Envy: Enemy of Tranquility

Jesus’ question—“what is that to you?”—is aimed to snap Peter out of his fixation with John’s story. He wants to protect Peter, and you and me, from sinful envy.

Envy (like all sin) robs us of peace. Think about it: have you ever met an envious person who was content, at ease, and happy? Have you ever envied and been at peace at the same time? I doubt it.

When we envy, we question, we fret, we wonder, we worry, we obsess. We are anything but peaceful. Jonathan Edwards describes this miserable condition:

“[A]n envious disposition is…most uncomfortable and uneasy to its possessor….It is like a powerful eating cancer, preying on the vitals, offensive and full of corruption. And it is the most foolish kind of self-injury; for the envious make themselves trouble most needlessly, being uncomfortable only because of others’ prosperity, when that prosperity does not injure themselves, or diminish their enjoyments or blessings. But they are not willing to enjoy what they have, because others are enjoying also (emphasis mine)”

 Envy is sinful, foolish, and it makes us miserable. Left unchecked, it even takes a physical toll: “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot” (Prov. 14:30).

 Jesus wants us to have a tranquil heart that gives life and health. He made peace for us (Eph 2:14), and He wants us to experience peace!

 His question—“what is that to you?” is the rebuke of a loving Father. He wants to rescue us from envy and lead us in the path of peace.