You might have heard of the Bible verses about jealousy. Most of us have been taught to avoid jealousy and possessiveness as a sin. Because we have been made in God’s image, it seems natural that we should love each other as Jesus loves us.
Despite this understanding, however, many people still suffer from jealousy and trust issues because of this.
Bible Verses about Jealousy
Jealousy is a common human experience, and it affects everyone in different ways and can be troublesome to overcome.
Jealousy is, however, not exclusive to the human experience and can also be referenced in the Bible. If you have time, I recommend reading these Bible verses about jealousy because they will benefit you.
They should thus help you understand this emotion much better and give you insight into overcoming it.
James 3:16 – Jealousy Births Envy.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
James 3:16 ESV
Jealousy birth envy; envy makes man never satisfied with what we have because we learn to covet what others have that we don’t constantly. And it fills our hearts with the selfish ambition to do whatever is required to get what we want.
Our self-ambition will eventually require us to hurt someone else to get what we want. It encourages us to make excuses for our selfishness and makes us rigid and resistant to correction.
Pain and destruction become the norm when everyone lives according to this worldly wisdom, and self-sacrifice for the good of others becomes the rare exception.
James 4:2-3 – Be satisfied with what you have.
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
James 4:2-3 ESV
Jealousy can lead to much evil and must time desiring something just because others have them. This can lead to evil thoughts or an act of killing and blackmailing to acquire and accomplish our selfish desire.
Sometimes even Christians might lay down their faith and do other things just because they prayed for something, and it didn’t come fast as they wanted.
Believers must always be satisfied with whatever God has blessed them with, and should always wait for God’s time, never let jealousy push them astray.
Proverbs 14:30 – We are to rejoice over others’ success.
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:30 ESV
Envy is deadly. It will destroy your soul, body, and life. And it will take you to hell for eternity. But before it takes you to the lake of fire, it will pervert your thinking, torture your mind, ruin your health, consume your body, wreck your reputation, and destroy your life.
Hate envy, and do not play with it. Reject any idea that can allow jealousy and survival. We are to rejoice over others’ success and not envy them; there are consequences for people who envy others; it doesn’t add to our success, but rather, it eats us up.
James 3:14 – Guard your words and action.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
James 3:14 ESV
Believers are to guard their words and actions. Being zealous or desirous of the things of God and having a passion for that which is honest and trustworthy is a good thing.
However, this will have a devastating effect when one’s desire is diverted into egotistical self-seeking or follows in an ungodly direction.
As Christians, we are to rigorously guard ourselves against bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts and learn to walk in the spirit, light, and truth for our spiritual development and the greater glory of our God and Saviour.
Proverbs 27:4 – Anger and wrath cause men to do cruel and outrageous things.
Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
Proverbs 27:4 ESV
Anger is wrong, but envy is worse. A hot temper is destructive for a short time, but jealousy feeds long bitterness. Anger and wrath cause men to do cruel and outrageous things.
Men get twisted by rage, but envy sees everything with a poisoned view. Wrath can control emotions for a time, but jealousy can eat your soul away until death.
Envy is worse than anger or wrath; envy births anger and rage. It needs no provocation, as do anger and outrage.
Jealousy can be seen as hostile and malicious feelings of jealous resentment toward another person for their advantage over you. Believers are to love and care for one another; they free themselves from every grudge and malicious lifestyle so that the Holy Spirit can access their lives.
Galatians 5:19-21 – Men led by their human nature are bound to fall into sin.
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.
Galatians 5:19-21 ESV
The flesh can be seen as something human; living in the flesh means living on our leading and want without involving God or the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Paul, in this passage, has listed the first three sinful lifestyles, all fall within the category of sexuality. “Sexual immorality” refers to any sexual activity outside of biblical marriage. Adultery, bestiality, homosexuality, extramarital sex, promiscuity, and so forth are all covered under this idea.
Men who are led by their human nature are bound to fall into this sinful lifestyle mentioned; as Christians, for us to over this lifestyle, we must walk in the leading of the Holy Spirit so that we may inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 3:3 – jealousy will set in.
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?
1 Corinthians 3:3 ESV
A carnal Christian is sometimes called a “fleshly” believer as he does not submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading but lives his Christian life in his strength rather than in the power of Jesus Christ.
