In our meditation yesterday, we spoke about the dangers of envying others. We adduced reasons to avoid being envious of others, but it was not exhaustive, and this is why we return to the same verse and subject today. There is something that is very important when discussing envy; it is the fact that an envious man eventually becomes a victim of his own way. There is health hazard to envy. “A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). To live in envy is to send seed of corruption to one’s own bloodstream. Job 5:2 tells us that envy can be terminal in effect – “For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one”. Here we notice that envy is as disastrous as wrath.
Let us examine one more reason why we must seriously consider the elimination of envy from our life. The verse following our text will give us sufficient light on this. “For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (verse 18 KJV). We are warned not to envy sinners because there is an end. What end is the Bible talking about? There is an end to sinners’ advantages over the just. Whatever advantages the unbelievers post now are only temporary. On the flip side, there is an end to any disadvantage that a child of God may be experiencing at the moment. As you focus your zeal on the fear of the Lord and obedience to His commands, He will come through for you.