A look at jealousy and envy in the Bible and how Christians today can overcome them.
Sometimes it lurks beneath the surface occasionally rearing its head with a snide remark. Then it retreats with the words, “Oh I’m just playing.”
At other times, it’s that disappointing and resentful feeling welling up inside. It usually happens when you see someone getting something (seemingly) so easily when you have given your best and it still wasn’t good enough.
It’s the feeling of fighting back tears for the offender and the sting of betrayal for the afflicted.
Given the title, you can already guess what emotion I’m referring to. It’s envy and jealousy.
To be human means that you will more than likely experience all of the negative emotions this world has to offer. No Christian, but Jesus himself has walked this Earth without blemish.
So let’s state upfront that this article is not meant to be judgmental, but as always, it’s meant to be an aid as you walk your journey with Christ.
Whether you’ve been the target of someone’s envious or jealous feelings or you’ve been the jealous person yourself, God understands. But, He doesn’t want you to stay there. He loves you too much.
So in this article, we will:
- Explore the definition of envy and jealousy from a biblical perspective.
- Look at some examples of jealousy and envy in the bible
- Discuss ways you can overcome envy and jealousy and live a life of contentment
The Definition of Envy and Jealousy In The Bible
In order to fight a negative emotion, we must first understand it.
You know when I first started writing this article, I was using the words envy and jealousy interchangeably. I read my intro to my husband and he asked, “Are you referring to envy or jealousy?” In a confused state, I’m like “Aren’t they the same?”
They are not. Lol.
Given that these emotions have existed since the beginning of time, the biblical meanings of envy and jealousy are just as we define them today.
According to dictionary.com, the definition of envy is as follows,
“Envy is a negative feeling of desire centered on someone who has something that you do not.”
On the other hand, jealousy is defined as:
“a feeling of resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward someone who has something that you don’t.”
I know they sound like the same thing. The key here is that envy has to do with someone lacking and desiring something that someone else has. The focus is the “thing” whether that be a quality or an achievement.
However, jealousy involves a third party. It’s when the person feels that what they already have is being threatened. It’s commonly seen in areas of romance.
In order to fully understand these emotions, let’s look at some examples from the Bible.
Examples of envy in the Bible
The Bible is full of flawed people whom God used for His glory and as an example to you and me. So of course there was some biblical envy and jealousy.
As stated above, these emotions have literally been around since the beginning of time. This brings us to the first example of envy in the Bible.
Satan’s Envy of God
Also known as the father of lies, Satan was the first sinner. It all started when he became envious of God leading to his rebellion.
As we know from Ezekiel 28, Satan once held a high position in heaven. He was also one of God’s masterpieces, a work of beauty. However, Satan had other ambitions. He didn’t want to serve God, he wanted to be God.
Isaiah 14:12-14 (ESV),
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
And like the serpent that he is, when Adam and Eve fell, this emotion seeped into the Earth. Take a look at the other examples to see the beginning of its effects.
Sarah’s Envy of Hagar
Sarah was a woman struggling with infertility. Although God had promised a child, Sarah grew impatient.
In desperation, she gave her female servant, Hagar, to her husband so that she might have a child through her. And as you can imagine, this proved to be a mistake.
In this example, there’s a bit of envy and jealousy. Envy comes into play for Sarah as she’s looking at a woman who can give her husband a child when she cannot.
In addition, back in biblical times, Sarah’s inability to have a child would’ve brought her a great deal of shame. This also threatened her position in her family.
Bearing Abraham’s child elevated Hagar’s social status as she went from slave to concubine. This brought her honor. And thus, this likely caused Sarah to feel threatened.
Hagar and her son, Ishmael, were later sent away.
The Envy of Joseph’s Brothers
In Genesis 37 we see the animosity of the sons of Israel.
Genesis 37:3 states:
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”
Not only this, but Joseph was also the son of Rachel, Jacob’s second wife. He worked 7 years for the right to marry her only to be deceived into marrying her sister, Leah. His love for Rachel led him to work another 7 years to make her his wife.
The other sons were the sons of Leah and Jacob’s concubines. This could have contributed to Jacob’s feelings towards the son of Rachel as well.
Regardless, this led to envy creeping in due to the lack of love and respect of a father.
Joseph’s brothers ended up selling him into slavery (as opposed to their first plan which was to kill him) and lying to their father about it.
Examples of Jealousy in the Bible
So just like her cousin envy, there are also stories about jealousy in the bible.
Cain’s Jealousy of Abel
You can find their story in Genesis 4.
Cain was the first-born son of Adam and Eve and worked as a farmer. Abel was the second-born son whose occupation was a shepherd.
One day, Cain brings “some of his crops” as an offering to God. Abel followed his older brother and brought “the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock” as a gift to God.
