“Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.”  Ps 37:1

David was vigilant to protect his heart against the vile and bitter effects of envy. David had witnessed an “evil spirit” come upon Saul when the king saw and heard the women of Jerusalem dancing in the streets and singing that David had slain his ten thousands whereas Saul had only killed a thousand of Israel’s enemies. His first-hand experience confirms James’ teaching (3:15). Envy is demonic—causing Saul, who was being calmed by David’s psaltry, to suddenly become enraged to the point of being crazed, even homicidal. 

Jos 14 relates the story of two men who had done mighty exploits together. When 12 leaders were chosen to represent their tribes to “spy out” the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb found faith and courage to “go up and take possession” of this mountainous region where giants lived. Yet only Caleb was personally singled out and commended by God with these powerful words:

“But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land…and his descendants shall inherit it.” Num 14:24

So when Moses chose Joshua to be his successor instead of Caleb, do you think he felt slighted? Was Caleb upset at Moses for passing him by, despite God showering praise upon him? Would he harbor jealousy at Joshua, or entertain the lie that God was not being fair? Would he open the door to that hungry beast of envy that licked its chops, ready to pounce on us?

The answer to these questions is found in Jos 14. It seems Caleb’s “different spirit” enabled him to rise above the fray and resist the temptation to envy Joshua. When Joshua was promoted to be Israel’s new leader, Caleb found grace to accept Joshua’s leadership, and submit to him. Since God had personally promised him and his descendants the region of Hebron, why did he find it even necessary to involve Joshua? It seems he had every right to just forge on ahead, to run with the Word God had spoken to him.

But Caleb chose to humble himself. His actions showed that he trusted God; if God had exalted Joshua, then to align himself with Joshua was to align himself with Yahweh. And finally, perhaps most importantly, he honored Joshua as his leader. In doing so, he left us all a vivid example. You see, honor and envy are opposites. Rather than be jealous of another’s achievements, I should recognize and celebrate them. Rather than fretting over what someone else has, I’m called to honor God for His generosity to them. Rather than comparing my gifts with others, I embrace them (and their gift), knowing that only those who receive a prophet qualifies to receive a prophet’s reward. 

Imagine if Cain had come to Abel in humility and said, “I want my offering to be acceptable to God too. Can you show me how I can be pleasing to God?” Imagine if Saul had bowed before the Father in thanksgiving for blessing him with a warrior and general, the likes of which only comes along every millennia! Imagine how many church splits would be avoided if the “Calebs” of our day trusted God to work through our Joshuas, and honored them from their hearts. 

When David was tempted to be envious, he continues in Psalm 37 to give us practical ways to overcome its attraction. They include (vs. 3-4):

• “Trust in the Lord, and do good”. God knows what He is doing. He knows when, where, and how to bless, reward, and promote us. We just need to keep doing the right thing. In due season, He will exalt us too, if we faint not. 
• “Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness”. We must learn to be content with where we’re at and what we’ve been given. Rather than “eating” a constant diet of what disappoints or frustrates us, feed on the things God has done and is doing. Praising Him for His faithfulness at breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and during coffee breaks, and yes, even midnight snacks!), prevents us from descending the slippery slope of comparing, jealousy, strife, and resentment. Envy’s power is forced to stop in its tracks. 
• “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” When you focus on, cherish and constantly thank God, you will be so full of His love and peace that what someone else has pales in comparison to the riches you have in Him. In your flesh, you may think “if I only have what that person has”; but the one who loves the Lord and follows Him fully will be blessed with those things that satisfy the deepest longings of his heart. 

Beloved, envy is a cruel master. It is stalking you. It wants to subdue you. It is subtle, and crafty. So let’s stay vigilant, and excel in exhorting one another to chain our gates…until this crouching adversary gives up, realizing we will never, ever, under any circumstances, let him in.