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Jealousy, Envy & Pride: The Sins Nobody Wants to Discuss

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Ugly and demonic are not strong words to describe the sins of jealousy, envy and pride.

Jealousy and envy has it’s root in pride. We read those words and recognize their sinful qualities. We know they’re wrong, but it seems many can easily dismiss them as something fairly minor, as if no more than a little dandruff of the soul. Then we just brush it off and everything’s fine. The more we examine our hearts, the more we should cringe at the ugliness of jealousy and envy. It’s ugly, filthy tentacles wrapped around the hearts and minds of people, not only in the world, but YES in the Church. It’s not something insignificant. It is SIN that can entangle and corrupt the soul like an invisible barbed-wire. And if we do not REPENT of this sin, it can lead to bitter and vile emotions and actions. Jealousy, Envy, Pride, Greed, Covetousness, Rivalry, Hate and Murder.


In Proverbs 6:16-19 it says, “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him, a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” In the New Testament we read Romans 1:29-31 or Galatians 5:19-21 and we should TREMBLE, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like,” (Galatians 5:19-21).


Just stop and see buried within the vile catalogue of twenty-four sins listed above, the supposedly minor and insignificant sins of jealousy and envy, which has its roots in pride. That should be an ALARM that these sins are NOT merely dandruff of the soul.

What are some of the sad examples of jealousy in life? These below would not involve all of them, but here are some to consider. We can become jealous of another person’s:

  1. Possessions, wealth, financial assets (this is what covetousness is).

  2. Recognition, opportunities, privileges, advantages.

  3. Looks, appearance, beauty, health.

  4. Personality, abilities, talents, skills.

  5. Awards, accomplishments, achievements, popularity.

  6. Position, job, status, placement at work, prestige.

  7. Intelligence, knowledge, education.

  8. Spouse, family, friends, relationships.

  9. Anointing and Giftings within the Body of Christ

  10. Ministry being larger than yours and favored by God.


“Envy is the painful and sometimes resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by someone else.” Painful, resentful awareness of someone else’s advantage over us. The same jealousy and envy that the Pharisees had over Jesus because He was walking in a higher realm of doctrine and spiritual authority than they were and the jealousy and envy eventually led Jesus to be crucified on the cross by these demonic Pharisees. In Matthew 27: 17-18 it says, Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.


By now perhaps you are in agreement that envy and jealousy are bad ways for us to respond. But you may still be unconvinced. Are they REALLY that bad? Aren’t they more private sins that fail to rise to the level of even worse attitudes, actions and responses? Can’t they just be brushed off since we are the only ones affected and no one can see into our hearts?

These are NOT private sins, God SEES them operating in you. NO, we cannot and must not brush them under the rug because they will eventually lead to death, spiritually or physically. Jealousy and envy and covetousness are all declared to be sin in the Scriptures. That is reason enough to seriously consider the sinfulness of these related sins. God declares these attitudes of the heart to be sinful. That is all that is needed to condemn the sinfulness of such evil responses.


God also says that such attitudes are demonic. In James 3:14-16 “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” When your heart devises these petty jealousies, you are being demonically influenced in your thinking and acting like a demon!


When you allow such vile attitudes to fester, other sins are given a foothold into your soul. That’s exactly what James 3:16 says: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” Jealousy leads to bitterness, which leads to hate, which leads to rivalries, which leads to violence, which leads to murder. That’s what James 3:16 is implying. And that’s what James 4:1-2 clearly states: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain.” Not a beautiful portrayal of humanity or the Body of Christ. Jealousy is the murderous spirit of envious hate.


It is helpful to understand the meaning of the words used in the Bible for the ugly attitudes being examined in this article. Similar words are used in both Testaments of the Bible.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word used is qana, meaning “zealous” or “jealous” depending on the context. In Genesis 37:11 Joseph’s brothers were “jealous of him” and their jealousy led them to fake his death and sell him into slavery in Egypt. A similar use of qana in the negative is found in Numbers 5:14 (two times) and 5:20 referring to a husband who is jealous of his wife’s behavior. But qana is also used in contexts where zeal and acts of deep devotion are seen in a positive light. Phineas was commended by the Lord for being “zealous for God” (Numbers 25:11, 13). Elijah claimed he was “very zealous for the LORD God” (1 Kings 19:10, 14). And then the word qana is used in a number of passages referring to God’s jealousy for His people, a holy jealousy based on His claim for an exclusive relationship (Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; Joshua 24:19; Ezekiel 39:25; Nahum 1:2). In fact, the reason God gives for the Second Commandment is because “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5). Because Israel followed pagan gods, God was jealous (Deuteronomy 32:16, 21; Zechariah 1:14; 8:2). God calls Himself Jealous, but He is speaking for His divine deity, who He is. And when humanity provokes Him to jealousy with idolatry, be it of the heart or of things in the natural, He becomes zealous in His anger toward us.


