# What does the Bible say about jealousy? > What the Bible says about jealousy and envy — Scripture-cited verses on disorder, a sound heart, and love that does not envy, plus a next step you can take. Source: https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/jealousy By Andrew Kittridge, Founder of Lumin · August 13, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026 Verses are chosen for the question being asked. Scripture on this site is quoted from the Lumin Translation, the same text as the public reader and the iPhone Bible tab: Lumin’s own translation, drafted with AI from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, checked verse by verse against them, and approved by Lumin. Glosses in answers are original summaries, not a second Bible. Open the named passage; AI is not the interpreter. [How we cite Scripture](https://www.lumin.faith/about#how-we-cite) Jealousy in Scripture is treated as a heart problem, not a personality quirk. Envy compares, then resents. The Bible warns that it breeds disorder and decay, and it answers with a different kind of love: one that can rejoice in another person’s good without needing to own it. - [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md) - [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md) ## Bible verses about jealousy - **[James 3:16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/3#16)** — Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice. - **[Proverbs 14:30](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/14#30)** — A sound heart gives life to the body; envy is rottenness to the bones. - **[1 Corinthians 13:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-corinthians/13#4)** — Love is patient and kind; love does not envy. - **[Galatians 5:19-21](https://www.lumin.faith/read/galatians/5#19)** — Envy and jealousy appear among the works of the flesh that war against a life led by the Spirit. - **[Exodus 20:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/20#17)** — Do not covet your neighbor’s house, spouse, or anything that belongs to them. - **[Galatians 5:26](https://www.lumin.faith/read/galatians/5#26)** — Let us not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another. - **[Psalm 73:2-3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/73#2)** — Asaph nearly slipped when he envied the arrogant and saw the prosperity of the wicked. - **[Romans 12:15](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/12#15)** — Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ## Highlighted verse > A peaceful heart gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. > > — Proverbs 14:30 (Lumin Translation) ## Reflection Jealousy usually tells a true story about desire and a false story about God: that there is not enough, that you were overlooked, that another person’s gift stole yours. Scripture does not shame the ache; it names the lie. A sound heart can want good things and still bless what someone else has received. ## One next step Name the person or situation you keep comparing yourself with. Thank God for one specific good in their life, then ask for one faithful next step in your own. ## FAQ ### What is a key Bible verse about jealousy? Proverbs 14:30: a peaceful heart gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. James 3:16 says jealousy and selfish ambition breed disorder. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says love does not envy. ### How should Christians respond to envy? Name the comparison, thank God for one good in the other person’s life, and ask for a faithful next step in your own. Jealousy tells a true story about desire and a false story that God did not have enough for you. ### Is jealousy always a sin? Envy of what God has given another person is treated as a heart problem in Scripture. (God’s “jealousy” for his people is a different word-picture — covenant loyalty, not resentment.) The call is a sound heart that can bless another’s good. ## Related questions - [What does the Bible say about pride?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/pride.md) - [What does the Bible say about anger?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/anger.md) - [What does the Bible say about gratitude?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/gratitude.md) ## Related guides - [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md) - [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md) --- Ask, Bible Coach, Pray, and Sermon Week are the four jobs in Lumin. The app is for iPhone and iPad. App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lumin-bible-ai-companion/id6754889412 Ask on the web: https://www.lumin.faith/app Browse answers: https://www.lumin.faith/answers.md