Envy

Envy can be overt, out in the open, pure jealousy, or it can be subtle and even hidden. Today's Old Testament reading from the first Book of Samuel, (1 Sam 18: 6-9; 19: 1-7), describes Saul's blatant envy of David about whom the woman chanted the refrain, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."  So galled was Saul that he discussed killing David with his son, Jonathan.  He could not stand being in competition with this young man and wanted the full spotlight for himself.  Jonathan, David's good friend, persuaded Saul to relent and he did, swearing that he would no be killed.  This truce lasted temporarily but his envy continued to smolder beneath the surface and the two could never get close.
Envy, one of the seven capital sins, eats away like a horde of termites in a wooden barn.  Left alone, the barn will eventually collapse.  Untended, un-corrected, re-diverted,  envy will do the same in us.
It's easy to see and point it out in others, but somehow is not so visible in our own eyes, part of the reason why it is so destructive.  Let us pray that we might listen to others, to the Jonathans in our lives, and ask God to cleanse us from it and its terrible consequences.
Bro. Rene