Envy and jealousy are two words that are often used interchangeably in everyday language. However, the Bible makes some distinctions between these two attitudes of the heart. Understanding the differences can give us insight into how to avoid falling into these sinful traps.
Definitions
Let’s start with some basic definitions from a biblical perspective:
- Envy – Wanting something that someone else has. Being discontented with your current situation because someone else has what you desire.
- Jealousy – The fear that something or someone you possess will be taken away by another person. It is a form of covetousness.
Essentially, envy focuses on what you don’t have but want. Jealousy focuses on what you do have and are afraid to lose. Envy looks outward, jealousy turns inward.
Examples in the Bible
We see envy on display in the very first family recorded in the Bible. Cain was envious of his brother Abel because God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s (Genesis 4:3-5). Cain focused on what he did not have rather than being content with God’s will. This envy led to anger, and ultimately to murder.
Jealousy is illustrated in the life of Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul became jealous of David after David defeated Goliath and received more praise from the people than Saul did (1 Samuel 18:6-9). Saul feared losing his position as king to David, who had gained popularity. This jealousy led Saul into a decades long pursuit of David to kill him.
From these and other examples, we see how envy and jealousy, though related, stem from slightly different heart conditions – both of which are dangerous.
Envy Leads to Other Sins
Envy often leads to a trail of other sins. When we are focused on what we don’t have instead of what God has graciously given us, it can quickly spiral out of control:
- Covetousness – We desperately crave the things others have.
- Ingratitude – We forget to be thankful for what we do have.
- Bitterness – We harbor ill feelings towards those who have what we want.
- Resentment – We feel like life has treated us unfairly.
- Anger – We hate that others have things we don’t.
- Murder – In severe cases, envy leads to violence like with Cain.
The book of Galatians warns that “envy” is one of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). James 3:14-16 explains that envy comes from earthly, unspiritual wisdom and leads to disorder and evil practices.
Jealousy Also Destructive
Like envy, jealousy often brings about many other problems when left unchecked:
- Suspicion – We distrust others and think they are out to take what is ours.
- Fear – We become afraid of losing possessions, status, relationships.
- Anxiety – We worry constantly about what we might lose.
- Resentment – We feel bitter if we lose what we value to others.
- Anger – We hate when someone threatens to take from us.
- Control – We try to micromanage people and situations.
- Manipulation – We resort to dishonest tactics to hold onto what is ours.
Jealousy shows up in the list of carnal works of the flesh that keep people out of God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 12:20). Scripture repeatedly warns against jealousy and envying because it leads to strife (Philippians 1:15, James 3:14-16).
Envy Stems From Discontentment
Why does envy have such as grip on the human heart? Envy flows out of a spirit of ingratitude, covetousness and discontentment. Rather than being satisfied with where God has placed us, we look at what others have and become consumed with a desire for the same.
We always want more – a better job, a nicer house, a more attractive spouse, more talents and opportunities. We compare our lives to others and forget how much God has already given us. This robs us of joy in the present.
Proverbs 14:30 warns us that envy leads to “rottenness of the bones.” When we are ungrateful and discontent in our current circumstances, it eats away at our satisfaction and steals our joy.
On the contrary, godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). The antidote to envy is developing a heart of gratitude to God. Thanking God for His many blessings keeps us from complaining about what we don’t have.
Jealousy Comes From Insecurity
Where does jealousy come from? Jealousy seems to stem from deep-rooted insecurity. We are afraid that if someone else gains something, then we will lose our standing or position. This reveals pride, a need to protect our turf, and lack of trust in God.
In a jealous craze, King Saul lost his family dynasty. Saul saw David as a threat to his kingdom, but his jealousy backfired. God removed the kingdom from Saul’s lineage and gave it to David. Saul’s jealousy cost him far more than if he had simply trusted God.
Proverbs 6:34 says that jealousy arouses fury. Jealous anger does not lead to positive outcomes. It only destroys relationships and leads to more pain. The antidote to jealousy is faith – trusting that God is control and will secure what belongs to us.
How to Detect Envy and Jealousy
Since envy and jealousy can be subtle and grow in our hearts slowly over time, how can we identify if they have taken root?
