What does the Bible say about envy and jealousy?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible warns that envy and sinful jealousy flow from the fallen heart, breed disorder and conflict, and must be put to death through faith in Christ and love for others. James 3:14-16 contrasts bitter jealousy with the pure, peaceable wisdom from above, while Proverbs 14:30 shows that envy corrodes the inner life. James 4:2-3 exposes how selfish desires fuel quarrels and distorted prayers. Such attitudes belong to the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 and reveal spiritual immaturity in 1 Corinthians 3:3. Yet believers are not left helpless: God provides a way to endure temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), calling us to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- James 3:16 7 votes
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
- Proverbs 14:30 6 votes
The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.
- James 4:2-3 5 votes
You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask. You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
- James 3:14 5 votes
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
- Proverbs 27:4 4 votes
Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 4 votes
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- Galatians 5:19-21 4 votes
Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
- James 3:14-15 3 votes
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 3 votes
for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?
- Romans 12:21 3 votes
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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