Envy is a feeling of discontentment or resentment brought on by seeing the possessions, qualities, or luck of another person, and the desire to have it for yourself.
If you’re active on social media, you’ve likely felt envious of someone’s family, vacations, physical appearance, financial status, home, or ministry. Of course, we know in the back of our minds that those photos are usually carefully crafted with the best filters to create a perfect image. But envy can still bubble up inside of us, as the devil whispers in our ear that we’re less than.
Not pretty enough, smart enough, rich enough, or happy enough, so we need to chase after the life that person has because they look SO amazing.
It’s in moments like that, as soon as we feel it, that we need to call the devil out for who he is- a liar and listen for the Lord to remind us of what is true.
Bible Verses About Envy in the Old Testament
Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts diligently because the issues of life originate there. In order to keep our hearts clean from sin, we should memorize bible verses about envy, and recite them when that nasty feeling creeps in.
There are 19 Bible verses about envy in the KJV.
My go-to memory verse for envy is Proverbs 27:4, which shows just how evil envy is.
Job 5:2 KJV – For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
Proverbs 3:31 KJV – Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Proverbs 14:30 KJV – A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Proverbs 23:17 KJV – Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Proverbs 27:4 KJV – Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Ecclesiastes 9:6 KJV – Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Isaiah 11:13 KJV – The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
Isaiah 26:11 KJV – LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.
Ezekiel 35:11 KJV – Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee.
Bible Verses About Envy in the New Testament
Jesus experienced firsthand how dangerous envy can be. The Bible says that envy was the reason the religious leaders condemned Him to be crucified. Jesus was a threat to their agenda, and their envy turned to rage which resulted in murder.
Envy is a damaging emotion, so we need to be quick to rid ourselves of it before it morphs into madness. Share on X
Matthew 27:18 KJV – For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Mark 15:10 KJV – For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
Acts 7:9 KJV – And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
Acts 13:45 KJV – But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Acts 17:5 KJV – But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Romans 1:29 KJV – Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Philippians 1:15 KJV – Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
1 Timothy 6:4 KJV – He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Titus 3:3 KJV – For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
James 4:5 KJV – Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Apply the Bible Verses About Envy
If you find yourself bitter or resentful of someone else’s life, ministry, family, or clothing size, take those emotions to Jesus. Run how you feel through the filter of God’s word.
Be sober-minded. Arrest your thoughts, apply what the scriptures teach on envy, and ask God to give you contentment and gratitude for all you DO have, instead of wishing you had the social media illusions.
And if you’re seriously discontent with your life, pray about that. Ask the Lord to reveal the origin of those feelings, because it may actually be a holy discontentment. God may have placed that on your heart to stir you up or spur you on to a deeper level of consecration to Him.
It could be He has a new direction for your life! That’s why abiding in Christ, and being sensitive to His Spirit is vital for every disciple.
If you can’t shake the envy, you might need to delete those social media accounts altogether. Or put space between you and whatever triggers you to be envious. Anything that’s not helping you to be holy, hopeful, and happy in the Lord, needs to go! Be vigilant to rid your life of things that hinder your spiritual maturity and stability!
More Articles on Scriptures:
19 Encouraging Bible Verses About Hope (KJV)
10 Key Scriptures for Spiritual Growth
What the Bible Says About Being Sober-Minded
16 Scriptures for a Sober Mind
What Every Disciple Needs to Know About Sound Doctrine
3 Study Tips to Sweeten Bitter Scriptures: Dealing with difficult bible verses
18 Psalms for a Sober Mind in Suffering
The Importance of Scripture in My Life: Guest Post for Wield the Word
Memorizing Scripture from A to Z
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