Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Proverbs 27:4
Wrath and anger cause men to do cruel and outrageous things. Anger leaves a man temporarily insane. Anger is bad, but envy is worse. Men get twisted by anger, but envy sees everything with a poisoned view. Wrath can control emotions for a time, but envy can eat your soul away until death. But what is envy? It is the malicious feelings of jealous resentment toward another person for their advantage over you. Anger dissipates quickly, but envy is always there to remind you of another’s superiority. Envy is worse than anger or wrath. It needs no provocation, as do anger and wrath. Men envy others for goodness and prosperity. Envy is deep in a man’s heart and is only removed with difficulty, whereas anger quickly leaves when the provocation ends. Envy will not forgive another’s offence; though it is long past, revenge still simmers. And envy is hidden out of sight, so men are unaware of its seething danger in another’s heart. If you do not kill envy, learning to forgive the faults of others and rejoice in their blessings, you will destroy your own soul. The poison of envy will make your bones rot (Pro.14:30). You will destroy the pleasure of living; envy will lead to perverse decisions. Worst of all, your envious malice against others does nothing at all to them. They flourish in spite of you. Envy leads to emulation. What is emulation? It is the desire or effort to equal or surpass another in any achievement or quality. It is the ambitious rivalry between men for power or honor; it is grudging ill-will against the superiority of others. Envy and emulation are horrible sins, and God hates them. Where envy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:16). Anger and wrath give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27), but envy is to be like the devil (1Timothy 3:6).
Be wise, and put all three sins away.
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