Jealousy and Envy

Jealousy and Envy

What is Jealousy?

Jealousy and envy are closely related emotions, but they are not exactly the same. The Bible treats them as serious issues of the heart because they can grow into sin, conflict, and broken relationships.

Jealousy is possessive, suspicious, and driven by insecurity.

Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.


Envy is listed as a work of the flesh in Galatians 5:

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Jealousy and Envy are both negative qualities. They are similar and can lead to bitterness, strife, resentment, rivalry, anger and sinful desire. 


Envy Can Lead to Jealousy

The progression often looks like this:

  • Comparison – noticing what someone else has.
  • Envy – wanting what they have.
  • Resentment – feeling bitter toward them.
  • Jealousy – fearing they will surpass you or take what is yours.
  • Conflict or sin.

Biblical examples

1. King Saul becoming jealous of David after David’s victories

1 Samuel 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.


2. Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

  • Cain envied Abel because God accepted Abel’s offering.
  • That envy turned into jealous anger, which led to murder.

How do you rid yourself of these characteristics?

1. Practice Contentment- Learning to be satisfied with what God has given.

Hebrews 13:5 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.


2. Focus on Gratitude-Thankfulness reduces comparison.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


3. Celebrate Others Instead of Competing-Choose to rejoice when others succeed.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.


4. Walk in the Spirit- The opposite of envy is love and humility.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


5. Remember Love Is Not Envious- True love removes jealousy.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.