Bible Verses About Jealously

Ever feel a twinge of jealousy in the pit of your stomach? I know I have. It might be a distant friend who posts exotic vacation photos while it’s impossible to go on vacation because of my special needs son. Or a jealous burn might rise when someone receives that promotion you prayed your heart out for. Here’s the thing: I want to be genuinely happy for others, yet… something’s holding me back. Therefore, I searched for Bible verses about jealously, so I could be totally free and be the person God made me to be. I’m sure you want that too!

Bible Verses About Jealously

According to the Bible, jealously is a work of the flesh. (Gal. 5:19) Being jealous is a human emotion we will all feel on time or another.

“For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” 1 Cor. 3:3

The bible verse about Jealously above is key when I’m feeling jealous I can’t behave/react negatively. Otherwise, I might move to the next level of jealously, envy, leading me further away from walking in the Spirit. To stop jealously biblically, I need to war against my jealous flesh with one of the fruits of the sprit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, and gentleness and self-control. (Gal.5:22-23)

When a I feel jealous, I need to stope and confess being jealous, than I need to ask God to help cut off this root of jealously.

What is the root of jealously?

Usually jealousy has a root in a childhood experience, especially with siblings.

A child be jealous of a younger sibling because they could do something that the older one couldn’t. Jealousy is intensified by parental favoritism. The following bible verse about jealousy tore a family apart.

“Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” Genesis 28:27

The parent’s favoritism started off a chain of jealousy among siblings for generations. Eventually, Esau wanted to kill Jacob for stealing Esau’s blessing. Jacob flees right into the arms of a sister’s rivalry between Leah and Rachel. In fact, Leah’s children wanted to kill Joseph, Rachel’s son. Their family dynamics make a perfect lifetime movie!

Additional Roots of Jealousy

Thinking you deserve what the other person has.

-Not feeling good enough

-A person’s jealousy can be triggered by another’s success, possessions, or abilities.

-Jealousy can also stem from a feeling that someone has taken away something rightfully belonging to them, such as an object or relationship.

-An extremely competitive environment at home or school

-Fear of abandonment

-Feeling threatened

-Negative comparisons, envying other people because you don’t feel like your own life compares well enough.

-Low self-esteem

-Insecurity can lead to jealousy, when a person feels like they are not enough for the other

What does the Bible say about jealousy and insecurity?

Some roots of jealousy are insecurity, feeling not enough and comparison. For example, Peter might have suffered from insecurity the first time He saw the risen Jesus. Especially after denying he knew Jesus three times. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. After Peter answers yes, Jesus reveals Peter’s missions and says it will cost Peter his life.

Immediately, Peter stares at John, “the disciple Jesus loved most…,”(what a jealously inducing statement!) and asks, “But Lord what about this man?”

Jesus responds with, “what is that to you? You follow me.” John 21:22 and this statement is repeated in John 21:23. Anytime you see a verse repeated, it’s telling us we need to pay attention.

Bible Verse About Jealously to Cut Off the Root

It’s a natural reaction to feel jealous when you’re comparing yourself or your life versus someone else, but it’s destructive if we turn that feeling into envy, anger and suspicion. I found one effective way to cut off the root of is to repeat John 21:22 “what is that to me I’m following you, Jesus.” Personalize the verse to your situation to make it even more powerful.

It’s not necessarily always bad to be jealous or insecure because sometimes people just need reassurance from their partners that they are loved and cared for. Or healthy jealously, friendly competition, can aspire some people to push through to their goals. Jealousy is an issue we all have inside of us so no one should feel condemned when a jealous feeling arises. But when jealously turns to full-blown envy, angry and suspicious you need to address these feelings so you can walk in freedom of the flesh. In the next section, we will address additional ways to stop jealously.

How do you stop jealousy biblically?

If you felt jealous in any situation, try to identify the root of your feelings. The Bible tells us that “the roots-of jealousy are bitter, and its fruit is evil.” (Heb,12:15 Mat 7:17-18, Eph. 4:31) It’s important to examine the root, since uncheck jealously, envy leads to death spiritually or physically as detailed below.

Cain killed Abel in an envious rage, since God rejected Cain’s vegetable offering but accepted Abel’s animal sacrifice. Ironically, Cain didn’t want to kill animals, yet due to envy, he killed his own brother.

King Saul became jealous of David and sought to kill him.

Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, was jealous of Naboth’s vineyard. So, Jezebel had Ahab killed Naboth so they can steal his land.   

Many in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron. As a punishment for being jealous, the earth opened up and swallowed these envious people.

Miriam and Aaron developed leprosy because of their jealousy toward Moses. Thankfully, we are under grace not the law, but being envious and will always cost you something, sometimes even your health.

Adam and Eve died spiritually when they believed the devil’s lie that they could be like God. The devil made them feel like God was withholding something from them.

Today many Christians feel God’s withholding a blessing on them too. Sometime I feel the real root of jealousy is the assumption that God is loves someone else more than He loves you. A person can look at a sibling, friend or even their spouse with envy because they think God has been blessing them but not me It’s easy to feel that way, but that’s a total lie. God’s not robbing me of my blessing to bless another! God’s blessings are limitless. Maybe if I desire something somebody else has, I have to accept it’s just not my season or I’m not ready for it… yet.

Remember that jealousy slows down progress and if it’s not addressed, it may affect your health. If you are constantly feeling jealous about something, whether it be betrayal or just not being enough for someone else, try these following steps to stop.

9 Steps to Cut the Roots of Jealously

1. Remember, God loves me and you enough that He sent His only Son to die for each one of us.
2. Pray for the person who is making you jealous, praying for those that hurt you helps soften your heart toward them.
3. Think how the actual competition is not against others but yourself, the person you were last year, yesterday, or even this morning. “Pay careful attention to your own work,… and you won’t need to compare yourself to someone else.” (Gal 6:4) And remember to say John 21:22 “what is that to me I’m following you, Jesus.”
4. God is no respecter of people. He’s not holding out on your blessings!
5. Thank God For what you already have.
6. Remember the biblical stories in this article and how jealously can lead to death.
7. Ask God to heal your heart and bury the root in what’s causing you to feel jealous.   
8. Follow God’s will in your own life and see God’s blessings pour over you.
9. If you are feeling envious, ask your pastor or see a Christian counselor to help you move forward.

Conclusion

Feeling envy and jealousy can come from a lack of trust in God. These feelings are rooted in insecurity, feeling not enough, self-doubt and fear while they will ultimately result in loss, Jealously is a human emotion but I need to take steps to not pass over into envy and bitterness. When I feel jealous I think about the biblical stories and the bible verses about jealously like,

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”(Eph. 4:26)

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Pro. (14:30)

“For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” Job 5:2

So I decided to be happy for my fb friend, I might not go on vacation but one day I will be going to the ultimate vacation spot…Heaven! I decided I am celebrating other successes and blessings. And I need to trust God has many blesses in store for me. And for you too!

Prayer

Lord, In Jesus’ name I pray that I won’t let the sun set on my anger, my bones won’t be filled with envy and in my heart I will not feel jealous of the someone else’s success. Lord help me bury the root of not enough, insecurity, fear and desire for what others have. Heal my jealous heart Lord, Thank you Lord that I’m grateful for all the blessings you have given me and for your unconditional love. Help me be genuinely happy for what others have. Lord, thank you for all the blessings I have. Fill me with your love and help me to be a blessing to others I love you Lord.

Bible verses about jealousy in above prayer, Eph. 5:26 and Pro. 14:30