Jealousy and envy

            I want to do this to warn people, and I include myself there when I say that to stay far away from jealousy and envy, for they are so destructive and evil. It can be easier said than done for our flesh is so pushy and demanding and jealousy/envy is one of the many works of the flesh, as you will see later on in this. To start out, I will show several bible stories of how bad jealousy and envy can be when allowed to do their evil work in people.

            I really believe jealousy and envy were two of the main motivations for the first murder ever, specifically Cain’s killing of Abel. Abel’s animal sacrifice was accepted by God, while Cain’s vegetable sacrifice was not accepted by God, as it is thought by commentaries like Gill’s it may have been just leftovers and second rate items and not the best of Cain’s crops, which is what God deserves, and also possibly even offered with wrongful ,selfish, or prideful motives but here is the story in Genesis:

(Genesis 4:1)  Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD."

(Genesis 4:2)  And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.

(Genesis 4:3)  In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,

(Genesis 4:4)  and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,

(Genesis 4:5)  but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

(Genesis 4:6)  The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?

(Genesis 4:7)  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."

(Genesis 4:8)  Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

(Genesis 4:9)  Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"

(Genesis 4:10)  And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.

(Genesis 4:11)  And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

(Genesis 4:12)  When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth."

(Genesis 4:13)  Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.

(Genesis 4:14)  Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

(Genesis 4:15)  Then the LORD said to him, "Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

(Genesis 4:16)  Then Cain
went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Jacob had to flee away from a very angry and no doubt envious and jealous Esau after Jacob stole Esau’s blessing by deception and also collusion from their mother, had Jacob not fled away from the house he could very easily have been murdered by his brother, Esau, who had set his heart to kill Jacob at that time:

(Genesis 27:34)  As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, O my father!"

(Genesis 27:35)  But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing."

(Genesis 27:36)  Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"

(Genesis 27:37)  Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?"

(Genesis 27:38)  Esau said to his father, "Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father." And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

(Genesis 27:39)  Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: "Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven on high.

(Genesis 27:40)  By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; but when you grow restless you shall break his yoke from your neck."

(Genesis 27:41)  Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

(Genesis 27:42)  But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, "Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you.

(Genesis 27:43)  Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran

(Genesis 27:44)  and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away--

(Genesis 27:45)  until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day?"

Jacob’s favored son Joseph would be a victim of a lot envy and jealousy from his brothers because his father Jacob was very partial to him, blessing him, and giving him a coat of many colors and as a result of this envy Joseph would end up being sold into slavery by his jealous brethren to be rid of him:

(Genesis 37:2)  These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.

(Genesis 37:3)  Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.

(Genesis 37:4)  But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

(Genesis 37:5)  Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.

(Genesis 37:6)  He said to them, "Hear this dream that I have dreamed:

(Genesis 37:7)  Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf."

(Genesis 37:8)  His brothers said to him, "Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

(Genesis 37:9)  Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

(Genesis 37:10)  But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?"

(Genesis 37:11)  And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

(Genesis 37:12)  Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem.

(Genesis 37:13)  And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." And he said to him, "Here I am."

(Genesis 37:14)  So he said to him, "Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word." So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

(Genesis 37:15)  And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, "What are you seeking?"

(Genesis 37:16)  "I am seeking my brothers," he said. "Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock."

(Genesis 37:17)  And the man said, "They have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

(Genesis 37:18)  They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.

(Genesis 37:19)  They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer.

(Genesis 37:20)  Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams."

(Genesis 37:21)  But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, "Let us not take his life."

(Genesis 37:22)  And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him"--that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father.

(Genesis 37:23)  So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.

(Genesis 37:24)  And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

(Genesis 37:25)  Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.

(Genesis 37:26)  Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?

(Genesis 37:27)  Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened to him.

(Genesis 37:28)  Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

They did initially plot to kill him but at the one brother’s urging to not kill Joseph then sold him off as a slave, and then Joseph was taken to Egypt by those who bought him as a slave from his brothers. . In the end it did work out well for everyone as the remaining Israelites would eventually join them in Egypt and but were saved from famine because of the fact that Joseph came, and God’s purposes would be done in eventually making Israel into a huge nation, but slavery at first and then eventually jail for 12 or 13 years of one’s life is no fun especially when you are the victim of your brother’s envy and malice even if God is with you, blessing you no matter what you do which helps a lot. To Joseph’s credit he did forgive his brothers for what happened, stating it was God’s plan.

Saul became extremely jealous of David after all of David’s successful exploits and everything, also because the Lord was with David, and no longer with Saul. He tried to kill David here, but God saved David from that:

(1 Samuel 18:1)  As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

(1 Samuel 18:2)  And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house.

(1 Samuel 18:3)  Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

(1 Samuel 18:4)  And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

(1 Samuel 18:5)  And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

(1 Samuel 18:6)  As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.

