The Subtle Power of Envy

At breakfast the other morning, we were talking about the betrayal of Jesus Christ and His presentation before Pontius Pilate. Our study was from Matthew chapter twenty-seven. The church leaders and local politicians of the day, no matter the evidence, chose to ignore the deity of Christ and moved Pilate to execute Him.

It did not dissuade them that His betrayer, Judas, gave them their money back! They hated Christ so much, they even claimed they were willing to bear the curse for slaying innocent blood, and even pass that curse down to their children, when Pilate disclaimed all responsibility for executing an innocent man.

“Envy,” exclaimed Hal. “Nothing but pure envy.” After a brief pause, he continued, “Envy is a great evil and it can lead one to murder. There is no other sin like envy. . . but what is it? What, really, is envy?”

“Well, jealousy and envy are similar,” I responded.

“Sure. Jealousy is desiring what someone else has. It is, or it comes from coveting,” added Sam.

That began a brief conversation about envy. I remember thinking back to my life without Christ and how my soul was filled with envy and blame. I despised others for what they had – and the fact that I did not; and I blamed everyone else for my own failures. I hated.

“Envy leads to hatred,” I added back into the conversation.

“That’s my point,” said Hal. “Envy leads to hatred and hatred leads to murder.”

“Jesus was murdered because of envy,” replied Jeremie.

Jesus Christ was before Pilate, the governor, because the church leaders and local politicians did not have the authority to execute Him themselves; or in this case, murder. Pilate found no evidence of wrong doing, or law breaking and continually tried to wash his hands of the whole affair. He knew this was a case of envy and if Jesus was the Messiah, the church leaders would no longer be on top of the heap.

Pilate’s reaction to Christ’s claim to authority was different. When he said, “‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free” [John 19:10-12 NIV] It appears Pilate had a healthy respect for authority and for God – even living in the pagan Roman culture.

As the conversation continued, my thoughts were on my past and on how grateful I am that God delivered me from my life of hatred and envy. The meeting concluded and we all went our separate ways. As I was driving home on the freeway, my truck was next to a small car. Suddenly, the young woman driving the car swung into my lane without looking. I was forced over to the shoulder and hit my brakes. The traffic behind me came to a screeching halt and I saw her look in her mirror and shrug!

Never did I lose my composure and I immediately directed the truck back into traffic. No wreck here, thank God. I was upset that this girl had almost caused one by her negligence. But, I also noticed I was upset because she had my spot. I kept trying to shake it but I could not get past the fact she had taken my spot. I was amazed – and almost laughing. Instead of righteous indignation that she had nearly created harm for myself and others around us on the freeway, my main emotion was envy – she had my spot!

How subtle is the sin that creeps within.