Lesson 6: the Envious spirit
“Charity, or a truly Christian spirit, is the very opposite of an envious spirit.” “Charity envieth not.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4
Envy
1. The Nature of Envy
Doctrine: Envy is a sinful attitude of dissatisfaction and resentment toward the prosperity or success of others.
Key Idea:
Envy comes from pride and the desire to be above others, leading to discontent and hostility.
Supporting Scripture
Genesis 37:11 — Joseph’s brothers envied him
Esther 5:13 — Haman’s dissatisfaction despite his success
Theological Principle
Sinful pride corrupts the heart, causing comparison, resentment, and rejection of God’s providence in distributing blessings.
2. The Opposite Spirit of Christian Love
Doctrine: True Christian love rejects envy and instead produces contentment and joy in others’ success.
Key Idea:
A Christian heart not only avoids envy but actively rejoices in the blessings of others.
Edwards cites:
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Romans 12:15 — “Rejoice with them that do rejoice”
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Philippians 4:11 — “I have learned… to be content”
Theological Principle:
Love fulfills the law, replacing selfish comparison with selfless joy and satisfaction in God’s will.
3. The Gospel Opposes Envy
Doctrine: The gospel reveals God’s generous nature and Christ’s selfless example, which contradict envy.
Key Idea:
God gives freely without resentment, and Christ models humility—not jealousy or rivalry.
Supporting Scriptures:
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John 3:16 — God gives His Son
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John 14:12 — Others will do “greater works”
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John 6:15 — Christ refused earthly honor
Theological Principle:
God’s grace is abundant and undeserved, teaching believers to give and rejoice freely rather than compete or envy.
4. The Danger and Cure of Envy
Doctrine: Envy is destructive, both spiritually and emotionally, and must be replaced by charity.
Key Idea:
Envy destroys peace, but love brings joy by rejoicing in others’ good.
Supporting Scriptures:
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James 3:16 — “Where envying… confusion and every evil work”
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Proverbs 14:30 — “Envy is the rottenness of the bones”
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1 John 4:7 — “Love is of God”
Theological Principle
Sanctification transforms the heart, replacing envy with love, humility, and shared joy in God’s blessings.
Applicable Reflections
Self-Examination Questionnaire:
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Do I feel uneasy or bothered when others succeed or are honored?
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Do I secretly compare myself to others and wish to be above them?
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Do I find myself criticizing others to diminish their success?
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Can I truly rejoice when others prosper, even more than I do?
Spiritual Applications:
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Practice gratitude daily — focus on God’s blessings in your own life.
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Celebrate others openly — speak well of their success instead of criticizing.
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Reject comparison — trust God’s plan and placement for your life.
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Pursue humility — remember that all blessings come from God, not personal merit.
What does Edwards have to say?
"How far was he from a spirit of envy! How contented in the low and afflictive circumstances in which he voluntarily placed himself for our sakes! And how far was he from envying those that were of worldly wealth and honour, or coveting their condition! He rather chose to continue in his own low estate; and when the multitude, filled with admiration of his teaching and his miracles, on one occasion stood ready to make him a king, he refused the high honour they intended to put upon him, and withdrew himself to be out of their way (John vi. 15), and went away into a mountain alone. And when John the Baptist was so greatly honoured by the people as a distinguished prophet, and all Judea and Jerusalem went out to hear him, and to be baptized of him. Christ envied him not, but himself went out to be baptized of him in Jordan, though he was John's Lord and Master, and John, as he himself testified, had need to be baptized of him. And so far was he from begrudging to his disciples any honours or privileges as too great for them, that he told and promised them (John xiv. 12) that, after his death and ascension, they should do greater works than he had done while he remained with them. "
¹ Jonathan Edwards, Charity and Its Fruits: Christian Love as Manifested in the Heart and Life (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, 1852), 120.