Jealousy and envy are closely related and sometimes used interchangeably in modern Bible translations, but they are not quite the same.
Jealousy is a reaction to the fear or threat of losing something, or often someone we possess. It is the sense of dread or suspicion we feel when what we have might be taken away.
Envy is a reaction to lacking something that another person possesses. It is the distress or resentment we feel when others have what we don't have.
Envy is prideful.
Envy is a spiritual cancer that leads to death.
Envy is a dangerous state of mind and heart, and it is often coupled with denial.
You can see signs of envy in yourself and/or others when:
> You refuse to support or check in on someone because what is happening in their life isn't happening in yours. (I.e., you claim to be for this person, but use excuses like, "I've just been busy with life" when being unsupportive is called out or noticed. Or doing the bare minimum here and there in hopes they don't notice.)
> You aren’t happy for others when they achieve success. (i.e., won't call or text when something good happens for them and pretend like you didn't know.)
> Another person’s success makes you feel unhappy.
> You feel the need to diminish someone else’s success. (i.e., plotting against them to humiliate or destroy them physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually)
> You judge others negatively. (i.e., always talking down about someone and what they are doing.)
> You’re happy when others face setbacks. (i.e., this is when you seek opportunities to bask in their distress by suddenly "being there", but can't be found when things are going well for them.)
The root of envy is a dissatisfied heart. We experience envy when we cannot have what our heart desires. If we don't deal with it, it will have us missing out on what God intended to be a healthy relationship and will lead to our own destruction.
Here are a few scriptures regarding what God says about Envy and how we can overcome it. However, the first step is to come out of denial. Confession leads to repentance. Repentance leads to freedom.
Psalm 37:3-6 Philippians 4:10-13 1 Corinthians 13:4 Proverbs 14:30