Jealousy is such a divisive and destructive force in the church today.  In reality, the Lord will use whom He chooses to accomplish His purposes and, at best, we are simply servants.  We learn in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 that, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; CHARITY ENVIETH NOT; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.”  The true love of a believer, the kind of love that Christ has for us, will not allow for jealousy among the Lord’s people.  Romans 5:5 teaches us that, “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  Every believer has the love of God in his heart, and living by this love, there should never be jealousy among us.

As for spiritual gifts, every believer has a gift, or ability, from the Lord to serve Him.  Ephesians 4:7 says, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”  Every believer has been gifted so that he/she might fill their role in the body of Christ.  Instead of being jealous of one another, we should be thankful for each other’s gifts.  After all, the Lord will use their gifts to minister to others, including ourselves. 

Jealousy is a sign of walking in the flesh and not walking according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  To be a carnal Christian means that we are walking according to the lusts (desires) or our own flesh.  We read in 1 Corinthians 3:3, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you ENVYING, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”  Galatians 5:26 exhorts and warns us, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, ENVYING ONE ANOTHER.” 

  • Proverbs 6:34 tells us, “For jealousy is the rage of a man…”
  • Song of Solomon 8:6 teaches us that, “…jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.”
  • 1 Timothy 6:3-4 says, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh ENVY, strife, railings, evil surmisings.”  It is the unwise, ungodly man that will envy others instead of loving them with the love of Christ.

There is a ‘godly jealousy’ which will cause us to act to help our brothers and sisters in Christ to maintain a pure and holy walk with the Lord.  We read the words of Paul, the apostle in 2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”  It is sad to see one who is jealous over another and does not want them to be successful in their service to the Lord. 

I suggest that you pray for these women who are acting in jealousy towards others.  Perhaps the Lord might lead you to speak to them of their behavior.  In this, you might cause them to realize the damage they are doing so that they might repent and cease this behavior.  (CC)  (628.6)