Duncan Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 it seems to me that envy is wanting what someone else has, but is that a good definition? I see people with lots of stuff that I would like but i don't want their stuff I want me own so I go out and get it if I can. What really is envy and why is it bad? I wouldn't swipe another person's stuff or anything like that.
rodheadlee Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Envy is when you hate someone because of what they have. It may not be the dictionary definition but I've seen it in action. A friend flew 2 of us up to Seattle to move a yacht to San Francisco. The friend that flew us up also had a motoryacht, a summer home, a winter home and a Corvette etc.. The other friend that basically had nothing could not even have a good time on somebody else's dime. He was so envious of this guy's posessions that it ruined the trip for him. By the time he got dropped off at his home he was down right mad. I never understood it myself, i'm just happy to be here. 2
bluebell Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 I pretty much see envy as ingratitude mixed with jealousy and believe that it's harmful because it makes us self-centered, keeps us from being thankful for the blessings we do have, and in a lot of ways makes us an enemy to those we are jealous of.I don't think it's just about wanting something someone else has, but being upset that they have it at all when we don't.
Glenn101 Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Envy is wanting to have what someone else has, and for them not to have it. The first dictionary definition goes like this, "a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc." So, now we need to define "covet" (the word used in one of the Ten Commandments "Thou Shalt Not), "to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property."Glenn
Duncan Posted February 20, 2013 Author Posted February 20, 2013 all great responses! food for thought!
CV75 Posted February 20, 2013 Posted February 20, 2013 it seems to me that envy is wanting what someone else has, but is that a good definition? I see people with lots of stuff that I would like but i don't want their stuff I want me own so I go out and get it if I can. What really is envy and why is it bad? I wouldn't swipe another person's stuff or anything like that.The same with coveting. "But covet earnestly the best gifts..." (1 Corinthians 12:31). When it is a form or envy or coveting that distracts or detracts from charity and from the practice of "pure religion and undefiled," that would be bad envy, and when it contributes to charity, it is good envy. But because of human nature, we seem to usually tend to think of it in the negative sense. 1
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