The Grass is Greener Over There

(Having an Evil Eye)

Gary Waddell • iamnotashamed.com • 8/24/2022

“Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's” (Deu 5:21).

  (God's tenth commandment)

Covetousness: It is so prevalent from birth to death: Nearly everyone covets (jealous of something another has) in some form or fashion. Older expressions include, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”, “Keeping up with the Joneses”, and even one of my grandchildren’s teachers from her Kindergarten Class said one time while passing out trinkets, “You get what you get and don’t throw a fit”.   The phrase 'we should be satisfied with what we have', is a good and simple statement, but envy (covetousness), or an 'evil eye', has plagued society throughout the ages.  One incident in the Bible of great envy was when Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard and he wouldn't give it up for it was passed down through the family.  Then Jezebel (1 Kings 21:15), Ahab's wife, had Naboth stoned because he wouldn't give up his family vineyard.  An Evil Eye indeed!  Murder in the first degree.

Definition: Covetousness: eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions: yearn to possess (something belonging to someone else). We also know it is envy, which is a word we may understand a little better. It is actually an ‘evil eye’ (Mark 7:21-22) (Pro 28:22) desiring something that doesn’t belong to you.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5).

When we have ‘Jesus’ we have it all.

Our focus obviously should be on Jesus. When it is, we will not desire something that is the possession of another individual. Yes, as a human being in this world we see a lot of material things that we would like to have for ourselves. Whether or not you convince yourself that it is for the betterment of your family, desiring an object that belongs to another is covetousness. While driving down the highways I see many beautiful small churches and I have learned to bless them and ask God to let those congregations glorify Him, instead of desiring them for my own use.  God gives me what I need when I need it.  I have Jesus and that's enough.

Some folks covet in a larger way, but regardless of the price tag, it's still coveting or envy.

The brilliant Matthew Henry explains it like this: "The nature of envy; It is an evil eye. The eye is often both the inlet and the outlet of this sin. Saul saw that David prospered, and he eyed him, (1 Sam 18:9, 15). It is an evil eye, which is displeased at the good of others, and desires their hurt. What can have more evil in it?  It is grief to ourselves, anger to God, and ill-will to our neighbor; and it is a sin that has neither pleasure, profit, nor honor, in it; it is an evil, an only evil".

An Evil Eye (Pro 28:22) (Mark 7:22)

As for us? Let us keep from envy (or covetousness) and ask God to guide us daily in our walks. We were made to glorify God (1 Cor 6:20) and having an Evil Eye will hinder our walk.  "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:"  (Mark 7:21-22)

God told Paul: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor 12:9).  God’s grace is sufficient for all of us.

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 Friend, if you are living in this world with an "evil eye" or other sin burdens, or if you have little or no direction in this life, there is Someone you can turn to for guidance, direction and forgiveness of all your sins.  He is Jesus Christ who is God in the Flesh.  "For God so loved the world (you and me) that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"  (John 3:16, 18).

God is not a fairytale.  We are only on this earth for a short time (Heb 9:27). 

But we will live somewhere for an eternity (Matt 25:41).  

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved"  (Rom 10:13).

Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless GOD