“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” ~ Romans 12:15
One of the greatest marks of Christian maturity is the ability to genuinely rejoice in the success and blessings of others. Yet one of the strongest enemies of this joy is envy. Scripture warns us that “a heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).
What Is Envy?
As Thomas Aquinas described it, “Envy is sorrow at another’s good, and it is one of the capital sins, because from it arise hatred, detraction, joy at another’s misfortune, and grief at another’s prosperity.”
Unlike jealousy—which fears losing what we already possess—envy grieves that another has gained something we desire. It clouds our vision and makes us resent the blessings God has given others. And as St. John Chrysostom put it vividly: “As a moth gnaws a garment, so does envy consume a person.”
The Subtle Nature of Envy
Envy rarely announces itself. It hides behind polite smiles and unspoken comparisons. When a friend shares about their promotion, instead of celebrating, our hearts may quietly ask, “Why not me?” When a neighbour prospers, envy whispers that God has overlooked us.
The Bible exposes this danger: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16).
History gives us sobering lessons. Cain envied Abel’s offering and killed him (Genesis 4:3–8). Joseph’s brothers envied their father’s love and sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:11). Envy destroys families, friendships, churches, and communities. As Jonathan Edwards warned: “Envy is the spirit of the devil. It is the special evil spirit that reigns in hell itself.”
Why Envy steals Joy
The Apostle Paul commands: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). But envy makes this impossible. Instead of rejoicing, envy turns us into silent critics. Instead of thanksgiving, envy plants discontent.
John Calvin noted: “Envy springs from pride, and is nourished by pride, and is nothing else but pride looking upon the prosperity of others.”
When we compare ourselves to others, we miss God’s unique plan for our lives. We forget that “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17) and that God distributes blessings according to His wisdom.
As C. S. Lewis observed, “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. Envy is the inevitable result.”
Choosing Rejoicing over Envy
The good news is that envy does not need to rule our hearts. Scripture shows us a better way:
- “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 23:17).
- “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
- “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
John Stott summarized it beautifully: “Rejoicing with those who rejoice is love’s triumph over envy.”
Practical steps to fight envy include:
- Prayer for others’ success. Turning envy into intercession frees our hearts.
- Daily gratitude. As Paul urged, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude guards us against comparison.
- Celebrating openly. Genuine encouragement strengthens relationships.
- Resting in God’s timing. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). As B. Meyer once said: “The Spirit of Christ will cause you to rejoice in another’s blessing as if it were your own.” That is the goal of Christian love.
A Better Way
Envy poisons the soul, but love and gratitude set us free. Charles Spurgeon wisely observed: “The cure for envy lies in living under a constant sense of the divine presence, worshiping God and communing with Him all the day long.”
When we learn to rejoice with others, we reflect the very heart of Christ. In His Kingdom, we are not competitors but co-labourers. As R. C. Sproul put it: “If we cannot celebrate God’s goodness in others, we have not yet understood His grace to us.”
Let us then put away envy, for “rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind” (1 Peter 2:1). Instead, let us rejoice with one another, building communities of love, joy, and gratitude.
Envy is the enemy of rejoicing, but love is the victory over envy. May we learn to see others’ blessings not as threats, but as testimonies of God’s goodness, and rejoice in them with glad hearts.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”~ Romans 15:13
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for the times I have allowed envy to steal my joy and darken my heart. Teach me to rejoice with those who rejoice and to see Your hand of blessing in their lives. Fill me with gratitude for all You have given me, and help me to trust Your perfect plan and timing. May Your Spirit replace envy with love, discontent with peace, and comparison with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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