Word of the week: Envy
When looking at various translations of this verse the first
two words did not change, but the second word had two options. Love is does not
envy, or love is not jealous.
As always, we should look at the definitions so that we know
what parameters and meaning of the words we are working with.
According to Dictionary.com the
difference is as follows:
Envy and jealousy are very
close in meaning. Envy denotes a longing to possess
something awarded to or achieved by another. Jealousy, on the other hand, denotes a feeling of resentment
that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves. Jealousy also refers to
anguish caused by fear of unfaithfulness.
Summary of Dictionary.com
Envy
-noun
1. a feeling of discontent or
covetousness with regard to another’s advantages, success, possessions, etc.
Jealousy
-adjective
1. feeling resentment against
someone because of that person’s rivalry, success, or advantages.
2. feeling resentment because of
another’s success, advantage, etc.
3. characterized by or proceeding
from suspicious fears or envious resentment: a jealous
rage; jealous intrigues.
I borrowed a few facts from Wiki:
Bertrand Russell said envy was one of the most
potent causes of unhappiness
In The Book of Genesis envy is said to be the motivation
behind Cain murdering his brother, Abel, as Cain envied Abel because God
favored Abel’s sacrifice over Cain’s
Eek, neither of those sounds so great.
Envy and jealousy are two very selfish feelings. When you
love someone, you should truly want the best for them. If you are feeling
resentment for them being happy or them gaining something valuable or of high
value, you are probably either envious or jealous, both things that are not
love. Instead, you are more concerned about gaining things for yourself,
instead of loving people and loving God. To truly love someone, even if it
hurts, even if it is an inconvenience, even if you are doing things that you do
not necessarily want to do, even if that means they will gain or move ahead
instead of you…now that’s love. What that also is, is hard.
So we see here, love is not feeling envious or jealous. But what
is it? It is putting people above oneself.
My challenge to you all, and to myself, is to really put
others first…well, second actually. 1. Jesus, 2. Others, 3. Yourself. (Thank
you team Walking Third for that one.) And as team Walking Third from my squad
pointed out, the acronym for that order of your priorities is J.O.Y. So go have
some J.O.Y. this week! 🙂
