Source
Envy is the feeling of discontent caused by somebody else's good fortune or success, especially when one wishes this for oneself. Thus, in local parlance, it means to be unhappy, uneasy or even annoyed of the fact that others are excelling or making it other than or instead of you.
The grievous thing about envy is that it targets the success of others. That is, it showcases itself when others are progressing or seems to be ahead of you.
The funny thing about envy is that it wants only you to be progressing or to be at the top, while others trails from behind.
Envy lends its voice or speaks when others seems to catch up with you or even exceed you. The simplest way envy manifest is when someone who is once under or below you now overtakes you. Show me a man who is envious and I will show you a man who has been overtaken in life.
Summarily, envy is a personality that looks at where you are and the fact that someone else is ahead of you; then begins to launch attacks of annoyance, malice or even hatred.
And to this end, Solomon was quick to say: Proverbs 27:4 KJV
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
This follows that envy is the mother who can give birth to all kind of evil vices.
Source
See, an envious person is so deadly and like a serpent secretly waiting to devour. Honey, it is imperative to know that it is nearly impossible to appease or please an envious person. The only natural way you can please an envious person is that you be. come frustrated in life and by so doing; he now overtakes you.
That is, if you are rich, successful or beautiful; then allow him or her to overtake you. But if he or she is still unable to overtake you; then become so poor so that he or she would be richer than you, unsuccessful so that he or she would be successful than you or become so ugly so that he or she would be beautiful than you.
Product of envy
Envy does not produce anything good; rather, it breeds annoyance, hatred, malice and all kind of evil vices. Little wonder Apostle Paul was quick to address the Corinthian Church: 1 Corinthians 3:3
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Thus, to be carnal means to be physical or ordinary. As believers, we ought to be spiritual and spiritually minded. Carnality makes us think and walk like physical men. In the preceding verse (Vs. 2), he addressed them as babes. Thus, envy is mereIy a proof that you are still a babe in Christ. You must now learn to grow unto maturity in Christ.
Source
We must with immediate effect purge ourselves from envy, if not so, the Church will become a battle field. And to this, he was quick to add: Galatians 5:26
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Envy seems to aim at others but end up shooting itself. See, if you are envious of someone you cannot. You know what, you will end up looking for ways or opportunities to criticize, antagonize, fault or even contend with such a person:
In analyzing the product of envy, we shall view it through the eyes of some Biblical characters
Rachael towards leah
Rachael was envious of the fact that Leah had surpassed her in child bearing. While Leah, her mate (and sister) was already counting four, she had not even gotten an issue. And to this, she reacted: And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. Genesis 30:1,3.
Envy set in as soon as her sister and mate overtook her. See, the height of her envy was displayed when she gave her maid to her husband to have children for her, as she was now competing with her sister. See, envy does not have respect for family members or even friends.
Now, to further show that her (Rachael) envy led to years of severe contention with her sister was displayed in the name she gave to her second son:
And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.
And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.Genesis 30:7,8.
Source
See, one would have thought that after her first child from her maid, her envy could have ceased, however; it persisted. And I believe that it persisted even after she started bearing her own children.
It was envy and sheer competition that made her unsatisfied after the birth of Joseph. And in a bid to get another child, she died in labour (Genesis 35:16-18). Ugh! Watch that spear. Who are you competing with? If you view life as competition, then get ready for frustration.