Envy. It’s one of this world’s most alluring sins and one that so easily entangles us all. Envy puts you and I at the central point of our worlds, convincing us that we are entitled to something (everything) that we are not. Envy dilutes our reality. Once we’re rolling down Envy Avenue, we lose perspective of who we are, who God is and what life is really about. Everything becomes about getting what we feel entitled to, regardless of the costs or who ends up paying the bill. And we’re also more than willing to put everyone else aside to ‘get what we deserve’.

But here’s the thing, the sin of envy isn’t anything new. The envy you and I battle with today started in the Garden of Eden. The serpent put the thought in Eve’s head that God was somehow holding out on them and they could just take what they wanted⏤to be like God! (Genesis 3:4-5) And isn’t that what’s at the root of envy; the desire to be our own gods?

And don’t be fooled: it doesn’t have to be envy over expensive luxuries to be sinful. Yes, the 5-bedroom mansion, the Bentley, the month-long European vacation we see those around us enjoying are obviously attractive but the smaller, less noticeable things will ensnare us, too. Things like mutual friends who are closer to each other than they are to us or the amazing “problem-free” marriages others seem to have can just as easily steer you and I down Envy Ave., as well.

What makes the sin of envy even more insidious is that once we turn onto Envy Ave., it is impossible for us to make the hard right turn we know we need to make to get ourselves back on the right course. Without God’s grace and mercy, our sinful nature will not allow us to deviate from our self-serving desires. And that’s right where God is, waiting patiently for you and I. He knows Envy Ave. and He knows it well. It’s one of the busiest streets in the world! But thankfully, He’s always there, waiting to steer us onto the right road.

Holy Master, thank You for being there at the end of Envy Ave. to steer us back onto the right road, the road You intended for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

→ For further reading, check out James 3:13-18.

~ Shalom! Shalom! ☧