6 Ways to Silence Envy With God’s Truth

Everyone experiences moments of envy. We see something another has and feel a desire or even a hurt that they possess something we have never been able to acquire. It could be a job, a life stage, a location, a circumstance, or even a tangible item.

Whatever it is, envy can eat away at us, and those small moments of feeling jealous can turn into a characteristic that shapes us, our perspectives, and even our actions.

As scripture tells us, we must take all our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and compare them to the light of God’s truth. This is true for envy as well. We must not wallow in it, let it consume us, or direct us. We must silence the envy in our hearts with God’s truth, which can instead fill us with gratitude and joy.

Outside circumstances will always tempt us to envy, so we must fight the battle against envy from the inside out.

Here are six practical ways to reject envy and replace it with God’s truth.

1. Flip the Script:

When thoughts of envy or comparison begin to creep in, flip them around and reframe them as gratitude. If you find out your friend received a raise and you are still struggling financially, praise God for the way He is taking care of your friend and then thank Him for the ways He has taken care of you in your own life. If you visit a friend’s home and the style and decor are what you always dreamed of, replace thoughts of envy with compliments on her home. Ask for tips on decorating. Thank God for your personal space, and consider how someone from a less fortunate situation would view it. In almost any situation, you can reframe the situation. Just as annoyance at washing dishes can turn into gratitude for the food on the plates and the people who ate it, a situation that tempts you to envy can instead be an opportunity to count your blessings and praise God for the way He bestows His gifts on others.

2. Digital Declutter:

Much of our envy is fueled by the fact that we can see into so many people’s lives online. Apps show us perfectly styled homes, and social media feeds show us idyllic lives. Whatever causes us to be envious, we should remove it from our lives. Consider deleting accounts from your social media feeds that make you feel jealous. Only keep accounts that build you up spiritually rather than bring you down. Cancel subscriptions to magazines and media channels that tempt you to covet. Simplify your life and narrow your focus to your reality, and you will feel more contentment.(Mark 9:43)

3. Listen to a Story:

Envy often comes from a narrow focus on what we think life should be like. We get accustomed to living in a prosperous world. Listening to biographies of missionaries or people who lived in less affluent times can put our current circumstances into perspective. These true stories can shift our minds and hearts from what we don’t have to what we do have. Stories such as The Hiding Place, Little House on the Prairie, Evidence Not Seen, and more can show us how blessed we are. Put a book on audio to listen to as you work to keep your mind and heart from envy.

4. Have a Servant’s Heart:

It has been said that serving others takes you outside of yourself. It is hard to be envious when you are thinking about other people. Find ways to serve others in the community or at church. Folding clothes at the local Pregnancy Support center taught my daughters and me that we were blessed to be able to afford clothing from the thrift store and to have family members who would sometimes buy us things.

5. Use a Scriptural Shield:

The best way to combat darkness is with light, and a lie with truth. When your thoughts become sinful, and envy rules your mind, you must battle it with scripture. Look up scriptures that speak truth into your thoughts. Search out scriptures about God’s provision. Memorize scripture on the dangers of coveting. Read scripture on being a servant or on humility. These scriptures will beat back your envious thoughts and replace them with ones of gratitude and a desire to glorify God in whatever situation He has placed you in.

6. Find a Mission (Literally):

Research various missionaries or mission organizations that you could learn about and support. Your church may support missionaries. Find out who they are and connect with them. Send encouraging letters or cards. Send monetary support. Learn about the cause they are working for. Get to know them. Becoming acquainted with missionaries who may not live in ideal circumstances and who often face difficulties can help you to keep your own wants and desires in perspective. Having real relationships with people who have less than you do can open your eyes to your blessings and gifts.

There will always be people who have more than you or whose lives seem to move more smoothly than yours does. You can not control how God chooses to bless people, but you can control how you react to it. You can control how it shapes you.

You can become bitter and angry as you focus on your have-nots, or you can live in the freedom of accepting God’s plan for you, knowing that whatever He has given you is good, for your good, and for His glory.