8 Biblical Ways The Bible Teaches Us to Overcome Jealousy

I believe we have all been jealous or envied someone at some point in our lives. After all, it’s an emotion that none of us are immune to. Society and social media encourage us to spend so much time comparing ourselves that we develop feelings of inadequacy, which in turn torment us and lead us to make unwise decisions.

Jealousy is an emotion that often leads us to do things we wouldn’t normally do. Mild jealousy can sometimes lead to slander and gossip, and, in more extreme cases, stealing and even murder, among many other negative actions. But, all that aside, comparing ourselves to others and feeling we come up short leads to misery.

What we often forget is that each of us is unique in our own different ways. God wants to help us lose jealousy. He leads us with healing love and has given us scripture, a biblical guide to overcoming envy.

As believers, we must free ourselves from envy and jealousy. In fact, God has commanded us not to covet or envy what does not belong to us.

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.

As believers, it is important to reach a spiritual state of not longing for other people’s lives and belongings. We should be grateful and content with what we already have. In fact, we should use any jealousy we feel as a source of inspiration and set new goals for ourselves to obtain the things we desire, whether tangible or emotional.

CONQUERING JEALOUSY, ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

Here are eight ways Scripture guides us to overcome jealousy.

1. We Should Recognize That Jealousy is a Sign Of Spiritual Immaturity

1 Corinthians 3:3

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

Here, Paul is telling us that jealousy is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Admitting this is the beginning of spiritual growth. We should learn to grow beyond our jealous tendencies.

2. Understand the Destructive Nature of Jealousy

Proverbs 14:30 NIV

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

This verse shows us how jealousy can be physically and emotionally destructive. Finding inner peace and contentment can help avoid the harmful effects of envy.

3. Focus On Your Journey And Avoid Comparison

Galatians 6:4 NIV

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.

We are commanded not to compare ourselves to others. Focusing on our actions and growth will help us find satisfaction in our journey and be content.

4. Love Cancels Jealously

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

God loves us with the best love imaginable. We are each special to Him, and that is why He commanded us to love each other. All the laws sum up to this. Love is incompatible with jealousy. When we love others, we celebrate them. Practicing love helps eliminate envy from our hearts.

If we can get to the place of really embracing His steadfast love as true, we will cease worrying about what others are doing or if they are better off than us.

5. Be Grateful For What You Have

Philippians 4:12-13 NIV

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

When we are grateful, we appreciate what we have. Gratitude sets us up for joy. It is a very powerful tool against jealousy. When we start treasuring what we have, we stop envying what others have.

6. Know You Are Uniquely Formed And Gifted

Romans 12:6 NIV

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith.

Each of us has been blessed with unique gifts and talents. Acknowledging and valuing our different abilities will help avoid feelings of jealousy towards others.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

This is a wonderful verse, isn’t it? In Christ, we are God’s masterpiece! He planned a specific set of things for us to do long ago. You and I have a destiny no one else can carry out. It doesn’t matter if it is grand or humble. God made each of us unique and irreplaceable in His grand plan.

7. Giving To Others Frees You From Envy/Jealousy

2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Out of kind hearts, we give generously to others. I am sure you have experienced this: when you give a gift to someone, and they are delighted, the joy you get is greater for you, and as a result, you don’t think about what you don’t have or who has more than you.

8. Pursue Righteousness and Contentment

1 Timothy 6:6 NIV

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Striving for contentment and righteousness helps find joy and satisfaction. We strive to live as Christ did, which in turn directs us to walk in God’s will. Countless Scriptures tell us this truth.

We don’t need to envy others or watch them jealously, thinking they have more and that they have it better. If you have chosen Christ, or if you make the decision to do so, “all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV).

As a believer, you become “blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing through Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 NIV).

Let us ask God to teach us how to love others in a way that pleases Him. By doing so, we will not gratify our need to envy.