Jealousy and Envy

I. Introduction
   A. One of the terrors of houses is termites
      1. They may enter in without notice
      2. They eat away at the supports of the house
      3. Without much external warning, a stately old house can fall 
         to pieces because of them!
   B. What termites do to houses, jealousy and envy does to people and 
      to relationships
      1. One may begin feeling jealous or envious without the other 
         noticing
      2. The feelings eat away at a person
      3. It may lead to the destruction of an individual or the 
         destruction of a relationship, because the feelings ate away 
         at the person from the inside!
   C. The Scriptures condemn jealousy and envy as works of the flesh 
      (Galatians 5:19-21)
   D. Let us consider what God has to say about them!

II. Jealousy and Envy
   A. What, precisely, is jealousy and envy?
      1. Jealousy: That passion of peculiar uneasiness which arises 
         from the fear that a rival may rob us of the affection of one 
         whom we love, or the suspicion that he has already done it; 
         or it is the uneasiness which arises from the fear that 
         another does or will enjoy some advantage which we desire for 
         ourselves; suspicious fear or apprehension; suspicious 
         caution or vigilance, an earnest concern or solicitude for 
         the welfare or honor of others; indignation (Webster's)
      2. Envy: Pain, uneasiness, mortification or discontent excited 
         by the sight of another's superiority or success, accompanied 
         with some degree of hatred or malignity, and often or usually 
         with a desire or an effort to depreciate the person, and with 
         pleasure in seeing him depressed; malice; malignity 
         (Webster's)
   B. Both words speak of passions within oneself
      1. Jealousy tends to involve highly possessive feelings of that 
         which we have and suspicion of others whom we think envious
      2. Envy is the desire to have what another has when you do not 
         have it, be it an object or status
   C. The Greek words also are similar
      1. Jealousy: Greek zelos, excitement of mind, ardour, fervour 
         of spirit; zeal; an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy 
         (Thayer's)
      2. Envy: Greek phthonos, envy; for envy, i.e. prompted by envy 
         (Thayer's)
      3. The concept of zelos especially is interesting
      4. zelos, as a passion, can be directed in one of two ways
      5. Positively as zeal: intense desire to serve God 
         (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:11, Colossians 4:13)
      6. Negatively as jealousy: intense desire to hold back from God, 
         others (Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 3:3, James 3:14, 16)
   D. We can see, then, that jealousy and envy represent passions that 
      are directed against others, based either on suspicion of 
      wanting what we have or a fervent desire to have what they have
   E. Let us consider what the Scriptures say regarding them

III. Jealousy and Envy in the Scriptures
   A. God Himself is called Jealous
      1. Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:14
      2. Let us not think that God has a feeling that is in fact 
         sinful!
      3. Such indicates that God desires Israel's service and does not 
         want them to betray Him by serving other gods!
   B. Jealousy prompts a husband to accuse his wife of infidelity 
      (Numbers 5)
   C. Jealousy prompts the Sadducees to imprison the Apostles 
      (Acts 5:17-18)
   D. The Jews show jealousy on other occasions to hinder the Gospel 
      (Acts 13:45, Acts 17:5)
   E. Envy was the reason for the chief priests to deliver Jesus to 
      Pilate (Matthew 27:18)
   F. Jealousy and envy represented major stumbling-blocks for 
      Christians 
      1. Corinth: 1 Corinthians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 12:20
      2. Some preach Christ out of envy (Philippians 1:15)
      3. A result of quarrels (1 Timothy 6:4)
   G. We were once envious of others (Titus 3:3); present condition 
      of Gentiles (Romans 1:29)
   H. Constant commands to avoid them!
      1. Jealousy: Romans 13:13, James 3:14; 16
      2. Envy: Mark 7:22, Galatians 5:26, 1 Peter 2:1
   I. We can see, therefore, the numerous warnings against jealousy 
      and envy!

IV. What's the Difficulty?
   A. But what is wrong with jealousy and envy?
   B. After all, jealousy itself is not always wrong!
      1. God, as we saw, could be jealous for Israel 
         (Exodus 20:5; 34:14)
      2. Paul could speak of having a "godly jealousy" 
         (2 Corinthians 11:2)
   C. Yet, in both these cases, the feeling and the reaction were 
      entirely good and holy
      1. God and Paul were jealous because of their love!
      2. Love for the people that they would do the right and not 
         choose the wrong
      3. Jealousy here as a protective desire
   D. Jealousy more often does not lead to good and holy things, but 
      to all kinds of other sin
      1. James 3:16
      2. Enmity, rivalry, and wrath can result from jealousy
      3. As we saw from the Jews, jealousy can lead us to close our 
         hearts to what is right and fall prey to that which is wrong 
         and sinful!
   E. There is never any good associated with envy!
      1. Ecclesiastes 4:4 rings true
      2. How much effort is expended to "keep up with the Joneses," 
         and for what?
   F. There is one underlying issue underneath both jealousy and envy: 
      covetousness
      1. Not listed in Galatians 5:19-21 specifically, but associated 
         with many works of the flesh (cf. Colossians 3:5)
      2. After all, what is it that would motivate us to be suspicious 
         of how others treat a possession or status of mine, or what 
         motivates us to fervently desire the possession or status of 
         another?
      3. Covetousness is what motivates those feelings-- the fervent 
         desire to obtain
      4. If we already have something, and we have coveted it, we will 
         not only refuse to share it but perhaps think that others 
         want it to the point of taking it!
      5. If we do not have it, and we want it, what manner of evil 
         will enter our minds, all directed at that which we desire 
         and the one who possesses it?
      6. This is why covetousness is so condemned in the Ten 
         Commandments (Exodus 20)!
   G. Jealousy and envy work against God's purposes in His Kingdom
      1. Love is described as not being envious (1 Corinthians 13:4)
      2. Jealousy is considered as being fleshly, not spiritual, and 
         against the truth (1 Corinthians 3:3, James 3:14)
      3. After all, God desires for the members of His Kingdom to be 
         open and honest 
          with each other, to work together, and to bear one 
          another's burdens (Romans 12:3-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 
          Galatians 6:1-2)
      4. The suspicion and hostility engendered by jealousy and envy 
         thus works against God's purposes!
   H. How many times have Christians fallen prey to jealousy and envy, 
      hindered their own work for God, and also the work of others 
      (cf. James 4:17)?
   I. There can be no room for jealousy and envy in the Kingdom!

V. Conclusion
   A. Just as termites destroy homes, so jealousy and envy destroy 
      people and relationships
   B. We have seen how jealousy and envy, born out of covetousness, 
      leads one to feel suspicious or hostile toward others without 
      good reason
   C. Jealousy and envy, if they exist in the body of Christ, are 
      cancers, and must be removed if the body will function 
      according to the desire of God!
   D. Let us put away jealousy and envy, striving to be humble 
      servants of Christ, working with one another!
   E. Invitation/songbook