Envy, one of the seven deadly sins. Why is it so deadly and perilous? Is it simply the lack of contentment, or is there something else that makes this sin so dangerous?

While a lack of gratitude, thankfulness, and contentment is definitely at the root of envy, this is not what makes envy so disastrous. One of the keys to understanding God’s hatred of envy is to realize what envy produces in the soul that embodies it.

Whereas a lack of contentment and thankfulness leaves the individual embittered and depressed, envy produces a destructive force that nothing but the intervening grace of God can stop. The sin of envy inevitably leads to the destruction of the object of envy.

There are many examples of this in the Word of God. Whether we think of Cain murdering Abel, or Absalom seeking to kill his King David, the outward manifestation of envy always ends in the same place. However, the preeminent example of this is to be found in no other place than the devil himself. One might say that it was his envy of the Almighty God, coupled with his pride, that caused him to strive to despoil creation in order to destroy the object of his envy.

When we give ourselves over to envy of other people around us, we embrace a heart that will not be content until it has utterly destroyed the one that we are envious of. We see this in a plethora of different ways, from the work colleague that lies and backstabs a colleague in order to obtain his job or promotion, to the mother who maligns a friend because she is envious of her child’s success. While the world celebrates such behavior, the Christian must abhor it.

The envious man will never be content until he has destroyed the object of his envy, and in doing so, he will destroy himself.

How does one put envy to death? Many things could be said, but let me suggest just one. The Christian must realize that all that he has been given is from the Father of lights, who only gives good gifts. To each individual, God has given talents, abilities, and treasures; therefore, let him give thanks to God for what he has received and labor to use it well, rather than focusing on what he has not been given. In doing so, he will set his eyes upon the Lord instead of upon his fellow man.