Jealousy is one of the most powerful and destructive emotions. It can tear apart families and friendships. It can make people do crazy things. And to God, it is a mortal sin.
In the Bible, there are many examples of people being jealous of others. In the book of Genesis, Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because he was their father’s favorite son. They sold him into slavery because of their envy. In the New Testament, Jesus tells a story about a man who was jealous of his neighbor because they had more stuff than he did. The man ended up killing his neighbor out of his unreasonable spite.
The lesson to be learned is that we should not be envious of our fellow people. We should not covet that which is not ours. We should be content with what we have and who we are rather than compare ourselves to others and desire their possessions.
To keep yourself grateful and humble, read these 10 bible verses:
James 3:16 NIV
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Proverbs 27:4 NIV
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 3:3 NIV
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?
Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Exodus 20:17 NIV
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Job 5:2 NIV
Resentment kills a fool,
and envy slays the simple.
Proverbs 14:30 NIV
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 6:34 NIV
For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury,
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.