What Does the Bible Say About Jealousy?
Before we discuss what the Bible has to say on jealousy, let’s look at the definition of the word ‘Jealous’
Jealous: feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages Synonyms: Envious, covetous, resentful.
What Does the Bible say about Jealousy, Lets Take a Look:
The Bible has a lot to say about jealousy, coveting, and resentment. Here are just a few verses that speak to these topics:
Proverbs 14:30 – “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Proverbs 27:4 – “Anger is cruel and destructive, but who can stand in the way of jealousy?”
James 3:16 – “For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
1 Corinthians 13:4 – “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant”
Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
1 Corinthians 3:3 – “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
These verses show that jealousy, coveting, and resentment are all negative emotions that can lead to negative consequences. They can cause disharmony and conflict, and they can lead us to act in ways that are not in line with our values. Jealousy is an emotion that is rooted in fear. We may be afraid that we are not good enough, that we will be replaced, or that we will miss out on something good. When we allow jealousy to take over, it can lead us to act in ways that are hurtful and destructive. We may try to control or manipulate others, or we may lash out in anger.
Very few things in life are as corrosive to our entire being than jealousy.
Coveting is another destructive emotion. It is based on the belief that we are lacking something and that we need to have what someone else has. Coveting leads us to envy others and to compare ourselves to them. We may try to acquire things that we cannot afford or that we do not need, just because we want what someone else has.
Resentment is another emotion that can cause harm. It is often based on feelings of anger, hurt, and betrayal. When we hold onto resentment, it can poison our relationships and prevent us from moving forward. We may find it difficult to forgive others, and we may end up harboring ill will towards them. The Bible teaches us that jealousy, coveting, and resentment are all harmful emotions that can lead to negative consequences. We are encouraged to let go of these emotions and to instead focus on love, joy, peace, and patience. This may seem impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. Read on and we will show you how to overcome these negative emotions and live free from bondage to them.
Why do humans feel jealousy:
Jealousy is a feeling that is experienced when a person believes that they are at risk of losing something important to them. Jealousy is often associated with relationships, as people can feel jealous of their partner’s attention or time being given to someone else. Jealousy can also be felt concerning material possessions, such as a person’s car or house. Jealousy is a complex emotion and can often lead to negative behaviors, such as possessiveness, controlling behavior, and even violence. It is important to be aware of the signs of jealousy in a relationship and to overcome it.
Health effects of Jealousy:
Jealousy and coveting can have several negative effects on the body, both physically and mentally. Physical health-wise jealousy and coveting can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety, which can take a toll on the body over time. Jealousy and coveting can also lead to sleeping problems, as well as problems with focus and concentration. In extreme cases, jealousy and coveting can lead to self-harm or even suicide.
Mental Health Results of Jealousy.
Mental health-wise jealousy and coveting can cause a person to become fixated on the person or thing that they are jealous of. This can lead to an obsession that can consume a person’s thoughts and emotions, making it difficult for them to focus on anything else. Jealousy and coveting can also lead to feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and paranoia. In extreme cases, jealousy and coveting can lead to psychotic episodes.
Jealousy’s Effect on Spiritual Health:
Jealousy is a normal emotion. We all experience it from time to time. Jealousy occurs when we feel threatened by the attention someone else is receiving. We may feel threatened because we feel like we are losing something, or we may feel like we are not good enough. Jealousy can harm our spiritual health if we allow it to take control of our thoughts and emotions. When we are consumed by jealousy, we are not focused on God. We are focused on ourselves and what we are lacking.
Jealousy can lead to negative thoughts and behaviors such as comparison, envy, resentment, and bitterness. Provers 14:30 tells us that envy rots the bones. These thoughts and behaviors can damage our relationships with others and with God. When we are jealous, we are not operating in love. Love is patient, kind, and selfless. It does not envy or boast. Love is the opposite of jealousy. If we want to have healthy spiritual lives, we need to guard our hearts against jealousy. We need to focus on God and His love for us. We need to let go of our comparisons and our need to be the best. We need to be content with who we are and what we have.
