Envy rots the bones.
—Proverbs 14:30
Bette Midler said: “The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you.” Some find it easier to weep with those who weep than to rejoice with those who rejoice. Love isn’t envious of the success of others; it delights in their talent and achievement.
Jesus’ disciples had a bad case of envy, both with insiders and outsiders. They argued about who was the greatest in their group (Mk 9:34). And they tried to stop a man from ministering in Jesus’ name because he was not a member of their group (Mk 9:38).
“Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (Jas 3:16). Envy destroys friendships, marriages, churches—and inevitably demolishes peace of mind. Unless excised, it is a spiritually terminal disease.
See envy for what it is—a dissatisfaction with self.