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Q&A - How do you deal with jealousy from a biblical perspective?

Hello:

I am enjoying your newsletter so much. Thanks for all the work that goes into it.

Do you have any info on jealousy and especially from a Christian perspective when it becomes dominating in ones life?

Thanks so much

Answer:

Jealousy, or envy, is a work of the flesh and form of covetousness, and is therefore sin and will destroy our walk with God if the behavior becomes habitual:

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The life of a person filled with envy becomes miserable:

Pro 14:30 A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Dealing with someone who is envious of you is extremely difficult, because you really can't call that person on their behavior, for it is hidden in their hearts:

Pro 27:4 Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?

Envy also resulted in the persecutions of Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and the house of Jason in Thessalonica:

Mar 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Act 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

When God blesses us, we may also suffer persecution due to envious people. How do we handle this situation? If we think that person wouldn't be willing to listen to sound instruction or gentle correction, the best thing to do is pray for them and be "longsuffering" toward their jealousy.

If that person would be willing to receive counsel, the best antidote for jealousy is thankfulness for what God HAS done, not what He hasn't done. They should also realize that God may be working in that person's life differently than in others' lives. Humbling ourselves and giving God thanks in all circumstances--even when we see others blessed with what we want--will please God and make us happier, more content people in the process.

We hope this helps!

Ryan and Lisa Bazler

www.psychologydebunked.com