Romans 1:28-32 lists envy as one of the sins of a reprobate mind, along with such sins as fornication, murder and haters of God. Galatians 5:19-21 includes envyings in a list with adultery, witchcraft, heresies, murder, drunkenness....
Envy differs from covetousness in that envy is thoroughly odious. It is "discontentment at the sight of another's success, accompanied by some degree of hatred" (Webster). The origin of the word is invidia, meaning hatred, ill will. With envy, not only does a person inordinately desire the success or the possessions of another person, he hates the person that he envies.
Covetousness can be positive in meaning "eagerly desire" or negative in meaning "to desire inordinately, to long for that which is unlawful to obtain or possess" (Webster). The last of the Ten Commandments warns: "Thou shalt not covet ... thy neighbor's wife...." (Exodus 20:17) A person may covet his neighbor's wife and envy/hate his neighbor for having her.
How does one recognize envy in his heart? The psalmist went into the sanctuary of God (God's presence) and it was revealed to him. (Ps 73) What was his response to this revelation? Something similar to this: "Oh what an ignorant fool I've been!"
May the Lord help His people be set free from this insidious trap called envy.
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