(1 Samuel 18:7)  And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."

(1 Samuel 18:8)  And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?"

(1 Samuel 18:9)  And Saul eyed David from that day on.

(1 Samuel 18:10)  The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand.

(1 Samuel 18:11)  And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.

(1 Samuel 18:12)  Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

(1 Samuel 18:13)  So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people.

(1 Samuel 18:14)  And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him.

(1 Samuel 18:15)  And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.

(1 Samuel 18:16)  But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

(1 Samuel 18:17)  Then Saul said to David, "Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him."

(1 Samuel 18:18)  And David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?"

(1 Samuel 18:19)  But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.

(1 Samuel 18:20)  Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

(1 Samuel 18:21)  Saul thought, "Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." Therefore Saul said to David a second time, "You shall now be my son-in-law."

(1 Samuel 18:22)  And Saul commanded his servants, "Speak to David in private and say, 'Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king's son-in-law.'"

(1 Samuel 18:23)  And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, "Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?"

(1 Samuel 18:24)  And the servants of Saul told him, "Thus and so did David speak."

(1 Samuel 18:25)  Then Saul said, "Thus shall you say to David, 'The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king's enemies.'" Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

(1 Samuel 18:26)  And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. Before the time had expired,

(1 Samuel 18:27)  David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife.

(1 Samuel 18:28)  But when Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him,

(1 Samuel 18:29)  Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually.

(1 Samuel 18:30)  Then the princes of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

Saul  would then c try again and again to kill David during the remaining time of Saul’s reign as king of Israel but the Lord would continually protect David,  and also Saul was possessed by an evil spirit which in no doubt increased and aggravated the envy and jealousy that was shown towards David by Saul. Because of the Lord protecting Him, all of Saul’s plans to kill David were unsuccessful.

Envy and jealousy on the part of the high priests was a motivation in the deliverance of Jesus’ deliverance to be tried and then eventually crucified, and here are the accounts in Matthew and Mark to support that:

(Matthew 27:17)  So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

(Matthew 27:18)  For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

(Matthew 27:19)  Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream."

(Matthew 27:20)  Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

(Matthew 27:21)  The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."

(Mark 15:9)  And he answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?"

(Mark 15:10)  For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.

(Mark 15:11)  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.

(Mark 15:12)  And Pilate again said to them, "Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?"

(Mark 15:13)  And they cried out again, "Crucify him."

The high priests were also jealous of the apostles too, due to all the healings and miracles being done, and the people all flocking to Christianity:

(Acts 5:17)  But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy

(Acts 5:18)  they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

This jealousy of the apostles and discipleseven led the priests to stir up persecution of the apostles among the populace:

(Acts 13:44)  The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

(Acts 13:45)  But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.

(Acts 13:46)  And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

(Acts 13:47)  For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

(Acts 13:48)  And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

(Acts 13:49)  And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

(Acts 13:50)  But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.

(Acts 13:51)  But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.

(Acts 13:52)  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

In this passage as well, the jealousy of the Jews led to persecution of the disciples and apostles:

(Acts 17:2)  And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

(Acts 17:3)  explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."

(Acts 17:4)  And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

(Acts 17:5)  But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

Some of the Jews were a real thorn in the side of the early Christian church acting many out of jealousy and envied the success of the church. However as stated in this passage in the book of Romans God did set up the jealousy and even hardness in the Jews so actually some of them- the Jews- might be saved:

(Romans 11:11)  So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

(Romans 11:12)  Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

(Romans 11:13)  Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

(Romans 11:14)  in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.

You can see from all of the above examples in scripture how destructive jealousy and envy can be. Now I go to some teachings that speak out against it, but also give some exhortation, as well to help people realize their error and repent of anything they need to on this subject.

First up are the first seven verses in Psalm 37 which not only gives the bad fate of the jealous but also tells us to trust in the Lord:

(Psalm 37:1)  Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

(Psalm 37:2)  For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.

(Psalm 37:3)  Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

(Psalm 37:4)  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

(Psalm 37:5)  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

(Psalm 37:6)  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

(Psalm 37:7)  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Here is a good proverb on the subject:

(Proverbs 14:30)  A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Here are some words of encouragement in Proverbs 23

(Proverbs 23:17)  Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.

(Proverbs 23:18)  Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

The following proverbs strengthen and reinforce the message given in Psalm 37’s first two verses, above:

(Pro 24:19)  Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,

(Pro 24:20)  for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Here is a verse in Ecclesiastes on the subject:

(Ecclesiastes 9:6)  Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.

