would not see themselves as envious people.
5 Telltale Signs That You’re the Target of Envy | Psychology Today
10 Toxic & Destructive Characteristics Of An Envious Person (herway.net)
Though envy is not a new concept to believers, the internet only makes it harder to fight:
“Envy is such a common and universal emotion, even the angels amongst us are susceptible to it. It doesn’t help that by selling illusions of perfection, the beauty and media industries plant a degree of insecurity in all of us (herway.net)”.
One way to fight envy is to ask for help from other people and God so we can see our envy and start to fix it. 1 Peter 5:5 reminds us that God is willing to help a humble person find the right way to walk.
Envy always ruins joy. Don’t let envy ruin your relationships this holiday season, but let your thoughts and words truly be ones of joy and gladness for others!
Respectable Sins. Navpress Pub Group, 2017.