If we live as carnal believers, it means that we rely on our self-life rather than on the life of Christ. We proudly have faith in our abilities instead of trusting the indwelling Holy Spirit and humbly admitting we can do them a no good thing.
While trying to function in our strength, worldly things like jealousy will set in. We are to seek and ask for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so we can live and function in the direction Christ expects from us, so jealousy and strife might find no place in us.
Romans 12:21 – Evil wants to bring us down.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 ESV
We are not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. If we want to be sincere with ourselves, this instruction given to believers is very heard. But it’s only hard and challenging to do when we live for ourselves and by leading ourselves.
Believers must also live for others and be led by the leading of the Holy Spirit in other to overcome evil with good; this will show we live a Christlike life.
If someone is evil towards us, we are to return the blessing. By first forgiving them. Blessing and even giving love to them, speaking and acting with kindness. The goal of evil is to bring us down and turn us from God. If we forgive and bless our persecutors, they fail in their purpose.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 – Love is patient and kind.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 ESV
Love is patient and kind, and it actively waits and actively moves for the good of others. On the other hand, love doesn’t envy or boast, not even regarding the spiritual gifts of one’s self or others.
Love is not arrogant, convinced of one’s superiority over others. Love is not rude, meaning it does not act indecently, sin, or break cultural norms to bring attention to oneself. Love believes all things, pushing the burden of truthfulness onto others instead of carrying the load of uncovering falsehood or jealousy.
Love doesn’t stop hoping for other believers to do good, no matter the evidence of the past. Love doesn’t quit when the trials of life pile up. Love keeps going.
Believers must understand that no matter the level of your spirituality in God or how God is using you to work miracles, even giving out to the poor without loving another, you gain nothing.
Many might wonder why some will give and yet not love, we should understand, and even the scripture talks about hypocrites. Some provide so that others can see.
Exodus 20:17 – Jealousy is unpleasant to God.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Exodus 20:17
Jealousy has made many go against God’s will; jealousy can birth different lifestyles, which is unpleasant to God.
The issue of coveting your neighbor’s wife, your neighbor’s house, or anything they have, is a result of jealousy which makes you not satisfied with the blessing of God upon your life.
As believers, we must not let jealousy come near our dwelling place because it can make us go against God’s laws and commandments, which attract punishment. For believers to overcome jealousy, they must learn to be satisfied with what they have and depend on God for what they want.
Bible Verses about Jealousy and Envy
Jealousy and envy are two of the most destructive emotions a person can feel. They can poison relationships, destroy self-confidence, and lead to self-destructive behaviors. If left unchecked, they can also lead to depression and anxiety.
If you’re struggling with jealousy or envy, know you’re not alone. These are common emotions that many people work with. But there is hope.
The Bible offers guidance and wisdom to deal with these emotions healthily. Keep reading to learn more about Bible verses about jealousy and envy.
Psalm 25:4-5
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 ESV
God is our Saviour, and our hope is in Him throughout the day and night. It’s, therefore, vital that we learn the ways of the Lord. We do not need to ask questions if the Holy Spirit leads us.
The Word of God is a light to our path and a lamp to illuminate how God would have us tread. The Word of God is an instruction manual to teach us His ways and a love letter to all His children.
We are to separate ourselves from the egotistical and envious ways of the wicked. Instead, we are to rest in utter dependence on the Lord Himself as we submit to the leading and guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit will take away envy and jealousy in us.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Several examples illustrate how useless human activity is. Some people drive themselves in their work but can never relax and enjoy it because they are constantly worrying about being ahead of everyone else, and they want to have to want others to have.
Others do not work at all and so ruin themselves. Both extremes should be avoided. People should work for a living and enjoy it, but they should not be so ambitious that they create trouble for themselves.
Because all this is a result of envy towards others’ wealth, and it’s vanity upon vanity.
Psalm 37:1-40
Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. …
Psalm 37:1-40
What pushes most believers to the world is seeing how evildoers prosper and make wealth, yet they are not. People have heard I am good and suffer, so why does God bless them?
People start to look at the lives of others, and they resent God. Sometimes mean people we know might prosper, and we, as Christians, might struggle. We must not envy.
We must trust in the Lord. Don’t envy or be jealous of celebrities who used evil methods to get to where they are. Trust in the Lord. For their wealth is just for a while.
