Jealousy and envy can creep into the human heart, often without warning, leading us away from the love and serenity that God wishes for us. These emotions are discussed at length in the Bible, offering us wisdom on confronting and overcoming them. Within the sacred texts, we find 56 Bible verses that illuminate the path to understanding and managing these challenging emotions.
As we delve into the scriptures, we recognize the destructive power that jealousy and envy can hold over our lives. By turning to the Word of God, we allow His light to penetrate these dark corners of our hearts. Accompanied by seven thoughtful Christian quotes, this collection serves as a beacon, guiding us toward a more peaceful and loving existence. Continue reading to understand what the Bible teaches about jealousy and envy.
"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there."
- James 3:16 (NKJV)
"A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones."
- Proverbs 14:30 (NKJV)
"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
- Galatians 5:26 (NKJV)
"You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s."
- Exodus 20:17 (NKJV)
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom."
- James 3:13 (NKJV)
"For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one."
- Job 5:2 (NKJV)
"But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth."
- James 3:14 (NKJV)
"Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, But who is able to stand before jealousy?"
- Proverbs 27:4 (NKJV)
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,"
- Galatians 5:19-20 (NKJV)
"For jealousy is the rage of a man; Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance."
- Proverbs 6:34 (NKJV)
"Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame."
- Song of Solomon 8:6 (NKJV)
"And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 (NKJV)
"But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul."
- Acts 13:45 (NKJV)
"Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple."
- Job 5:2 (NKJV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"
- Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."
- Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
- Romans 12:21 (NKJV)
"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
- Proverbs 14:30 (NKJV)
"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,"
- 1 Peter 2:1 (NKJV)
"Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself."
- Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
- James 3:16 (NKJV)
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain."
- 1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)
"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
- Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:"
- Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)
"A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked."
- Psalms 37:16 (NKJV)
"Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind."
- Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NKJV)
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition."
- 1 Timothy 6:9 (NKJV)
"And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
- 1 Timothy 6:8 (NKJV)
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up,"
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)
"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame."
- Song of Solomon 8:6 (NKJV)
"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."
- Romans 13:8 (NKJV)
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
- Proverbs 10:12 (NKJV)
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'"
- 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
- John 13:35 (NKJV)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;"
- Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)
"A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones."
- Proverbs 14:30 (NKJV)
"Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass."
- Psalms 37:5 (NKJV)
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
"He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage."
- Proverbs 11:28 (NKJV)
"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."
- Psalms 37:4 (NKJV)
"Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity."
- Psalms 37:1 (NKJV)
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
- Proverbs 11:2 (NKJV)
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."
- Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."
- Romans 12:16 (NKJV)
"Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor."
- Proverbs 18:12 (NKJV)
"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.'"
- James 4:6 (NKJV)
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
- James 4:10 (NKJV)
"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility."
- Proverbs 15:33 (NKJV)
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
"Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up,"
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
- Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."
- Psalms 95:2 (NKJV)
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
- Psalms 107:1 (NKJV)
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."
- Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
- James 1:17 (NKJV)
"I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving."
- Psalms 69:30 (NKJV)
"Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own."
- Harold Coffin
"The heart that is filled with gratitude has no room for envy or complaints."
- Joyce Meyer
"Envy is a symptom of lack of appreciation of our own uniqueness and self-worth. Each of us has something to give that no one else has."
- Elizabeth O'Connor
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
- Theodore Roosevelt
"Focusing on what you don't have gets you nowhere. But gratitude for the life you do have will bring you to a place beyond your wildest dreams."
- TobyMac
"Jealousy is a trap that snags the most common of men. But when your identity is found in Christ, your identity is too secure to be jealous."
- Jefferson Bethke
"Let us be eager to leave what is familiar for what is true."
- Francis Chan
Understanding the impact of jealousy and envy is vital in the faith journey. Christians must look to scripture and godly wisdom to navigate these challenging emotions. The Bible addresses these issues and provides the spiritual guidance necessary to overcome them and lead a life characterized by love, trust, humility, and gratitude.
"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there."
- James 3:16 (NKJV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"
- Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)
"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
- Proverbs 14:30 (NKJV)
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