Sermon: A Tranquil Heart vs. Envy
Today, we focus on Proverbs 14:30: “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
The Poison of Envy: A Tale of Snow White
Once upon a time, a queen had a daughter with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony wood—Snow White. The queen died, and the king remarried a beautiful but proud and arrogant woman. She owned a magic mirror and asked daily, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who in this land is fairest of all?” The mirror always replied, “You, my queen, are fairest of all,” and she was satisfied, knowing the mirror spoke truth.
But one day, the mirror declared, “Snow White is a thousand times fairer than you.” Enraged with envy, the queen’s heart burned. Her hatred grew like a weed, stealing her peace day and night. She ordered her huntsman to kill Snow White in the forest. While Snow White’s story continues, the queen’s envy destroyed her from within, far worse than the exile she imposed on Snow White.
Envy in the Modern Mirror
Today, many of us look into a modern “magic mirror”—our smartphones. Social media platforms show us curated lives, tempting us to compare and covet. Like the queen, we seek affirmation, but these digital mirrors often leave us feeling inadequate, envious of others’ beauty, success, or lifestyles.
Defining Envy and Coveting
Envy is a form of coveting—an unlawful desire for what belongs to another. The Tenth Commandment is clear: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servants, livestock, or anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17). Coveting goes beyond God’s boundaries, desiring what He has not given us. While some desires—like longing for Christ, marriage, or family—are godly, they become sinful when we pursue them in ways that break God’s law.
The Tenth Commandment is unusually detailed, listing specific objects of covetousness. Why? Because coveting often leads to other sins: coveting a neighbor’s house might lead to murder; coveting their spouse, to adultery; coveting their servants or livestock, to theft or false witness. Coveting is not just wanting something—it’s a desire that tempts us to sin to obtain it.
Envy is coveting directed at a person. We covet the ox; we envy the ox’s owner. The test for envy is simple: when someone else receives something good, do we feel annoyed or bitter instead of joyful? For example, I’ve struggled with envying other pastors—those wittier, smarter, or with larger congregations. Social media amplified this temptation, which is why I stepped away from certain platforms.
The Antidote to Envy: Contentment
The opposite of envy is contentment—rejoicing in others’ blessings, even when we lack what we desire. We naturally do this for our children, delighting in their successes. Imagine if we extended that joy to our neighbors! Proverbs 14:30 contrasts envy’s decay with a tranquil heart’s life-giving power. A tranquil heart, rooted in contentment, brings vitality, while envy rots us from within.
The Internet’s Role in Envy
The internet intensifies envy in three ways:
- Expanded Comparison: A century ago, we compared ourselves to a few neighbors. Now, social media connects us to thousands, bombarding us with images of wealth, travel, or success—often in January and February’s chill when others post from sunny vacations.
- Curated Perfection: Unlike seeing a neighbor’s house from all angles—flaws included—online images show only the best, often filtered or AI-enhanced, creating an illusion of unattainable perfection.
- Overwhelming Volume: We scroll through countless images in minutes, multiplying opportunities for envy compared to slower, real-world interactions.
This is especially harmful to teenage girls. Research from social media companies themselves shows that platforms like Instagram often leave young women feeling worse about themselves, yet they return for more. Depression and anxiety rates among teens were stable for decades until around 2010, when smartphones with front-facing cameras enabled selfies and constant comparison. Emergency room visits for self-harm have since spiked, and anxiety levels have tripled. Giving a child a smartphone without guidance is like handing them a bottle of whiskey and saying, “Drink responsibly.”
Escaping Envy Through Christ
Envy predates smartphones—it traces back to Eve’s desire for the forbidden fruit. The true antidote is contentment in Christ. Romans 8:32 promises, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” If God gave us Jesus, what lesser thing would He withhold? In Christ, we have salvation, the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and an eternal inheritance—everything we need for life and godliness.
Melissa Kruger writes, “Coveting does not result because we don’t have something. We covet because we fail to believe something.” We envy when we doubt God’s goodness, forgetting that He works for our good, even in lack. Whether we lack beauty, followers, or material wealth, Christ is enough.
Practical Steps
- Parents, Guard Your Children: Be cautious about giving kids internet access. Every device is a battleground. Once a smartphone enters their life, it’s hard to reclaim control. Consider delaying unrestricted devices until at least age 16.
- Limit Technology’s Hold: If apps foster envy, delete them. If Jesus urges us to cut off a hand to avoid sin, surely we can uninstall apps that harm us. Build boundaries around technology to protect your heart.
- Look Back and Forward: When tempted to envy, look back to Christ’s sacrifice—God gave His Son for us. Look forward to His promise of all things. Even in suffering or lack, Christ is present, shaping us for His glory.
Conclusion
Envy makes our bones rot, but a tranquil heart gives life. Like the queen in Snow White, we risk becoming consumed by envy when we seek affirmation from digital mirrors. Instead, let’s seek contentment in Christ, trusting His promises over the fleeting likes and clicks of this world. For our children, ourselves, and our neighbors, let’s stand on the truth that in Jesus, we have everything we need.
Prayer Lord, help us see that You provide all we need in Christ. Fill our hearts with contentment, freeing us from envy’s traps. Give parents wisdom and courage to guide their children, and grant teens grace to navigate this world. May we look to You for life, salvation, and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.