The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Envy

Ever found yourself comparing your life to others and feeling a twinge of jealousy? You're not alone. Envy is a common emotion that can sneak up on anyone, but it doesn't have to control you.

Let's explore some timeless wisdom that offers guidance and comfort. These insights can help you navigate those moments when envy tries to take the wheel.

50 Bible Verses About Envy

10 Bible Verses on Overcoming Envy

• "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones." — Proverbs 14:30
• "But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." — James 3:14-16
• "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." — Galatians 5:26
• "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking," — 1 Peter 2:1
• "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy." — Romans 13:13
• "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" — 1 Corinthians 3:3
• "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." — Philippians 2:3
• "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." — 1 Timothy 6:6-8
• "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." — Colossians 3:5
• "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." — Ephesians 4:31

10 Bible Verses on Envy and Contentment

• "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:11-13
• "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" — Hebrews 13:5
• "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." — 1 Timothy 6:6
• "Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." — Psalm 37:1-3
• "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day." — Proverbs 23:17
• "Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind." — Ecclesiastes 4:6
• "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." — 2 Corinthians 12:10
• "And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'" — Luke 12:15
• "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'" — Matthew 6:25-34
• "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

10 Bible Verses on Envy in Relationships

• "Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell." — Genesis 4:4-5
• "And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind." — Genesis 37:11
• "Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?' So Saul eyed David from that day forward." — 1 Samuel 18:8-9
• "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" — Proverbs 27:4
• "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask." — James 4:1-2
• "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." — Galatians 5:19-21
• "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up." — 1 Corinthians 13:4
• "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." — Romans 12:15
• "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame." — Song of Solomon 8:6
• "For jealousy is a husband's fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance." — Proverbs 6:34

10 Bible Verses on Envy and Gratitude

• "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
• "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." — Colossians 3:15
• "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." — Psalm 100:4
• "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6-7
• "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." — 1 Chronicles 16:34
• "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." — Psalm 136:1
• "Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." — Ephesians 5:20
• "While you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God." — 2 Corinthians 9:11
• "Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." — Colossians 2:7
• "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." — Psalm 118:24

10 Bible Verses on Envy's Consequences

• "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones." — Proverbs 14:30
• "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." — James 3:16
• "Envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." — Galatians 5:21
• "Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers." — Romans 1:29
• "For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one." — Job 5:2
• "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" — Proverbs 27:4
• "Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind." — Ecclesiastes 4:4
• "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" — 1 Corinthians 3:3
• "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask." — James 4:2
• "Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out." — Proverbs 24:19-20

What Does the Bible Say About Envy

The Bible offers profound insights into the nature of envy and its impact on our lives. Envy is depicted as a destructive force that can corrode our hearts and minds. Proverbs 14:30 warns that "envy is rottenness to the bones," highlighting its detrimental effects on our well-being. Similarly, James 3:16 notes that "where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there," emphasizing the chaos it brings into our lives.

However, the Bible also provides a pathway to overcome envy through contentment and gratitude. Philippians 4:11-13 teaches us to be content in all circumstances, reminding us that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This verse encourages us to find strength and satisfaction in our faith rather than in material possessions or social status. Additionally, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 urges us to "give thanks in everything," fostering a spirit of gratitude that can counteract feelings of envy.

In relationships, the Bible advises us to practice love and empathy. Romans 12:15 encourages us to "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep," promoting a sense of community and shared joy. By embracing these teachings, we can cultivate a more compassionate and hopeful outlook, freeing ourselves from the grip of envy and fostering a more fulfilling life.

How to Apply Envy Bible Verses in Daily Life

Applying the teachings of the Bible on envy in daily life can transform your mindset and relationships. Start by practicing gratitude. Each day, write down three things you are thankful for to shift your focus from what you lack to what you have.

Next, cultivate contentment by setting realistic goals and celebrating small achievements. This helps you appreciate your journey without comparing it to others.

In relationships, practice empathy and support. Rejoice in others' successes and offer comfort in their struggles. This fosters a sense of community and reduces feelings of envy.

• Daily Reflection: Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on Bible verses about contentment and gratitude.
• Mindfulness: Be mindful of your thoughts and redirect envious feelings towards positive actions.
• Acts of Kindness: Perform random acts of kindness to shift your focus from envy to generosity.

By integrating these practices, you can overcome envy and lead a more fulfilling life. Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.