Signs that envy may be present:
- Feeling deprived when you hear about the accomplishments or possessions of others
- Secretly wishing for the downfall of someone who is more successful
- Spending more time wanting things you don’t have versus enjoying what you do have
- Negative thoughts and bitterness towards those who are more fortunate
- Downplaying the success and happiness of others
- When something good happens to someone, your first thought is wondering when that will happen to you
Signs that jealousy may be present:
- Feelings of suspicion or fear about losing something you value to others
- Needing to know and control everything in a relationship
- Preventing others from interacting or connecting with your significant other
- Accusing or blaming others if something goes wrong
- Pushing away or undermining anyone you perceive as better than you
- Feeling threatened when someone else receives praise or recognition
Overcoming Envy and Jealousy God’s Way
Thankfully, as Christians we are not stuck living with envy and jealousy. Through faith in Christ, we can experience freedom in these areas when we apply these biblical principles:
- Repent and ask God to change your heart and root out all envy and jealousy (Psalm 139:23-24)
- Commit to rejoicing when others are blessed instead of feeling deprived (Romans 12:15)
- Rather than compare up, look to those less fortunate and serve them (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Spend more time thanking God for what you do have versus wanting more (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
- Trust God’s plan for your life rather than striving or envying others (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Find security in your identity in Christ so you don’t have to compete (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Ask God to help you desire His glory above all else (Isaiah 42:8)
As we grow in embracing an attitude of gratitude and find our satisfaction in Christ, envy and jealousy lose their grip over our hearts. However, it requires intentionally nurturing godly habits and perspectives daily.
Walking in freedom from envy and jealousy then allows us to have more godly relationships built on love, trust and mutual celebration of one another.
Envy Leads to Destruction, Godliness Leads to Contentment
The book of James paints a clear contrast between the results of envy versus godly living:
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
(James 3:16-17)
As tough as it is to admit, envy reveals our selfishness. We want what others have simply because they have it. Envying others’ possessions, relationships, talents or circumstances does absolutely nothing good for us or them. It simply leads to more sin and steals our joy.
On the other hand, when we walk in step with God’s Spirit and wisdom, we experience freedom from constant craving and comparisons. We learn to be content in God’s providence and timing.
The apostle Paul provides us a great example of someone who learned contentment despite difficult circumstances. He writes:
. . . for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:11-13)
Rather than envying his imprisonment, punishments and deprivations, Paul chose to be content and trust God’s plan. This freed him up to live out God’s calling on his life with joy and thanksgiving, even in suffering.
Similarly, we can break free from the traps of envy and jealousy as we trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty over every detail of our lives. His grace is sufficient for us.
Cultivating Gratitude Defeats Envy
Dr. Leslie Vernick, a Christian counselor, writes this about how gratitude counters envy:
Grateful people focus on what they have, not what they lack. They rejoice in other’s successes. They are continually aware of God’s grace and blessings in their life. They are the kind of people who always see the glass as half full versus half empty.[1]
There are always others who have more talents, possessions, opportunities or better circumstances than we do. We even may face times of legitimate lack due to trials beyond our control. But we can still choose gratitude and contentment.
The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Making thankfulness a regular habit reroutes our perspective from what we don’t have to appreciation for what we do have. Gratitude fills our minds with thoughts about God’s goodness and blessings so there’s no room left for envy to take root.
Developing Security in Christ Defeats Jealousy
Since jealousy flows from insecurity, the solution is cultivating godly security. When our identity and worth is firmly rooted in who God says we are, we don’t have to be jealous of anyone else.
In Christ, believers are completely loved and accepted by God (Ephesians 1:3-6). We have no need to perform or strive. There is no need for comparison or competition. God’s love for us does not change based on someone else’s success or failure.
Understanding our security and value in Christ frees us up to celebrate others without feeling threatened. Our primary concern becomes God’s kingdom, not building up our own. We can then focus on stewarding well what God has entrusted to us rather than fearing loss.
Developing spiritual maturity in Christ is a lifelong process for believers. But the more we grow in our faith, the less stronghold envy and jealousy have over us. We experience freedom to love others and rejoice when they are blessed when our identity is rooted firmly in Christ.
Ask God to Renew Your Heart and Mind
As with any sin struggle, overcoming envy and jealousy requires first humbly confessing it to God and asking for His help. We have to own our propensity towards these attitudes and genuinely want deliverance.
King David offers a great prayer model after he had fallen into terrible sin with Bathsheba:
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)
May we all frequently ask God to search our hearts and reveal any areas of envy or jealousy. Where He points out sin, we must repent and ask Him to renew our minds to be more like Christ.
As we humble ourselves before God, He promises to lift us up and draw near to us (James 4:10). By the power of His Spirit, we can walk in the freedom for which Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1).
Envy and jealousy have no place in the life of a believer who finds their satisfaction in Christ alone. May we all strive to know Christ more, trust His heart for us, and follow His example of humble gratitude and service.