“The Green-Eyed Monster”
October 30, 2022
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30
Halloween seemed like a good time to write about monsters since they are popular costumes for trick or treating. Many a Frankenstein, Godzilla, and Werewolf came knocking at my door on Halloween over the years, and I seem to remember donning a monster costume or two as a kid during my Halloween ventures. However, I don’t recall seeing anyone dress up as the “green-eyed monster”.
Shakespeare coined the phrase, “green-eyed monster” in his 1604 play, Othello, and he used it as a synonym for jealousy and envy. In Renaissance England most emotions were matched with colors and green was matched with envy and jealousy. Even today, we refer to emotions in terms of color, such as when we talk about feeling blue when we are down. And we still couple envy and green and we may say from time to time, “I’m green with envy” rather than simply saying, “I’m envious.”
However, even though green is a very beautiful color, there is nothing pretty about being a green-eyed monster. Proverbs 14:30 clearly states, “Envy rots the bones”. Envy is a heartbreaking emotion that invites comparison of relationships, success, status, or image. It is a response to another person who has these qualities that we desire but believe we lack in comparison. As a result of this jealousy, relationships are often destroyed, people are villainized, and bitterness is cultivated.
The root of envy, in almost every case, is dissatisfaction with our own lives. We yearn for success, connection or affection with others and we don’t get it. Yet we watch someone else we believe doesn’t deserve it as much, receive it in plenty. Envy, at its core, also comes from the lack of belief that God is sovereign, cares deeply for us, and has wonderful plans for our lives.
The first part of Proverbs 14:30 says, “The heart at peace gives life to the body.” One way to overcome envy is to focus on who God is and to focus on what He promises to do for us. Psalm 37:3-7 is a good place to start meditating on many truths about God and His promises.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
These verses are just some of the many examples throughout the Bible that remind us that God knows exactly who we are and what our hearts desire. Praying to God, asking Him to help us overcome our envy, and expressing gratitude for the gifts God has given to us will help us slay the green-eyed monster.
Interestingly, the color green is also a soothing color associated with peace, quietness, and rest. It is a color that can invite harmony and diffuse anxiety and bitterness. So I am going to trade in my green-eyed monster mask for the peaceful green of a tranquil heart that gives life to the body!