“…envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”

envy,

In the previous verse, we had a word for “jealousy,” but “envy” in this verse is not quite the same idea. “Envy” is more than the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing the success of others; it goes beyond the idea of hoping that some evil would come upon that person. An envious person wants to deprive the other person of what he has. Jealousy desires the same thing for self. Envy is a state of ill-will toward the other person because of their presumed advantage.

“For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy” (Matthew 27:18).

“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill…” (Philippians 1:15).

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking…” (1 Peter 2:1 ).

Principle:

An envious person is a bitter person who maliciously desires the worst for other people.

Application:

An envious person is a discontented person who bemoans the good fortune of others. He looks at the advantages others may have rather than the advantages he has.

Envy also carries the idea of not wanting what someone else has but resenting him for having it and wishing him harm because of it.

“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

A good test of the caliber of our soul is how we react to the success of others.

“A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).

Interestingly, the sin of envy is next door in this list to drunkenness and revelries. Envy is the seed of more destructive social sins like murder and revelries.

The person who commits envy, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, and heresies will not inherit rewards in the kingdom as much as someone who practices drunkenness and revelries.