How is envy rottenness to the bones (Proverbs 14:30)?

Then again, a sound or placid heart is a general healing power, just as envy rots even the bones — a corroding evil, without doubt.

"A sound heart is life to the body" (v. 30). We know this to be true physically, and spiritually it is much more true, for the inmost being is of most vital importance in supplying support to our very existence and control over our actions. Envy is seen here in opposition to soundness of heart, for envy fights against the simple, wholesome principle, "Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).

"In the multitude of people [is] the King's glory; but in the lack of people [is] the ruler's downfall. "One slow to anger [is] of great understanding; but the hasty of spirit holds up folly. "A sound (or, tranquil) heart [is] the life of the flesh, but envy the rottenness of the bones. "He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker; but he that honours him is merciful to the needy. "The wicked is thrust down by his evil doings; but in his death the righteous trusts. "Wisdom rests in the heart of the intelligent; but [what is] in the inwards of fools is made known. "Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin [is] a reproach to peoples. "The King's favour [is] toward a wise servant, but his wrath to him that causes shame."

It is beautiful to see here how fully and freely Samuel resigns his authority to Saul. There is no restraint, but heartily and ungrudgingly he pours the anointing oil upon his head. Without reserve he performs the rite that marks Saul out as supreme head of the nation. This is very lovely, and exhibits the prophet as a man of remarkably generous spirit, devoid of jealousy, without ambition for himself or his sons, desiring only that Jehovah's will might be done in him and the nation. Would that we all did imitate him in this, as the apostle exhorts, "In honor preferring one another; ",and again, "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's [profit]" (Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 10:24). How we lack in that love, that "seeketh not her own." "Jealousy is cruel as the grave," and "envy is as rottenness to the bones," but joy in another's profit, the promotion of our neighbor, this is a spirit all too rare in this selfish world. May it be cultivated diligently by the believer who desires to be more like his blessed Master, who was "meek and lowly in heart," or even as His forerunner John, who unregretfully said, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Proverbs 31 is a lovely commentary on verse 4, "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband." In the New Testament, Priscilla is clearly a lovely example (Acts 18:26). In fact, though in cases of public importance, Apollos is mentioned first, yet otherwise Priscilla has the first place, evidently because being outstanding spiritually. On the contrary, a wife who causes shame "is like rottenness in his bones." This was sadly true of Jezebel, wife of Ahab (1 Kings 21:25).

There is no saying to what length even a child of God may not be led, who once willingly allows this feeling. It grows so very rapidly that, from only beginning to be envious of the success, prosperity, and position of another, we may soon begin to hate him, and then plot against him.

As with pride, so it is with envy; its most horrible and deadly form is when it conceals itself under a cover of zeal for the Lord, and under this or some other religious subterfuge, seeks the evil of another. Oh, what unmaskings of all such actions will take place at the judgment seat of Christ!

Seek, beloved reader, to be pure from this vice at least, after the fearful warnings the Word of God has given us (remembering especially that it is one of the five sins that hinder our love of the Word of God itself (1 Pet.2)). Real occupation with Christ's glory and interests instead of our own, effectually, though unconsciously, checks not only this but many other sins. It is only the self-seeker who is envious. The servant who can truly say, like his Master, “I seek not Mine own glory,” is surely delivered from a spirit of envy.

Alas, it is this envy that lies at the bottom of the fretting. We are under trial, and the worker of iniquity seems to be having such an easy time. We cannot bear it! We are like a child in a nursery, who pouts and frets because the other child has an apple a size larger than the one given to it — and the possessor of the big apple was the naughty child of the nursery! Oh, what mischief can envy work in the heart of a saint! And what misery too, it can produce, and what sin!

Such disputes of words, instead of strengthening piety, only give occasion for the manifestation of the works of the flesh. The pride that seeks to exalt self by these endless questions must inevitably lead to “envy”, for the proud man can brook no rival. Naturally the flesh will strive against the one of whom it is envious. Thus envy leads to strife, and striving against another will lead to “injurious words” about him. The knowledge that “injurious words” are being uttered will raise “evil suspicions” and “constant quarrellings”. Such is the evil crop that arises from envy. There is no greater power for evil among the saints of God than the allowance of envy in the heart. “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but”, says the preacher, “who is able to stand before envy?” It was envy that led to the first murder in this world; and it was envy that led to the greatest murder in this world. Pilate “knew that for envy they had delivered Him” (Matthew 27:18).

It is fully admitted that wrath is cruel. and anger outrageous, though this gives no excuse for retaliation in the same spirit: in such a case we should lower ourselves to the same sinful level. We ought to be able to stand in the face of this. But who does not know that envy is a greater aggravation? Who is able to stand before it? Who can restrain himself at such a time from impatience and self-righteous indignation? But let us observe that it is not said that no one can stand: rather it is posed as a question. Certainly one who is in real communion with the Lord will not he caught by this subtle attack of the enemy; but mere confidence in the flesh will always be defeated. Envy will assume countless forms of opposition. more underhand than wrath and anger, and so persistent as to weary its victims. Therefore, only constant communion with God will protect us.

Surely, now that we have laid some part of the horrible form of this vice bare from Scripture, our readers must shudder to think that the root of all these crimes lurks in their hearts. James does not hesitate to say that envy is a root of every evil work (ch. 3:16). It is worse than wrath or anger; none can stand before envy (Prov.27:4). It hinders growth in grace (1 Pet.2:1,2); is a proof of carnal mindedness (1 Cor.3:1-3); it is one of the works of the flesh (Gal.5:21); and one to which our spirits are especially liable (Jas.4:5), being produced by the prosperity and good deeds of others (Eccles.4:4), and also by arguments and disputes (1 Tim.6:4). Now to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Never let us give place to the devil, in allowing envy to sprout and germinate in our hearts; but let us ever check the first risings of an envious spirit.