• About Us
  • AKIP
  • Live TV
  • Our Programs
  • Latest News
    • Church News
    • Politics
    • Foreign News
    • Security
  • Airtime
  • From GM’s Desk
  • Church of Nigeria
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • AKIP
  • From GM’s Desk
  • Live TV
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Advent Cable Network Nigeria Advent Cable Network Nigeria
  • Home
  • About Us
  • AKIP
  • Latest News
    • Church News
    • Politics
    • Security
    • Foreign News
    • Sport
  • Live TV
  • Our Programs
  • Airtime
  • Church of Nigeria
  • Contact
Donate
Advent Cable Network Nigeria Advent Cable Network Nigeria
Home»Anglican»The Evil Of Envy: Meditation For The Ninth Sunday After Trinity
Anglican

The Evil Of Envy: Meditation For The Ninth Sunday After Trinity

adminacnnBy adminacnnAugust 18, 2019No Comments4 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email WhatsApp

PRINCEWILL IREOBA

Envy, which literally means “to look at with evil intent…,” and also called “the Green Eyed Monster” because it portrays someone who is looking so hard that his eyes turn green, is the uncomfortable feeling that one experiences when contemplating the good fortunes of another. It is the emotion resulting from the notion that another person’s success or happiness somehow diminishes one’s own. Envy is on increase today, showing in almost everything – career, family, status, car, property, education, health, etc.

Envy goes beyond jealousy. Both jealousy and envy have the possessions or positions of other people as their objects. But while jealousy is an inward or self-centered disposition, envy is outward or the other directed.  A jealous man is hurt, angry, and upset because he wants more for himself. An envious man is also hurt, angry and upset because he wants more for himself, but he goes further to want the other person to pay for it. He hates the individual that has what he wants. He doesn’t just want to gain, but also wants the other person to suffer loss. Envy is wanting to destroy what someone else has -not just wanting it for yourself, but also wanting the owner not to have it. It is a deep-rooted issue, where one is very, very resentful of another person’s wellbeing –his looks, position or property. It is pure malice, pure hatred and goes against the law of love and solidarity.

Envy is included among the works of the flesh or acts of the sinful nature (Gal. 5:21 cf. 2Cor.12:20). It is part of the deeds of darkness that we are enjoined to put off (Rom. 13:12-13). It is a mark of worldliness/carnality and spiritual immaturity (1Cor. 3:3).

Reflections on the Bible Readings for Day (Mattins)

The OT passage (1Sam. 18:1-16) traced the problem of Saul with David to envy. When David killed Goliath, every person in the land was impressed and happy with him, including Saul who brought him to the palace and gave him a high rank in the army to the delight of all the people and the officers. But when the women, in their naive expression of their own happiness with David, sang that David had slain his ten thousands and Saul his thousands, Saul’s envy was aroused such that elimination of David became his primary target. That is the extent that envy can take one.

Jonathan’ attitude was the opposite of Saul his father. He was even the one that should actually have felt threatened by David’s excellence. Yet he was not. It is God who makes one to excel. So, envy, or quarrelling or seeking to pull the other person down, suppress or eliminate him cannot really work. When God says “yes” no one can say “no”. When he opens a door, no one can close it.

The NT passage (Mark 9:30-end) presents, at least, two most common contexts and causes for envy:

  1. The question of rank/status – Who is greater or the greatest? Who occupies which office/position? Why should you be the one there and not me?
  2. The question of performance of others or monopoly of ministry – Why should it be another person performing and not me? How can another person be doing what I am unable to do, yet I am the one who, by virtue of my office or rank or status or position, has the “authority” or “right” to do it?

Jesus teaches that his disciples should be humble, broadminded and accommodating. We do not become great by self-imposition, usurpation or scrambling for position by suppression of others. It is God who exalts and bestows the grace to shine and stand out, particularly when others are doing the same thing you are doing. Yours is to play your part well.

The Venerable Dr Princewill Onyinyechukwu Ireoba, FIMC, CMC.
is the Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre,
Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.

princewillireoba@gmail.com, trinityfoundationibrucentre@gmail.com

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp

Related Posts

JUST IN: Former Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion Passes on to Glory

March 13, 2023

Bishop Jonathan Bamaiyi of Katsina Diocese Joins the Saints

March 10, 2023

The Power Of Positive Confessions

February 23, 2023
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Recent Posts

Roman Catholic Priest Wins Benue State Gubernatorial Election

March 20, 2023

CBN Finally Obeys Supreme Court Order Over Old Naira Notes

March 13, 2023

Words of Caution on the 2023 Nigerian Presdential Election – Bishop Adebogun

March 1, 2023

Primate Ndukuba Encourage Nigerians, Congratulate All Winners, as INEC Announces Presidential Election Winner

March 1, 2023

Court Of Appeal Justice, Chancellor of Egba Anglican Diocese, Lokulo-Sodipe Slumps And Dies In Court

February 27, 2023
Advent Cable Network Nigeria

ACNNTV is the Televangelism arm of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) with focus to keep the orthodox faith alive through development of inspiring and life changing broadcast products.

Facebook Twitter Instagram
Quick Links
  • About Us
  • AKIP
  • Board of Management
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Quick Links
  • Our Programs
  • Program Rates
  • From GM’s Desk
  • Live TV

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2023 Anglican Cable Network Nigeria,Abuja. Designed by Dominion Web.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.