Jesus Himself refers to envy/jealousy as an evil that comes out of a person to defile him:

(Mark 7:20)  And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

(Mark 7:21)  For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

(Mark 7:22)  coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

(Mark 7:23)  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Also here in Romans 1 envy spoken of:

(Romans 1:26)  For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;

(Romans 1:27)  and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

(Romans 1:28)  And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

(Romans 1:29)  They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

(Romans 1:30)  slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

(Romans 1:31)  foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

(Romans 1:32)  Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Here is some good advice in Romans 13 for we need Jesus to help us be free of anything, including any jealousy and envy. Only He can cleanse us in His  mercy.

(Romans 13:12)  The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

(Romans 13:13)  Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

(Romans 13:14)  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Note with what Paul says in Corinthians that jealousy is following the flesh

(1 Corinthians 3:1)  But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

(1 Corinthians 3:2)  I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,

(1 Corinthians 3:3)  for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Here is a warning in 1 Timothy on avoiding things which produce envy

(1 Timothy 6:3)  If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,

(1 Timothy 6:4)  he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

(1 Timothy 6:5)  and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Here is a powerful word in Galatians about the works of the flesh which include jealousy and envy:

(Galatians 5:16)  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

(Galatians 5:17)  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

(Galatians 5:18)  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

(Galatians 5:19)  Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

(Galatians 5:20)  idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

(Galatians 5:21)  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

(Galatians 5:22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

(Galatians 5:23)  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(Galatians 5:24)  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

(Galatians 5:25)  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:26)  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Here is some good advice in the book of Titus reminding us how He saves us by His grace not our efforts:

(Titus 3:3)  For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

(Titus 3:4)  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

(Titus 3:5)  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

(Titus 3:6)  whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

(Titus 3:7)  so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Here are some strong words of advice and from the book of James:

(James 3:10)  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

(James 3:11)  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

(James 3:12)  Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

(James 3:13)  Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

(James 3:14)  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

(James 3:15)  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

(James 3:16)  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

(James 3:17)  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

(James 3:18)  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Please then take what Peter says to heart:

(1 Peter 2:1)  So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

(1 Peter 2:2)  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation--

(1 Peter 2:3)  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Now I will give a few scriptures to be of help to do what is advised first in James 5, that it is wise to seek prayer help with others:

(James 5:16)  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

This scripture in Matthew 18, spoken by Jesus Himself shows how two or three people together can get a prayer going, and an effective one, to free someone from jealousy/envy:

(Matthew 18:18)  Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

(Matthew 18:19)  Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

(Matthew 18:20)  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

Finally then the verses in John that reminds us the truth and the Son, Jesus, can set us free from all chains, including those of envy and/or jealousy:

(John 8:31)  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

(John 8:32)  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

(John 8:33)  They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"

(John 8:34)  Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

(John 8:35)  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.

(John 8:36)  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Just like it says above, Jesus can set you free of anything if you just believe. I am including prayer to help you overcome this obstacle now, so please do feel free to pray this prayer with me  to help you overcome all jealousy and envy in you

Father, Your word describes jealousy as more than cruelty and overwhelming fury. Father remove from me any of the components of jealousy, or the covetousness, hatred, fear and insecurity that fuel it ! I renounce, repent of and rebuke in Jesus’ Name all jealousy and fear and insecurity and pray You will uncover any of the root causes in my past that would keep me walking in unholy Jealousy towards others. I want to be holy as YOU are holy Father. Remove from my heart all cruelty and any murderous attitudes that accompany jealousy. Jealousy is unyielding it says Lord, but I want to be completely yielded to YOU and nothing or nobody else ! Please give me the GRACE to surrender completely my whole life to you ! Help me to surrender my time, my thoughts, my will, my heart to Your ways and Your will ! Bind My mind to your mind, and my will to Your will in Jesus' name ! Oh Lord forgive me for the times I have been jealous of others. Forgive me for trying to obtain what others have, for selfish ambition and trying to make myself prominent out of my own insecurity and need for attention. Help me to submit to YOUR WILL completely in all areas of my life and change my HEART Lord to reflect Your heart ! Father, Please give me the GRACE to overcome any immoral fleshly activity in my life that would fuel dissension and jealousy. Remove any pride that would cause me to think myself more deserving or better than others. Help me to "Put on" the Lord Jesus by coming into Your presence daily and worshipping You, and communicating with You in prayer and studying Your word, that My mind would be renewed. In Jesus mighty Name I ask and pray all these things, Amen

Jesus loves you more than you can know and imagine, and wants to set you free of things like jealousy, envy or any other sin that may beset you. He also wants a relationship with you too, for He did die on the cross for all sins. He is waiting knocking at the door of your heart for you to let Him in so He can cleanse you and transform you into what He had intended for you. I am including a prayer now so you can come to Jesus for the first time, or to return to Him if need be if separated. Please pray this prayer with me:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

God bless you and yours