Jealousy, Envy, Covetousness

We count it a blessing and a privilege that you come to hearthenspeak to read what the Lord laid on my heart to share with you. The Word of God is Life! I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal how much God loves you through revealing His Word to you. Also, I pray that you will discover how much He has provided to enable you to do His will, be obedient and grow in intimacy with Himself. Eric

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we became a new creation. Prior to our accepting Christ, we were spiritually dead and eternally separated from God by sin. Christ died for us so that we could be forgiven from our sins, in right relationship with and reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reveals. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." We read in verses 14 and 15 of the same Chapter, "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." As sinners, we have a self-centered nature - a sin nature that tries to control us still. We were totally consumed with selfish ambitions.

As a follower of Christ, we are to become spiritually mature. Our life is to be led by the Holy Spirit with His fruit (love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) being evident in our lives.

How many of you know however, that accepting Christ does not instantaneously make us perfect? Our goal as a born again believer is to grow and mature spiritually by being transformed into His image through His Word, by His Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Part of that growing process involves us recognizing those worldly and fleshly actions and behaviors of our old sin nature that we allow to hold sway over us.

In our lesson today, we will be addressing some of those old sin nature behaviors that should no longer be evident in our lives. Galatians 5:16 reads "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

The focus of our study today is jealousy, envy and covetousness. which are attributes of our sin nature. The first example we see the harmful affects of jealousy in the Scripture occurred when Cain killed his brother, Abel. Then, because of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery.

What are some common causes of jealousy, envy and covetousness in our world today? Possibly a friend makes more money than we do or is driving the car we want but can’t afford. We see someone living in a larger and better house than ours. Perhaps someone in the church choir sings better than we do and always gets the solo parts. How about that co-worker who gets the promotion we wanted and felt we deserved? Do you have a sibling who got all the good genes, who gets more attention and love? What about the friend or acquaintance who has an unlimited clothing budget or who is constantly going on trips? Ah yes, we see there could be many opportunities for us to fall into the old sinful patterns of jealousy, envy or covetousness.

Let’s see what the Word of God reveals to us. 1 Corinthians 3:1 (NIV), "Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly--mere infants in Christ." Then, verse 3 (NLT) reads, "for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren't you living like people of the world?"

We find three words in the Scriptures which when looking at the Greek and Hebrew meanings basically have the same definition as jealous or jealousy. "Jealousy' zelos comes from a root word meaning: hot enough to boil, indignation, burning emotion, fervent strife or dissension which comes from eris and meaning: contention, discord, quarrel and dispute.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines jealousy as "a feeling of unhappiness and anger because someone has something or someone that you want." Envy has much the same meaning. "A dissatisfied heart is the root of envy and it rises when we can't have what our hearts desire." (GotQuestions.org). 'Covet' in the Greek means "to bubble over because so hot (boiling)", (HELPS Word-studies). It also means "desire, move with envy, and be jealous (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). I read an anonymous quote stating, "Jealousy is an emotional response to what others have while covetousness refers to the desire to take what belongs to someone else." "Jealousy and envy dishonors our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though He has a beautiful plan for each and everyone of His children, jealousy says, "I deserve more than You've provided, and therefore I don't trust that You truly give me Your best." (Charles Spurgeon).

James 4:2 (NASB) reveals the seriousness of jealousy, envy and coveting, "You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask." Jealousy comes from our carnal sin nature and is manifest when our minds are set on what the flesh desires. "If you have jealousy and envy in your life - you're focusing on what God is doing in another person's life rather than your own." (Charles Spurgeon).

As a believer, our behavior should reflect, present or identity in Christ. We have been given a call to holiness and a separation from worldly influences. Ephesians 4:1 instructs us to live in a manner worthy of our calling.

There is constantly a battle between our old self and our new creation in Christ. If we are going to 'live according to the Spirit' - we must be guided by the Holy Spirit, seek to align our life to God's will and 'set our minds' on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5). To 'set' our minds' on the things of the Spirit we must make a conscious decision to focus on spiritual matters, such as prayer, worship and the Word of God.

