DON’T HARBOUR ENVY!
READ: Mark 15:1-15
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
Mark 15:9-10
The Pharisees did what you would expect murderers and armed robbers to do. They killed the Holy One of God. They murdered a man who had only done good in His lifetime. Jesus had preached, taught, healed, delivered and blessed the multitudes endlessly. The response of the people to the good works of Jesus was to kill Him like an animal. Indeed, a great evil transpired because these men had allowed jealousy and envy to grow in them.
Spite and resentment at seeing the success of another is what is called envy. When a person harbours resentment towards another person’s success, he is harbouring a dangerous evil called jealousy. Although it is not apparent, an envious person can harm and kill you if he gets the chance. Fortunately, most envious and jealous people do not get the opportunities they wish for. They earnestly hope for the downfall of the person they envy.
Unfortunately, envious people are often near or close to the person they are envious of. They are often forced to express grudging admiration and praise for someone that they actually resent. People want what you have! It is painful to them to see you enjoying advantages and privileges with success after success. They wished things would not work as well as they did.
Envy and jealousy are terrible evil traits and characteristics. Do not be found harbouring these evil snakes. The scripture says, “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (Proverbs 27:4)
People who are prone to envy and jealousy will not finish their race. The jealousy and envy that they have will cause them to stumble and crash out of the race. Satan is looking for those who are harbouring these terrible traits.