Celebrating someone else’s failure can reveal a deeper struggle with envy, comparison, and misplaced gratitude. Rooted in 1 Samuel 18:9, this devotional confronts the subtle sin of rejoicing in others’ misfortune and invites us to trade jealousy for gratitude, humility, and trust in God’s provision.

Highlights

• Envy can quietly turn another person’s hardship into our momentary emotional relief.

• Comparison tempts us to feel better about ourselves when others fall.

• Scripture shows envy is not a minor issue—Saul’s jealousy toward David led to spiritual and emotional destruction.

• Envy says to God, “What You gave me isn’t enough.”

• Coveting blinds us to the blessings God has already placed in our own lives.

• Gratitude breaks the cycle of jealousy and restores spiritual clarity.

• Healing begins when we honestly acknowledge envy and invite God to reshape our hearts.

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Full Transcript Below:

Do You Secretly Celebrate Others Fails or Flaws?

By Kelly Balarie

Bible Reading:

“And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”  –  1 Samuel 18:9 NIV

I am happy this happened to her.

For a split second, my friend's misfortune was my utter joy. As if I was watching her situation unfold on a big screen, I couldn't help but lean in, rub my hands together, and rejoice in her big cash outlay.  Oh yes, I am not the only one who must pay an unexpected bill...!

Shortly thereafter, I felt bad. I love this woman. 

“What is wrong with me?" I thought.

Of course, I'd never admit this sinful thought to another soul. These sorts of things you keep to yourself.  I knew better. 

I knew better to admit my deep satisfaction found in my friend's horrible misfortune. I knew better than to tell anyone how her bad made me feel good for a moment.

I don't think I am alone either. None of us would admit it, because we know better, but I’d venture to say that this is why tabloids are so loved!

When the high and mighty fall, for a moment we feel lifted. 

We think, "At least my life is not as bad as hers." 

Looking at the tabloids in the grocery aisle, we think, at least I’m not as bad as this celebrity who is now busted as a drug addict or a 5-time cheater.At least I’m not her.

Tabloids are the outlet to the joyful slander of envy, just as much as my friend's misfortune was the release for mine.

I wanted what she had, but I didn’t have it, so I coveted her life, her goods, and her income. Envy makes slander easy. Envy easily cuts someone else down to be emotionally built up.

I’m not proud of it, but today, in humility, I admit it.

While no one ever admits this truth, I know I am not alone. It’s as old as Bible times. Think: Cain and Abel, Joseph and His brothers, Saul and David.

Saul envied David, saying, “And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” And from that day forward, Saul kept a jealous eye on David.  (1 Sam. 18:9 NIV)

How did God handle envy, in Saul’s case?

“The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul…” (1 Sam. 18:10 NIV)

God did not take envy lightly, and He doesn’t today either.

When we envy another person, we say to God, “What you gave me is not enough; I hate my portion you gave me; I want their bounty.” Rather than walking with an attitude of gratitude, we count another’s blessings and miss our own. 

We see another’s lot and miss our own flowers.

We look at another’s increase and think it spells out our demise.

We lose our minds with envy, coveting, and jealousy.

I suppose this is why a great command in the bible is, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Deut. 5:21)

Is there grace? Absolutely. Is there a fresh start for those like me, who aren’t even thinking while critiquing and judging others from a root of bitterness called envy? You bet.

But is there a sobriety and a reality check involved with this sin? Yes.

We cannot give God glory for things that we don’t acknowledge. We can’t see God’s best way when we are looking at someone else’s way and sizing it up. We can’t effectively say thank you when we feel hate-filled. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Have you ever tried to drive at high speeds ahead by looking back for long periods of time? Likely no. When we look back for prolonged periods, we are going backwards. The same goes when we compare what we have to what others have. What can you give thanks for in your life today? What has God done for you? How does true gratitude make you feel?