Are You Eyeing Some Envy?

“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 I love Sophia Loren; I love Jayne Mansfield. So, when I saw this photograph of them both together, the fan in me squealed.

And then I looked closer at the picture. See anything interesting? Could this be an example of envy being photographed? We know that both women are pop and beauty icons, sex symbols. Ms. Loren, to this day, is an embodiment of classic beauty. And, among to her attributes, we have also heard about the late Ms. Mansfield’s ample bust. As we see, this bust seems to be Ms. Loren’s focal point. And it reminded me of one of those pesky, less than flattering truths: envy of others. Hardly any one of us is immune from it. Adolescence certainly makes sure of that! “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.” Titus 3:3 So, although most of us aren’t celebrities, we can find ourselves in the same club as Sophia Loren, eyeing-comparing- our self-defined competition. It becomes a race. Who is the fairest of them all? We envy, eyeing something which belongs to another, wanting to possess it for ourselves. And it doesn’t always have to be about coveting cleavage, either! “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,… nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.” Exodus 20:17 Envy and coveting are both spiritual issues, discussed frequently in the Bible. In fact, we’re warned about participating in the risky behavior: “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” James 3: 14-16 Have you ever seen the film, “The Silence of the Lambs?” If not, spoiler alert. But if you have, I’m sure you remember the “villains.” In the movie, a serial killer has taken to murdering women and wearing their skins because he, himself, wanted to be a woman. Yeah, already grizzly. Anyway, the FBI agent on the case reluctantly enlists the help of convicted prisoner and yes, folks, cannibal (who ate a victim with some delightful fava beans-yum), Hannibal Lector. In a discussion with the FBI agent, the Lector character brings up the issue of coveting, stating, “we covet what we see.” Now you and I probably wouldn’t consider ourselves to be serial killer evil, but are there things we covet in our lives? What-who- where are they? Is it an obsession with beauty and being thin (those of us in eating disorder recovery can say, “Amen” here)? What about money? Fame? Power? Achievement? Career? Family? Do you want something you see someone else has? What are you and I eyeing? Why aren’t we enough? It’s tricky, isn’t it? God has still decided to bless us, however. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19 You may be asking yourself, “what the heck is ‘Selah?’” It literally means, “pause and think about that.” It’s a point of emphasis and personal reflection. So, I guess we’re supposed to pause and reflect. God’s not condemning you if you are actively envious, coveting someone else’s stuff. He still loves you. It’s because of that love He’s so adamant about warning you. He doesn’t want you and I to hurt ourselves. And that’s what envy, jealousy and coveting all do. Again, check James 3: 14-16: “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” Sounds serious enough. You and I are unique, valuable expressions of God’s brilliance. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:14 He has blessings unique to each one of us. But how can we see and experience them if we’re always looking at someone else’s hypothetical cleavage, like the photo here? Don’t be condemned; you’re not hopeless. But look at what you’re wanting. Are you coveting? Are you envious, even to the point of being bitter and hateful? Go to God with whatever you’re experiencing. He will help you; He said He would. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 Remember you have worth already- as is! Getting something someone else has will not improve that standing. God created you to be you! So, be it! He wants a relationship with you! “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5 God doesn’t make clones; He makes unique and wonderful human beings. You’re incredible, loved, worthwhile and enough as yourself. Don’t wish you away! Someone else’s stuff does not detract from who you are. You are not “less than.” Psalm 139:14 is who you are! Celebrate that! Copyright © 2012 by Sheryle Cruse