Historical Examples of Jealousy in the Bible:
Below are some prime Biblical examples of how jealousy can lead to your downfall if you let it control you:
- King Saul was jealous of David because the people loved David more than they loved Saul. This jealousy led to Saul’s attempts to kill David.
- Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because he was their father’s favorite son. This jealousy led them to sell Joseph into slavery. God used this in a redemptive way.
- Ahab was jealous of Naboth’s vineyard, and this led to his death.
- Herod was jealous of the baby Jesus, and this led to the massacre of the innocents.
- The people of Israel were jealous of Moses and Aaron, and this led to their rebellion.
- Jezebel was jealous of Elijah because Elijah was a prophet of God and Jezebel worshiped false gods. This jealousy led Jezebel to try to kill Elijah
- Cain was jealous of Abel because Abel’s sacrifice was more pleasing to God. Cain killed Abel in a fit of jealousy.
Jealousy is a Spiritual Issue:
Numbers 5:14 “And if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife who has defiled herself, or if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife, though she has not defiled herself.”
The Bible calls jealousy a “spirit.” The spirit of jealousy is evil. It can overtake someone when jealousy is not checked by the work of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. It is possible that demonic activity is present in one who continues in the sin of jealousy. If you know that you struggle with jealousy in a crippling way, I want to encourage you to renounce it, repent of it, and command the spirit of jealousy to leave you. As a believer in Christ, you have this authority over the realm of evil spirits and your own life. Ask God to baptize you in the Holy Spirit and begin to bear the fruit of God’s Spirit which is everything opposite of Galatians 5:19-21, which is listed above. Instead of experiencing on those sinful things, you will begin to bear good fruit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
What Does the Bible say About Jealousy? Conclusion:
The Bible says that jealousy and coveting are sinful and destructive emotions that lead to disharmony and division. They are rooted in self-centeredness and greed and ultimately lead to ruin and death. The Bible clearly says that we must not covet what others have and simply be thankful for the precious life we were given. At the end of the day, we all deserve nothing, and yet God gave us life. Not only did he give us life but he
also saved us from death with his son Jesus’ death and on the cross and resurrection. When we are jealous, we are not trusting God. We are not trusting that He is good and that He will take care of us. We are not trusting that He loves us and that He has our best interests at heart. When we are jealous, we are putting our trust in ourselves and our abilities, and not in God. This can lead to all sorts of problems in our relationship with God because we are not trusting Him to be who He is and to do what He says He will do. There is hope to overcome jealousy. It if were not possible the Bible would not tell us to rid ourselves of it. Even for long time believers of Jesus, if recent events in your life have you feeling jealous, God can do a work in your life again.
Prayer Against Jealousy:
Dear God, we come to you today to ask for your help in overcoming the jealousy that plagues us. We know that jealousy is a sin, and it does not please you. We ask for your forgiveness and for your help in getting rid of this sinful emotion. We know that jealousy is rooted in insecurity and fear. We ask that you give us the peace and confidence that we need to not feel jealous. Help us to trust in you and to know that you are in control. We also ask that you help us to love others well. May we see the good in them and celebrate with them when good things happen. May we be quick to encourage and build them up, rather than tear them down. Help us to overcome jealousy, Lord. We know it is not from you and we want to be rid of it. Thank you for hearing our prayer. Jesus, we fix our eyes on you and we pray that our lives may abide by the fruits of the spirit. Thank you for delivering us from jealousy. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen!
Prayer Against the Spirit of Jealousy:
I command the spirit of jealousy to leave me in Jesus’ might name. Lord Jesus, I renounce jealousy, envy, covetousness, and the general dismal feeling I get when I hear good things happening to other people. I choose to repent of the sin of jealousy and to turn from anything in my life which adds to jealous feelings. Help me to see your image in others as they were made in your image too. Thank you for my life and the uniqueness that it is. I choose to be grateful to you for my life.
Click here to learn what the Bible says about pride!
Do you have a church that needs help with content? Then click here!
