The Bible teaches that envy and jealousy can have destructive consequences in our lives and relationships. According to James 3:16, envy and selfish ambition can lead to disorder and evil practices, while Proverbs 14:30 notes that envy can rot the bones, causing physical and emotional harm. James 4:2-3 warns that our desires can lead to conflict and fighting, and James 3:14 cautions against harboring bitter envy in our hearts. As Proverbs 27:4 observes, anger is cruel and fury is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy, highlighting the devastating power of unchecked envy and jealousy.
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For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.
I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.