In the New Testament there are basically two Greek words used to describe jealousy and envy, both words being used in Galatians 5:20-21. The word translated “jealousy” is the Greek word zēlos, from which we get the English “zeal.” It literally means “heat” or “come to boil.” Figuratively it is used in two ways (like qana in the Old Testament): positively it is a great enthusiasm for a cause, a person or an object, which we normally refer to as zeal; negatively it is the darker side of envy or jealousy. In the New Testament the word zēlos is translated either as “zeal” or “godly jealousy” (John 2:17; Romans 10:2; 1 Corinthians 12:31; 2 Corinthians 7:11) or as “envy” or “jealousy” (Acts 5:17; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4; James 3:14, 16).


Sinful jealousy occurs, however, when we are afraid someone is going to become equal to or even superior to us. The root emotion of jealousy is disgusting pride, which leads to the fear that someone, somewhere has an advantage over us and will overtake our place in life.


The second Greek word used in the New Testament is the word phthonos. Unlike zēlos, this second word is only once used positively (James 4:5 referring to God’s Spirit jealously yearning for us). The word phthonos is translated most often by the word “envy.” Pilate knew the Jews handed Jesus over to him for trial out of “envy” (Mark 15:10). In Galatians 5:21 phthonos is listed in that catalogue of sins and translated “envy” and then the verb form in 5:26 is translated as “envying.” In Titus 3:3 it is used as a description of our past lives outside of Christ: “we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and phthonos.” The idea behind the word is a sense of rivalry due to ill-will and spite. But in actuality, the words zēlos and phthonos are very close synonyms easily used together as in Galatians 5:20-21.


Together jealousy and envy germinate in the soil of pride. They lead to an unhealthy competitiveness that demands and aggressively seeks to be number one in every circumstance. Rivalry is another way of describing this twisted attitude which always needs to be the center of attention, always on top, always in charge, always the best. It can never take the back seat nor will it ever leave center stage. Not being recognized and not being in control is something to be avoided at all costs. Envy, jealousy and rivalry see everyone as a competitor, everyone as a threat, and every question as a challenge to my authority. We see these attitudes all too often in our churches, not only with members of the Church, but with leadership as well.


What can we do about these sins we refuse discuss? Is there any hope for people who allow themselves to be enslaved by demons with these sins? Yes, there is hope. First, we need to understand the truth about ourselves. Our supposed secret attitudes of envy and jealousy are open scandals before our holy God. If you have never done so, you need to admit your sin and turn to the Lord in repentant faith, trusting in Jesus Christ alone as your Savior. If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will experience the washing of regeneration and the forgiveness of sins. The Holy Spirit will cleanse your soul and indwell you and you will for the first time be able to live the life God commands you to live.


If you are already truly born again of God’s Spirit, you still MUST REPENT, then by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit PRAY that you may grow in grace to resist these evil demons of pride, jealousy and envy! With each episode of sinful jealousy, envy and pride, you will have the option of confessing that sinful attitude and seeking to become more like Christ and less like demons, (James 3:16).


The true Christian is able to deal honestly with himself or herself. He or she can truthfully admit that nobody can do everything. So when someone is better than you at something, you can admit this is not a surprise, our God made us all different. And if they are better at something that is REALLY important to you, then you should gulp hard and carefully admit God created you as you are (Psalm 139:14-16; John 3:27); God gave you a certain family and set of experiences and giftedness and you choose to accept His calling for you (Psalm 75:6-7; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:7) AND you choose to accept His calling for that other person; and you can humbly affirm your strengths and equally admit your weaknesses. And you finally admit that it is a sin to compare yourself to others, so you choose by the grace and power of God to stop with the uncontrolled resentment and insecurities and fears. Also, whenever you see God using someone in a mighty way and blessing the work of their hands and ministry, instead of allowing those demons to attack you with jealousy and envy, cast down those imaginations and bring every evil thought to the obedience of the Christ. You may also, with a humble heart, come along side that person to find out why is God using them and blessing them so mightily and DO THAT, so God can bless you as well. Allow the blood of Jesus to speak for you!


Jealousy, envy, and pride are not merely dandruff of the soul. They are ugly, foul sins that target your mind, your soul and your purpose in life. You must guard against them with a serious and determined vigilance. And you must sincerely repent of them when they enter into your attitudes and threaten to pollute your soul. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

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