Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Envy or Jealousy is most likely the most common of all sins. This new information age of the 21st Century and the vastness of social media have revealed and displayed the rich and famous lifestyle. Somewhere deep in the depths of our hearts, we want the fame and fortune that they possess. Social media is, in many cases, a platform for people to flaunt and brag about their accumulation of worldly treasures. We realize what our friends and family have accumulated, and Satan leads us into thinking that we deserve that as well.
The heart that Solomon is referring to here in this proverb is a metaphor for our innermost being. When we are at peace with the world and ourselves, when we surrender our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to Christ Jesus, we will know and experience a peace that goes beyond all understanding (Philippians 4:7). When we begin to covet what our neighbors have, envy is following close behind. When we envy our friends and family for what they have, resentment is not far removed. Bitterness will fill all of our conscious and unconscious thoughts and deeds. However, all of this progress from envy and jealousy to resentment will end with love for Christ Jesus and all people (Matthew 22:36-40; Hebrews 12:14-15; Ephesians 4:31-32).
One of the greatest stories in the Old Testament of envy and jealousy is the story of Jacob's youngest son Joseph (Genesis 37:18-63). Joseph's brothers were envious of their father's attention to their younger brother. So, when their father gave young Joseph a beautiful robe, they became jealous of their baby brother; however, the straw that broke the camel's back was the dream that Joseph had of his brothers bowing down to him (Genesis 37:5-9). As intriguing as this story is, the story's thesis was to point to the future coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and Savior. Steven mentioned this story when he was on trial for his life because he believed in Christ Jesus as the promised Messiah (Acts 7). Although Joseph’s brothers turned their backs on him and thought they had gotten rid of him, he did become their rescuer (Savior) from starvation.
There is still much envy and jealousy when it comes to our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. So many want to believe that they can obtain eternal life on their own merit and do not need Jesus or the sacrifice He made for all people on the Cross. Yet, although someone might turn their backs on Jesus, much like the story of Joseph’s brothers, Christ Jesus is still the Savior of every person (John 3:16).
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