Why is Jealousy a Sin?
Jealousy is a common, yet extremely harmful, sin. It often leads to worse/more sins as people decide that what another person owns or has earned should be theirs. It also applies to relationships and often breaks up the holy covenant of marriage. Our first biblical example is how jealousy of God’s approval caused Cain to murder Abel. It should be obvious how jealousy leads to unhappiness, crime, and adultery, yet people often feel it (and act upon it) without consciously acknowledging it. It also creates an unhealthy desire for more “things” rather than focusing on God and His purpose in your life. It makes people unhappy, unsatisfied, and vengeful. It is a selfish feeling that once acted upon, often becomes criminal.
Let’s take a look at how often the 10 Commandments address jealousy:
- You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3) [Jealousy: you shall put no one above me]
- You shall not make for yourself a carved image. (Exodus 20:4-6) [Jealousy: You shall not replace your love for me with anything or anyone. You will not worship anyone but me]
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11) [Jealousy: you shall have a day to HONOR God and only God]
- Honor your father and your mother. (Exodus 20:12)
- You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13) [Jealousy can cause one to murder in order to obtain what another person owns or to take their relationships from them]
- You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14) {Jealousy: No MAN will destroy the relationship that was created in God’s Name and covenant]
- You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15) [Jealousy: people steal because they covet and desire what another person owns]
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16) {Jealousy can cause people to lie in order to hurt or damage the reputation of another person. They will also lie so that they can take what is rightfully belonging to another person]
- You shall not covet. (Exodus 20:17) [Jealousy: the very definition of coveting {to feel a strong and/or immediate desire for something that belongs to another person. To long for that which belongs to another person.
It is very clear that jealousy is an extremely strong and harmful emotion that is addressed in at least eight of the 10 commandments. This tells us God knows the heart of man and is not only warning us against certain feelings/actions, but actually COMMANDING us not to do them!
As I mentioned above, jealousy is far more common and destructive than people realize. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to evaluate your feelings of desire or wanting something another person owns or long for a relationship that another person has developed with a person or a group of people.
Jealousy will cause people to commit heinous acts simply to take away what someone else has or to kill the person and remove them from the picture altogether. God warns us over and over in the Bible about the SIN of JEALOUSY because it causes so much pain, heartache, and harmful acts that it literally removes us from God and His purpose for our lives. I have compiled some commentary from three other sites to summarize and explain very clearly why and how jealousy is a sin and a scourge to the world:
“The Bible addresses jealousy in several passages, emphasizing its negative impact and the need for believers to guard their hearts against it. Jealousy is often seen as a sin that can lead to further transgressions and spiritual downfall. The Old Testament provides examples of jealousy's destructive nature, such as Cain's jealousy leading to the first murder and Joseph's brothers' jealousy resulting in them first wanting to kill Joseph, then ultimately selling him into slavery. The wisdom literature also warns against the corrosive effect of jealousy, contrasting it with the peace and health that come from contentment.” GotQuestions.org (wording modified by me)
“The Bible encourages believers to be content with what they have and to focus on the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By allowing the Holy Spirit to control us, we can produce the fruit of our salvation, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” BibleStudyTools.com
“In summary, jealousy is a sin that can lead to destructive behavior and disrupt relationships. The Bible provides guidance on how to manage jealousy in a way that aligns with God's will and promotes healthier, more harmonious relationships.” BibleHub.com
This sermon and the above commentary illustrate how sin degrades our quality of life and our relationship with God. It takes our focus off our own gifts and creates an unhealthy desire in us to obtain the gifts given to others. Each of us has a purpose on earth, and coveting the money, fame, relationships, and power of others will destroy that heavenly purpose, thus making our lives painful and difficult. I pray this sermon helps you evaluate your feelings towards things that you desire/worship and ensure that in all things you are following God’s commandments and seeking/performing YOUR purpose on earth while appreciating the gifts that have been given to you. Many blessings, Lisa ><>
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