There’s a thin line between envy and jealousy. No, they are not the same, even though they are often used interchangeably. Even the Bible use the terms in similar meanings.

Jealousy is defined as an emotion; thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, concern, and envy over relative lack of possessions.

Envy is defined as a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck. It is the desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).

As someone once said, “Jealousy is the green-eyed monster turned red!”

Analyzed in the perspective of a traffic light, green means go and red means stop.  When it comes to envy and jealousy, green does not necessarily mean go ahead. In some cases, envy can be healthy. By that I mean it could be healthy to look at what someone else have and desire it; meaning it inspires you to work harder to achieve that status or get that item. The issue comes in when that envy turns into jealousy! When I desire it becomes I want what you have or you don’t even deserve what you got then that is when it becomes dangerous. That is where sin comes into play.

 

Songs of Solomon 8: 6 (KJV) states, “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” This scripture tells us that jealousy is as bad as death, but isn’t that contradictory as we also say, “God is a jealous god!” So how can one be good and the other be bad.

Jealousy can dominate our lives and leads us on a self-destructive path and shortens our spiritual growth and it all arises from the fear attached to the emotion. Jealousy is a fear of being replaced by a rival (or someone seen as a rival) in affection or favors.

Proverbs 27:4 (NIV) Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,

    but who can stand before jealousy?

Proverbs 27:4 (KJV) Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Proverbs 14:30 (KJV) A heart at peace gives life to the body,

    but envy [jealousy] rots the bones

While envy can be positive, jealousy, on the other hand, always has a bad meaning.  We have to take a moment and analyze if we are jealous because if we don’t it can kill us.

How do you know if you are jealous or have a jealous spirit? Ask yourself these questions. 

Do you work extremely hard to come out looking good?
Do you examine others with a critical eye?
Do you have hidden feelings of inferiority?
Do you complain about not getting fair treatment?
Do you have an insatiable desire for success?
Do you need a lot of recognition for your achievements?
Do you tend to be status conscious?
Do you find it hard to pay compliments to others?
Do you keep score of your own good deeds and those of others?
Are you willing to pass along negative rumors about a successful person?
Do you put on a false front in order to appear impressive?
Do you base your self-image on your performance?

If you answered yes to some of these questions, you may be having trouble with jealousy, even though you haven’t recognized it.

So, how do you get rid of being jealous or having a jealous spirit?

First off, jealousy is normally a result of an underlying issue within yourself. It is a lack of personal responsibility. To get rid of a jealous spirit,

you must first acknowledge and recognize that you are jealous and that it is harming your spiritual growth (Galatians 5:19-21)
you must make up in your mind to get rid of the jealous spirit (Galatians 5:26)
you must confess it as sin and accept forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
you must accept and love yourself despite flaws with gratitude
you must learn the joy of giving to others and being grateful
you must set your heart on heavenly things because earthly things can only provide temporary happiness

Self-will is very important when trying to overcome something, but self-will will not work alone. You are going to need some spiritual help and that is why you should work at overcoming your issues, but you should also give them to God.