As a believer in Christ, we need to recognize and understand what the results of following our old, fleshly, worldly, sinful nature are. Galatians 5:19 reveals that truth to us: "sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, jealousy, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness and wild parties." Be aware of this also, those who live this lifestyle will not inherit the kingdom of God. Help us Lord!

Jealousy is not a positive influence and only causes us emotional pain and misery. According to Proverbs 27:4 (BSB), "Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand (endure) jealousy (rivalry and envy)." Unchecked emotions or jealousy surpasses even flooding anger in destructive potential.

Proverbs 14:30 (NASB) reveals, "A tranquil heart is life to the body but jealousy is rottenness to the bones." 'Rottenness' means: decay, to rot or decompose. Unchecked jealousy can be destructive. Please take note: the one who is destroyed is the one who continues on in harboring jealousy. You see, our internal attitudes and not merely external acts determine either spiritual health or corruption.

James 3:14 and 15 (BSB), speaks very clearly about the roots of 'bitter jealousy' and 'selfish ambition.' Verse 14 instructs, "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy, selfish ambition, strife or rivalry exists there will be disorder and every evil practice." "Selfish ambition places self-interest ahead of what the Lord declares right, or what is good for others." (HELPS Word-studies).

"Our human wisdom is futility as apposed to God's truth. Our mind is a battleground, we must be vigilant to align our thoughts with God's will." (Bible Hub Study Bible).

We all need to occasionally seek God to allow Him to reveal to us the things in our lives which are not pleasing to Him. Psalm 139:23 and 24 (NLT), "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

So, how do we deal with jealousy, envy, and covetousness?" We must learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of every part of our life and in that process...we must relinquish our control.

We must give opportunity for the Word of God to renew our mind so we are able to discern what is good, acceptable and the perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2). Renewing our mind is a continuous process of spiritual growth and understanding which we gain by immersing ourselves in the Word of God, praying without ceasing and by listening to and responding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Also, we must choose to not love the world or anything in it. If we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us. (1 John 2:15-17).

What are the ways we deal with jealousy, envy and covetousness? We are to demolish arguments and every lofty opinion set up against the knowledge of God. Each one of us must, personally, take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5). Philippians 4:8 instructs us to focus on what is good, true, honorable, right, lovely and admirable. We are to choose to walk in, live in and follow the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. Hebrews 13:5 instructs us to keep ourselves free from the love of money and to be content with what we have.

As we study and know the Word of God, our lives will become increasingly aligned with His will and way. We are instructed in Philippians 2:3 and 4 to do nothing out of selfish ambition, empty pride or self-conceit - and to have the opinion that others are more important than ourselves.

You see, the Word of God teaches us everything we need to know regarding living our lives in a way that will please God. As we know Him and His Word better, we will be able to mature spiritually and develop a Christ-like character. We will be able to be conformed to His image.

It is inward vices and heart attitudes that defile a person. "Out of a person's heart come evil thoughts, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these things come from within." (Mark 7:20-23 NLT).

Let our prayer be:

"Create in me a pure heart; O God, and renew a steadfast (right) spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10). "We will choose, Dear Lord, to not allow sin (our old sin nature) to run roughshod over us and interfere with our relationship with You. Help us Lord, to be as Jesus was while He was here on earth... He did always those things that pleased you. (John 8:29). Lord, help us choose to be devoted to one another. Help us to outdo ourselves in honoring, valuing and esteeming the value of one another. (Romans 12:10). Father, let none of us seek our own good, but the good of our neighbor. We desire to grow more spiritually mature, so that we will be conformed more to your image every day. That is the only way we will be able to choose to please you in the things we do. Help us to be satisfied and grateful for Your provision. Thank You for Your Word and for loving us so well." Amen.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6).

We believe!

Unless noted otherwise, Scriptures were taken from the English Standard Version.

NIV New International Version

NASB New American Standard Bible

BSB Berean Standard Bible

NLT New Living Translation