Jealousy can quietly ruin a good friendship, leaving behind hurt and mistrust. Today, we’ll explore how the Bible teaches us to handle jealousy in our relationships and grow in love and understanding.
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What Does The Bible Say About Jealousy In Friendships
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
This verse emphasizes the destructive nature of jealousy. Jealousy not only hinders our personal well-being but also affects our physical health. It is important to cultivate a heart of peace and contentment to avoid the harmful consequences of envy.
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?”
In this verse, Paul admonishes the Corinthians for allowing jealousy and strife to divide them. He challenges them to rise above their worldly behavior and embrace the love and unity that Christ offers. Jealousy in friendships can reveal our own worldly desires and remind us to seek God’s perspective in our relationships.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This passage highlights jealousy as one of the negative behaviors that stem from the flesh. It serves as a reminder of the importance of living in the Spirit, forsaking jealousy and pursuing righteousness instead. Friends should encourage one another to live a life guided by the Holy Spirit, free from jealousy and its destructive consequences.
Proverbs 27:4
“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”
This verse highlights the power and intensity of jealousy. It suggests that jealousy can be even more destructive than anger or fury, as it can lead to irrational and harmful actions. It is a reminder to guard our hearts against jealousy and seek healthy ways to address any feelings of envy that may arise in friendships.
James 3:14-16
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
James cautions against allowing jealousy and selfish ambition to take root in our hearts. He reveals that such behavior is not of God but rather driven by earthly desires and demonic influence. Jealousy in friendships can lead to disorder and various harmful practices, reminding us of the importance of cultivating love, humility, and contentment in our relationships.
Proverbs 23:17-18
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
This verse encourages us not to be envious of those who follow sinful ways. Instead, we are called to be zealous in our reverence for the Lord. By focusing on God and His promises, we can find hope and contentment, eliminating the need for jealousy in our friendships and relationships.
1 Peter 2:1-2
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
Peter encourages believers to rid themselves of envy and other negative attitudes. Instead, they are to crave spiritual nourishment and growth in their salvation. When jealousy arises in friendships, it is an opportunity to reject malice and embrace spiritual maturity, focusing on the pure and life-giving aspects of our relationship with God.
Proverbs 6:34
“For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.”
This verse speaks of the destructive consequences of jealousy within marital relationships. Jealousy can lead to anger, revenge, and the breakdown of trust. It serves as a warning to guard against jealousy in our friendships, as it can have similarly devastating effects on these relationships.
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
This well-known verse encourages us to treat others with love, respect, and fairness. It serves as a reminder to put ourselves in others’ shoes and consider how we would want to be treated. When jealousy arises, it is important to remember this principle and seek reconciliation, empathy, and understanding in our friendships.
Genesis 37:11
“His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”
This verse tells the story of Joseph and his jealous brothers. Jealousy can stem from insecurity, comparison, or fear of personal inadequacy. Joseph’s father, Jacob, recognized the jealousy and its potential consequences. It reminds us of the role of parental guidance and wisdom in addressing and addressing jealousy in friendships.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
In this famous passage, Paul describes the characteristics of genuine love. Love is contrasted with envy, emphasizing that true love does not harbor jealousy. These verses remind us of the importance of cultivating love in our friendships, which includes letting go of envy and celebrating the success and blessings of others.
Job 5:2
“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do.”
This verse highlights the futility and foolishness of allowing jealousy and resentment to consume us. It reminds us that jealousy only brings harm to ourselves and can lead to unnecessary distress. Letting go of jealousy in our friendships allows us to experience peace, joy, and freedom.
Proverbs 27:6
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Proverbs acknowledges that true friends may occasionally cause wounds, but their intentions can be trusted. Jealousy in friendships can lead to feelings of betrayal, but it is important to differentiate between genuine concern and envy. True friends are willing to confront and address issues, even if it may cause temporary discomfort, ultimately seeking the well-being of the relationship.
James 4:2-3
“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
James exposes the root cause of jealousy and strife – selfish desires and wrong motives. He challenges us to approach God with our needs and rely on Him rather than allowing envy to drive our actions. Jealousy in friendships can be a wake-up call to examine our motives and surrender them to God, seeking His kingdom and righteousness above all else.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
“And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
This verse acknowledges that envy and jealousy often motivate people to toil and achieve. However, it also reveals the emptiness and futility of such pursuits driven by comparison and envy. Jealousy in friendships reminds us of the importance of finding contentment and purpose in Christ rather than obsessing over what others have or achieve.
Proverbs 14:20
“The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.”
This proverb points out the tendency to befriend those who are more affluent while neglecting those in need. Jealousy in friendships can arise from a desire to be accepted or included in certain social circles. It serves as a reminder to value all people, regardless of their material possessions, and to avoid allowing jealousy to dictate our relationships.
Matthew 20:15
“Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?”
In this parable, Jesus challenges the jealousy and entitlement of the laborers who expected more pay than agreed upon. It serves as a caution against envy, reminding us to celebrate the generosity and blessings of others rather than allowing jealousy to cloud our perspectives and relationships.
Proverbs 24:1-2
“Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.”
This verse warns against envying the wicked and desiring their companionship. Jealousy in friendships can lead us astray, causing us to compromise our values and engage in harmful behavior. It reminds us to choose our friends wisely, seeking companions who will encourage our faith and growth in Christ.
Galatians 5:26
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Paul encourages believers to avoid conceit and the negative behaviors that arise from it, such as provoking and envying one another. Jealousy in friendships can stem from a desire for superiority or recognition. This verse reminds us to embrace humility and unity, celebrating each other’s strengths and supporting one another without harboring jealousy.
James 3:14
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”
James warns against harboring envy and selfish ambition in our hearts. Jealousy in friendships can fester and lead to bitterness if not addressed appropriately. It is a reminder to examine our motives and attitudes, seeking the truth and pursuing reconciliation and restoration in our relationships.
Proverbs 12:26
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
This proverb emphasizes the importance of choosing friends wisely. Jealousy in friendships can be a red flag, revealing the quality of the relationships we have cultivated. It reminds us to surround ourselves with righteous influences and to avoid friendships that lead us away from God’s truth and purpose.
Proverbs 17:5
“Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.”
This verse condemns mocking and gloating over the misfortune of others. Jealousy in friendships can manifest as schadenfreude, taking pleasure in the downfall or struggles of others. It is a reminder to cultivate compassion, empathy, and kindness in our relationships, avoiding attitudes and behaviors rooted in jealousy.
Mark 7:21-23
“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
In this passage, Jesus teaches about the iniquities that originate from within the heart. Envy is mentioned alongside other harmful thoughts and actions. It serves as a reminder to guard our hearts against jealousy and to seek transformation through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in our friendships and relationships.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
This verse emphasizes the power of love in overcoming conflict and wrongs. Jealousy in friendships can lead to hostility and discord. It reminds us of the importance of choosing love, forgiveness, and reconciliation over envy, seeking harmony and unity within our relationships.