The wise words of Proverbs command us not to envy for many good reasons.
Envy fosters a sense of discontent with the blessings we have and focuses on what we lack. When we envy, we’re essentially questioning God’s care and wisdom in the way He distributes His blessings.
Do we trust God’s promise: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11)?
Envy will cause us to have a sense of dissatisfaction with what we have and a desire for more.
Envy ruins the product of godliness: “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
It will hinder us from obeying Jesus’ command, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
The double command of Lady Wisdom emphatically warns against emulating the violent person in even the smallest detail.
Do not envy the violent,
and do not choose any of their ways. (Proverbs 3.31)
Broadly speaking, envy is the passionate attitude of one person against another who stands as a rival to him.
Whether motivated by greed, hatred, or unscrupulous ambitions, those driven by violence use physical brutality, falsehoods in legal settings, and other aggressive tactics to achieve their selfish goals.
“To choose” means to make a careful, well-thought-out choice. We are on the wrong side of wisdom if we choose to imitate the ways of the violent.
Wisdom’s Reasoning
Lady Wisdom doesn’t simply command us to not envy the violent. She also provides many wise reasons why we must do so.
When we envy the violent, we entangle our lives with those who deliberately devise and execute malicious plans, rooted in wicked intentions. They are the “perverse” that we meet in verse 32.
For the perverse are an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence. (Proverbs 3.32)
What makes certain attitudes and activities abhorrent to God? They intend to inflict harm by deceiving, humiliating, or defrauding another person.
The behavior of the perverse is detestable and disgusting in the eyes of God. God disapproves of their actions and behaviors because they are opposed to His commands and principles.
Wisdom tells us to run away from the perverse but to embrace the upright.
If we should envy anyone, it should be the upright. They thrive under God’s protection, enjoy true success, and live in the promise of eternal life through their relationship with Him.
If we’re tempted to envy the wicked, the next verse should cause us to stop and seriously consider that decision.
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the abode of the righteous. (Proverbs 3.33)
The Lord’s curse is a decree expressed by the most powerful authority in the universe. His curse delivers someone over to misfortune, separating them from security, justice, and success.
Everything precious to this person — life, health, fertility, family, and security — is driven away from God’s gracious presence.
As the wicked drove the needy out of their presence, so now the Lord drives them and all they own out from his life-sustaining presence.
The wisdom of Proverbs is not intended to give us ammunition to judge other people. Rather, it serves as a warning.
We don’t want to be under the Lord’s curse. We want to be the ones who experience God’s blessing by following His principles for life.
Another reason Lady Wisdom warns against envying the violent is because they are mockers. In the Old Testament, the term “mocker” or “scorner” is the strongest description for those who defy God’s will.
Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he shows favor. (Proverbs 3.34)
The mocker or scorner will get from God exactly what they give to others.
As they tear everything down with their mouths, so the Lord will tear them down with his curses. As they cover others with reproach, so the Lord will cover them with shame.
The humble are the poor and oppressed. They have diminished capacity, power, and worth.
They are the economically distressed, needy neighbors, and those economically exploited by the violent mockers.
God showers favor upon the humble. If there’s anyone to envy, let it be the humble, not the powerful, nor the mockers, scorners, and violent ones of this world.
In an interesting turn of events, the upright and righteous poor are characterized as the wise, while the devious and mockers are labeled as fools.
The wise will inherit honor,
but stubborn fools, disgrace. (Proverbs 3.35)
Remember, in the Bible, a fool is someone who believes there will be no accountability for their actions.
I’m sure you’ll agree that Lady Wisdom speaks the truth. While envy alone is detrimental, harboring envy for the violent and their methods is even more damaging.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny, and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 