God accepted Abel’s gift but didn’t accept Cain’s. Cain became angry. His anger led to the death of Abel, marking Cain as the first murderer of the Bible.
Saul’s Jealousy of David
Saul and David.
Both men were chosen by God to be king. Yet, only one’s house and kingdom would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:16). As for the other, his disobedience, ambition, and lack of repentance would lead to God taking it all.
In reading 1 Samuel, we learn that Saul was a people pleaser. He cared more about what the people thought of Him letting it override his obedience to God.
In addition, he liked taking the credit. Although God was fighting his battles, he liked the praises of the people even setting up a monument for himself after disobeying God.
Saul was fond of David…at first.
Things changed after David defeated Goliath. The Bible tells us Saul kept David around and assigned him tasks that David always completed successfully. This led to David becoming commander of the men of war.
His God-given success led to the favor of Saul’s son, Saul’s army, and the people of Israel.
The Israelite army saw victory after victory under David’s command. 1 Samuel 18:6 states the women sang about Saul killing thousands and David ten thousands. Given what we know about Saul, this made him angry and jealous of David.
1 Samuel 18:8 reveals Saul’s response,
“Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
The Jealousy of Rachel and Leah
Above we looked at the envy of Joseph’s brothers. This likely stemmed directly from the rival of their parents, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel.
Two sisters married to the same man. Leah was the wife Jacob had been deceived into marrying. Thus, she never felt loved nor seen as opposed to her sister whom Jacob loved.
Although Rachel had the love of Jacob, she struggled with infertility. Yet, Leah was bearing Jacob son after son.
Soon both women would be giving their female servants to Jacob to bear children for them.
Doesn’t this sound like a biblical soap opera? Jealousy, envy as well as a few other things like comparison, shame, and insecurity drove it all.
A Biblical Approach to Overcoming Envy and Jealousy
After exploring examples of envy and jealousy in the Bible, the next question is, “How can we avoid making the same mistakes that they did.”
My answer is the same answer I give to people for every problem….Jesus.
We are flawed human beings. I’ve learned in my Christian walk that it’s foolish to think that I can change myself. If we could, then we wouldn’t need Jesus. So here are four simple things that you can do to overcome these feelings.
- Prayer: Prayer is our most powerful weapon and you will see it as a solution in many of my articles. It’s direct communication with God and when we cry out, our Father is faithful. He will hear us. Tell him about your feelings and ask Him to help you. Remember, He is not a God of guilt and shame. Jesus took that away with his sacrifice on the cross. He is ready and willing to help you.
2. Develop a heart of gratitude: Envy happens when we are focused on what we don’t have instead of what we do. Start thanking God for your portion in this life. Start with health, food, water, the ability to walk, the gift of vision, etc. Believe me, people realize how much of a gift these are when they lose them. I’ve learned that a heart of gratitude is great medicine for a bad day and a bitter mood.
3. Trust that what God has for you is yours: With the emotion of jealousy, people feel threatened and have a fear of losing something or someone. What God gives, no man can take away. Trust His plans for your life. I promise they are better than anything you could imagine.
4. Spend Time with God: Birds of a feather flock together. When you are surrounded by Him, it strengthens your foundation…your faith. Faith allows you to keep going, to keep pressing expecting God to either do what He put in your heart or something even greater.
If you struggle with spending time with God, check out my article on simple ways to ensure your quality time with the lord every day.
5. Understand and find comfort in your season with God: Just because someone else is in their Harvest season while you’re in the spiritual season of winter doesn’t mean that God has forgotten you. He’s preparing you. If you arrive at the harvest too early you won’t be able to sustain it and God knows this.
Just like physical seasons, each spiritual season is dependent on the other. You cannot have a fall harvest without a winter and spring. I highly encourage you to check out my article on seasons with God. Because once you understand your season with God, you can thrive in every one of them.
Prayer against Jealousy and Envy
Dear Father,
I confess that envy and/or jealousy have entered my heart. I know that these are not emotions that you wish to see in your child.
So, here I am asking for your help. I ask you to help me overcome these emotions. I ask you to help me trust that you are good and that you are working all things out for my good.
I thank you for your protection and provision. I thank you for my portion. I cast out anything in me that is not like you. I invite you to be the Lord of my heart.
In Jesus’s name. Amen
Final thoughts on jealousy and envy in the Bible.
Emotions will come, but that doesn’t mean we have to keep company with them. It also doesn’t mean we let them destroy our relationships, peace, and happiness.
So when envy or jealousy comes for you, you now have tools to stop it in its tracks no matter what side of the coin you’re on, the envious or the envied.
May your inheritance of peace and God’s grace rest heavily upon you. Until next time.
-Dr. Jay
