My problem was envy. Emerging prophets or even established prophets can fall victim to envy when they see others in ministry receiving the recognition or honor they believe they deserve. But here’s the issue: an envious prophet does not trust God for their promotion and, in fact, delays it. What does it mean to be envious? Merriam-Webster defines envy as:

“a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, accompanied by a desire to possess the same advantage.”

If unchecked, envy can quickly lead to its second definition: “malice.” Can you see the danger? The Bible has much to say about envy. “Envy slays a simple one” (Job 5:2). “Envy is the rottenness of the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). The chief priests handed Jesus over to the Romans because of the envy in their hearts (see Mark 15:10).

Paul warned us not to walk in envy but to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (see Romans 13:13-14), and emphasized that envy is a sign of carnality (see 1 Corinthians 3:3). “Love does not envy” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Envy is a work of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). We are told not to envy one another (see Galatians 5:26). Peter said we should lay aside envy (1 Peter 2:1). James challenged us:

“If you have envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast about it or deny the truth. This wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:14–15)

Can you imagine releasing a prophetic word through the veil of confusion and all kinds of evil? Envy can corrupt the prophetic. Envious prophets quench the Spirit and often disqualify themselves from the anointing that sets captives free because they themselves are captives…

This text is an excerpt from the book The Making of a Prophet written by Jennifer LeClaire.

We invite you to read the following article, I’M CALLED – NOW WHAT?.

ENVY CAN CORRUPT THE PROPHETIC.