Envy is an emotion often addressed in the Bible, which presents it as an unproductive and harmful feeling. The Bible does not mince words when talking about envy and communicates its points starkly, teaching that it often leads to self-destruction and discord among people. As such, recognizing and managing envy, according to the Bible, is a crucial aspect of spiritual growth and developing stronger relationships.
What the Bible Teaches About Envy
The Bible communicates with clarity about the harmful effects of envy. It asserts that envy is destructive and has the potential to corrode relationships and communities from within. According to the Bible, envy stems from desiring what others own or have accomplished, which can lead to feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction with one’s circumstances. The Bible suggests that instead of fostering envy, individuals should strive to cultivate contentment and appreciate what they have. With this perspective, the Bible emphasizes on celebrating the achievements and successes of others, rather than envy them.
Who Does Envy Affect in the Bible?
Envy affects everyone, irrespective of their role or status, as proclaimed by the Bible. It may seep into the lives of ordinary people, religious leaders, and even kings. The Bible narrates several instances where envy had led to undesirable outcomes, one of them being the story of King Saul and David. Saul’s envy of David’s achievements brought him misery, illustrating that even those in positions of power are not exempt from this debilitating emotion. Thus, the Bible makes it clear that envy affects individuals across all walks of life.
Why the Bible Warns Against Envy
The Bible is quite explicit in its warnings about the dangers of envy. It equates envy with rotting the bones, a metaphor that paints a vivid picture of its destructive nature. Just as rot weakens the structure of a building, envy erodes the foundations of healthy relationships, self-esteem, and personal happiness. The Bible advises against envying wrongdoers, emphasizing that a virtuous life is far more valuable than a prosperous one led unjustly. Ultimately, the warnings against envy presented by the Bible are designed to encourage individuals to foster positive emotions and relationships.
Where the Bible Guides on Overcoming Envy
In its teachings, the Bible provides ample guidance on overcoming envy. It encourages individuals to focus on their own paths and abilities, rather than comparing themselves with others. The Bible urges finding joy in one’s achievements and thanking God for the blessings received. It also promotes the practice of love, kindness, and goodwill towards others, as these are considered antidotes to envy. The Bible underscores the importance of being satisfied with what one has, emphasizing that contentment can help ward off feelings of envy.
When the Bible Speaks about Envy
The Bible addresses envy in both the Old and New Testaments. From the very beginning, in the book of Genesis, envy took root in Cain’s heart leading him to commit the first murder. In the New Testament, it underscores that Christians should lead lives devoid of envy. It stresses that mutual love and respect should replace envy in personal and community relationships. Thus, the harmful effects of envy and the importance of overcoming it are recurrent themes in the Bible’s teachings.
Below is our full list of bible verses on envy (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Envy
Proverbs 14:30
“30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Health Heart Jealousy
Exodus 34:14
“14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”
Related Themes: Worship Envy And Jealousy
Proverbs 23:17
“17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,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.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
Galatians 5:26
“26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Related Themes: Humility Bitterness Selfishness Envy And Jealousy
James 3:16
“16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Selfishness Offense Jealousy Youth
1 Corinthians 13:4
“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
1 Peter 2:1
“1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,”
Related Themes: Bitterness Gossip Lust Persecution Hypocrisy
Proverbs 24:1
“1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy
Titus 3:3
“3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
Related Themes: Lust Indulgence Bitterness Testimony
Mark 7:20-23
“20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Proverbs 27:4
“4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Jealousy Anger
Ecclesiastes 4:4
“4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.”
Related Themes: Vanity Envy And Jealousy Competition Self Respect
Job 5:2
“2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Jealousy Resentment Anger
1 Timothy 6:4
“4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
Romans 1:29
“29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Greed
Proverbs 24:19
“19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy
Proverbs 3:31
“31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.”
Related Themes: Violence Envy And Jealousy
1 Corinthians 3:3
“3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
Related Themes: Arguing Envy And Jealousy Division Strife Jealousy
Mark 15:10
“10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.”
Ezekiel 35:11
“11 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee.”
Galatians 6:4
“4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
Related Themes: Pride Creativity Envy And Jealousy Competition Humility
Psalm 37:7
“7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Exodus 20:17
“17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
Related Themes: Lust Coveting Envy And Jealousy Adultery Greed
Acts 7:9
“9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy
Proverbs 29:11
“11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
Related Themes: Criticism Arguing Frustration Letting Go Emotions
Psalm 73:3
“3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Matthew 27:18
“18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy
Psalm 37:1
“1 A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Enemies Envy And Jealousy Trust Nervousness
2 Corinthians 12:20
“20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Arguing Strife Sin
