We continue our study of Biblical love by examining the third characteristic mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ...
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
There are two kinds of envy. The first is when one has a jealous desire to have what others possess (covetousness). The second comes from a more 'mean-spirited' mindset ... it wishes 'ill will' upon others because of what they possess.
Matthew Henry - Love is not grieved at the good of others; neither at their gifts nor at their good qualities, their honors, not their estates. If we love our neighbor we shall be so far from envying his welfare, or being displeased with it, that we shall share in it and rejoice at it.
Godly love refuses to make room for envy. It is 'selfless' ... not 'selfish'. Envy is like an aggressive cancer, eating away at a man's life and strength; it can destroy his physical (as well as his moral) condition ... A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)
No one is more miserable than a person filled with envy. It is listed with other depraved sins that pollute one's life ... For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come - sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person. (Mark 7:21-23)
Love will never disobey the Lord's command ... 'Thou shalt not covet'. Those who walk in love don't seek to benefit themselves; they are content with what they have and rejoice when others are blessed.
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