The cure for the sin of envy and jealousy is to find our contentment in God.
Copied from The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, © 1996, p. 120. Used by permission of NavPress – www.navpress.com. All rights reserved.
Jealousy is a fervent desire to have things transpire as one desires.
James Fowler Excerpted from: Jealousy, Study Outlines, 1999, www.christinyou.net. Used by Permission.
Examples of selfish jealousy:
1. Jealous of another’s possessions, wealth, assets – (greed, coveting).
2. Jealous of another’s position, placement, job, advancement.
3. Jealous of another’s authority, power, leadership.
4. Jealous of another’s recognition, praise, prestige.
5. Jealous of another’s abilities, talents, skills.
6. Jealous of another’s accomplishments, achievements, success.7. Jealous of another’s intelligence, logic, knowledge.
8. Jealous of another’s personality, social standing.
9. Jealous of another’s relationships, communication, intimacy, marriage.
10. Jealous of another’s loyalties, devotion, attachments.
11. Jealous of another’s age, youth, maturity, experience.12. Jealous of another’s looks, appearance, beauty, health.
13. Jealous of another’s clothes, style, sophistication.
14. Jealous of another’s opportunities, privileges, advantages, good fortune.
Excerpted from: Jealousy, Study Outlines, 1999, www.christinyou.net. Used by Permission.
If…someone is leaving you behind, and you are becoming jealous and embittered, keep praying that he may have success in the very matter where he is awakening your envy; and whether he is helped or not, one thing is sure, that your own soul will be cleansed and ennobled.
Unrighteous jealously is centered on self, rooted in pride and offensive to God. Jealousy is a warning light that you are not rejoicing in the success of others and loving those who have offended you. It’s a warning light that you are not trusting in the providence of God for your own life. It’s a warning light that there is too much self-worship and not enough Christ worship.
Sermon, Childish or Childlike? 2 Corinthians 11:1-6, January 11, 2015.
Self-love is, no doubt, the usual foundation of human jealousy…the fear lest another should by any means supplant us.
A Jealous God, Sermon 502, March 29, 1863.
The marital relationship may be the best way to help us understand the difference between sinful jealousy and righteous jealousy. I can be jealous over my relationship with my wife in a wrong way or in a right way. For example, if I feel resentment or anger merely because I see her talking to another man, that would be self-centered possessiveness and unreasonable domination – in other words, sinful jealousy. It would stem from my own selfishness or insecurity rather than from my commitment to her and to what is right. But, on the other hand, if I see some man actually trying to alienate my wife’s affections and seduce her, then I have reason to be righteously jealous. God gave her to me to be my wife. Her body is mine just as my body is hers. I have the exclusive right to enjoy her fully, and for someone else to assume that right would be a violation of God’s holy standards. I am zealous for the exclusiveness and purity of our marriage, and that is a righteous jealousy.
A Jealous God, www.bible.org, Copyright ©1996-2005, All rights reserved.
[You must avoid] a jealous disposition, a secret spirit of envy shut up in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the great prosperity and success of another; a disposition to speak of the faults and failings, rather than the gifts and virtues of those more talented and appreciated than yourself.
Not I, but Christ.