Love. Love Does Not Envy

Part 6

“Love does not envy.” (1 Cor 13:4)

We do not hear much spoken in the church these days on this topic. However, it was important enough for God to include this truth in the 10 Commandments in the form of covetousness.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

We can think of modern equivalents – don’t covet your neighbor’s car, nor his pool, nor his big fancy house, nor anything of his. Times change for sure but the heart of the matter remains the same. We are not to desire the things others have. God calls us to be content with what He has given us. More on that later.

The Greek word for “envy” in 1 Cor 13 is zēloō and means “to burn with zeal.” This word is used for both the good and bad sides of burning with zeal. For example, Paul said “Pursue love, and desire (zēloō) spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Cor 14:1) and “For I am jealous (zēloō) for you with godly jealousy. (zēlos – closely related word) “For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Cor 11:2). In both of those examples Paul talked about a zeal that was from God and is of great worth. I am convinced that God loves this type of zeal in us because it comes from His nature. He is full of zeal!

Now, this flip side of zeal has a demonic element that is quite dangerous. It is rooted in the person who is not content in life. As a result, they burn with envy for the things that others have. This envy is pervasive in our modern world, especially in America. Why else would so many obsess over the lives of the rich and famous?

In James we find this: “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet (zēloō) and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2) We can righty simplify that every war in history has happened because of envy. And yet, we would have if we just asked says God. We can ask as individuals, and as nations.

Now, I want to make a contrast between zeal that is from God and demonic envy. As quoted earlier, Paul made this confession regarding the church:

“For I am jealous (zēloō) for you with godly jealousy. (zēlos – closely related word) “For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Cor 11:2)

Now, here is Paul talking to the Galatian church about some in their midst who were operating in envy:
“They zealously (zēloō) court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous (zēloō) for them.” (Galatians 4:17)

What a contrast! Paul was zealous for them because He saw the church as the bride that she is. The false teachers were zealous because they wanted to make disciples after themselves “…that you may be zealous for them.” We must have discernment in the church today. There are some Paul’s and many false teachers.

The opposite of envy is contentment. Contentment is such a beautiful gift from the Lord. Paul said that he learned contentment.

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Phillippians 4:11-12)

Now, we know that the life of Paul had many swings – the heights of revelation to the depths of being persecuted. And yet, he “learned” to be content in every situation. I dare say that if many of us found ourselves in some of the situations Paul was in we would be rebuking the devil. With that being said, we can learn contentment. The fruit of patience plays a big part. To be content we must have patience during all the highs and lows.

Lord, forgive us for any envy in our hearts. We thank you for all that you have given us. We want to learn, like Paul, to be content no matter the situation. We ask that you would burn in us with your zeal and your zeal alone. We do not want to burn with any ungodly zeal. In Jesus’ name.