James 4:11
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
James 4:11 ESV
The jealousy that birth envy has led many to different sins. Envy is one of the top reasons why people slander others for no reason. After hearing the good news of others, some people search for something negative to say against others because they are envious of them.
Haters are envious people, and they don’t understand that they are jealous. They don’t know that they try to make people look bad in front of others, give people lousy advice, destroy their reputation, and even judge others because they are envious. They don’t like someone else getting praise and compliments.
5 Bible Verses about Jealousy in Marriage
One of the most damaging emotions that can enter a marriage is jealousy. Jealousy can cause wives to doubt their husbands and husbands to doubt their wives, leading to arguments, mistrust, and even divorce.
The Bible says much about jealousy and how it can destroy a marriage.
Here are 5 Bible verses about jealousy in a marriage that can help you overcome this emotion and strengthen your relationship.
Proverbs 1:33
Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil”
Proverbs 1:33
Insecurity occurs due to jealousy towards the friends or people with whom partners relate and how they relate with them. Wen to deal with our insecurity in our marriage and relationship. Battling insecurity is one of the great struggles within the human heart.
To battle insecurity in our marriage or relationship, we must keep our ears far from listening to gossip about our partners and always believe in their words.
However, this security requires a person to listen to the voice of the Lord and obey His specific commands. God has promised, “Whoever listens to me will dwell safely and be secure, without fear of evil.”
Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Colossians 1:18
We must give up our possessiveness. Possessiveness is at the root of your jealousy, and we must understand that possessiveness is primarily a selfish desire to control your spouse.
Selfishness is ruling and controlling us because Christ is not on the throne of our life. The only way we can reverse this situation, and give up our possessiveness, is to give up the throne of our life and make Christ preeminent.
He must fully possess us and be given preeminence over us so we can be free from this jealousy. He should consistently be recognized as our Lord and master. If He is Lord over our life, then jealousy can not rule over us. We must deny ourselves and begin following Him fully in all areas of our lives.
2 Corinthians. 10:12
“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise”
2Corinthians. 10:12
In marriage, we must stop comparing our spouse with others and also comparing ourselves with others. Comparing yourself with others is one of the most basic causes of jealousy, and it is also a common sin of the flesh and, therefore, must be put off.
Comparisons are one of the central issues that cause and push couples to marriage destruction. Most teams expect and want their spouse to behave and have what other couples have, and sometimes compare their spouse to others in terms of wealth, beauty, and some material things. As believers, we must learn to be satisfied with our spouses.
Proverbs 6:34
For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
Proverbs 6:34 ESV
Revenge comes as a result that one has offended another. In marriage, couples can hurt each other feelings in different ways, and this can easily lead to jealousy. Marital jealousy isn’t considered wrong because it is also part of love.
But here, the passage talks about jealousy that can lead to one being furious. Any jealousy that makes a man angry will make him sin, and he will take revenge as the solution without showing mercy.
We should always understand that God does not need to specially arrange revenge against an adulterer: the typical pattern of the world is likely to make that happen, but as believers, we must show godly jealousy and never take revenge on our spouse.
Bible verses about jealousy and competition
The Bible verses about jealousy and competition contain warnings and cautions against these two deadly emotions. God knows jealousy and competition can lead to many problems, including disharmony, strife, and murder.
These Bible verses are a great reminder of the destructive power of these emotions. They are also a great reminder of God’s love for us and His desire to live in harmony with one another.
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.Better is a handful of equietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
As believers, we should never be jealous of anyone; some people get jealous of their neighbor’s wealth, some of their friends, or even family. Most ministers even get jealous of other pastors’ wealth and their spiritual growth in ministry. We aren’t supposed to live to please a man and the world, but Christ.
All we have is Christ, so we live our lives for Him. Don’t waste your life trying to be like the world. If we keep our minds on Christ and put our hope in God’s Word, I assure you that we will be at peace, and our expectations will come to fulfillment.
Galatians 6:4
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
One of the fastest ways of discouraging yourself and getting trapped by the sin of envy is when you compare yourself to others. God has a specific plan for you; you won’t accomplish that by looking at others.
Count your blessings and not the benefits of someone else. Let God control your life and give Satan no opportunity to discourage you from the purpose God has for you. Know that all you need is Christ. Set your mind at peace by focusing on the Lord.
