If a person discovered they had cancer, most people would do everything they could to get rid of this terrible disease. As seen in Proverbs 14:30 jealousy is compared to such a serious illness: “Jealousy is like bone cancer.” [NCMM] Most people are not willing to admit they are jealous of others, for that would be an attack on their own weakness. However, jealousy is a disease of the emotions that infects most people. James 4:5 states that humankind has a “tendency to envy” - an almost inborn inclination to become jealous of another. What causes this? It is simple - ego.

In the Scriptures the Hebrew and Greek most often translated “jealousy” have a good and bad form. It is the latter we will consider here. Most people know what jealousy is when they see its manifestations in other people, but seldom in themselves. Jealousy may be defined as “resentful suspicion of another’s motives.” It is the kissing cousin of envy which is a covetous greed for something possessed by another - beauty, wealth, social position, influence, authority, intelligence, education, riches, opportunities, promotion, or respect accorded others. [Ecclesiastes 4:4; 9:6; Ezekiel 35:11] The first reported case of jealousy is that of Rachel regarding Jacob’s other wife [Genesis 30:1], though we might expect it in Cain.

Jealousy ALWAYS stems from egotism and selfishness [James 3:14], and it is ALWAYS manifest in negative speech or slander, or worse - physical harm. [Acts 13:45] Jealousy drove the Jewish hierarchy to kill Jesus and persecute his disciples. [Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:50; Acts 5:17; 7:9]

Jealousy Over Spiritual Blessings

It is almost unthinkable - beyond comprehension - that one could be jealousy of another’s spiritual blessings and privileges. However, such has been the case from the beginning. It is likely that jealousy over God’s approval of Abel moved Cain to slay his brother. [Genesis 4:5] Where there is hatred, or an extreme dislike, usually jealousy may be found. [1 John chapter 3]

Some Christians may become jealous of another who manifests God’s blessing and direction. This was the case with Joseph and his brothers. For Genesis 37:11 says, “His brothers grew jealous of him.” [Acts 7:9] Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because of his spiritual blessings in seeing a vision. Of course, we can sympathize a bit with the feelings of Joseph’s brothers. If some one came to us and said they had a vision of all of us bowing and kissing their feet, we might be taken back a bit. However, we cannot sympathize with the actions of Joseph’s brothers.

Jealousy spawns political ambition. Miriam and Dathan became jealous of Moses’ authority, leading to punishment by God. Psalm 106:16, 17 records the event:

“When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the holy ones of the LORD, the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and the company of Abiram.” [RSV]

Even Aaron became jealous of the spiritual blessings that came upon others:

“But there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp. There ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, My lord Moses, forbid them. Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? would that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!’” [Numbers 11:26-29 WEB]

It is jealousy that drove king Saul to hate David and his men. [2 Samuel 21:3] When Saul heard the women sing in praise of both David and himself, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands,” it enraged the king. Jealous persons are tormented when they hear others praised in their presence. For this reason even honest persons must be careful when praising others that they do not needlessly arouse jealousy in others.

Jealousy in the Christian Church