What The Bible Teaches About Envy

By Edwin Jardinel
envy2

en·vy -- noun 1. a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or success.

verb 2. desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).

Q.1
Are there people who were killed out of envy? *

For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
(Job 5:2)

Q.2
Should you follow the ways of those who oppress or abuse others? *

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
(Proverbs 3:31)

Q.3
What is the command in Proverbs 3: 29? *

Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
(Proverbs 3:29)

Q.4
Is envy one of the reasons why sometimes there are people who will do you wrong even if you did nothing wrong to them? *

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
(Proverbs 3:30)

Q.5
What is the command in Proverbs 3:30? *

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
(Proverbs 3:30)

Q.6
How does envy affect your health? *

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
(Proverbs 14:30)

Q.7
What should be the attitude of the Christian? *

Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
(Proverbs 23:17)

Q.8
Which is more difficult to deal with? *

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

Q.9
When a person dies, will he still have that feeling of envy? *

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 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.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)

Q.10
Would you be envious of a dead person? *

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 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.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)

Q.11
When the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, will envy depart? *

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 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 11:9-13)

Q.12
Will God deal with envious people accordingly? *

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.
(Ezekiel 35:11)

Q.13
For what reason did the religious people want to destroy Jesus? *

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. (Matthew 27:15-20)

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
(Mark 15:9-10)

Q.14
For what reason did the Patriarchs sell Joseph to Egypt? *

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
(Acts 7:8-9)

Q.15
What were the reasons that the Jews spoke against Paul and Barnabas? *

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 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 13:43-45)

Q.16
Who were the people that caused an uproar in the city due to envy? *

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.
(Acts 17:5)

Q.17
What is the result of rejecting knowledge about God? *

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
(Romans 1:28-29)

Q.18
What wrong motive is mentioned being done by some preachers? *

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
(Philippians 1:15)

Q.19
What kind of a teacher or preacher is a person who does not agree with the teachings of the Bible? *

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,
(1 Timothy 6:3-4)

Q.20
What does false teaching produce? *

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,
(1 Timothy 6:3-4)

Q.21
Is the attitude of being envious, spiritual or carnal? *

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
(Titus 3:3)

Q.22
Should a christian be envious of those who do evil? *

A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
(Psalms 37:1)

Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
(Proverbs 24:19)

Q.23
Did David experience a feeling of envy with those who do not believe in God? *

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
(Psalms 73:2-7)

Q.24
Why was David envious at them? *

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
(Psalms 73:2-7)

Q.25
Are there ungodly who prosper in the world? *

Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
(Psalms 73:12)

Q.26
Did David experience pain and bitterness? *

Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
(Psalms 73:12-16)

Q.27
What made him feel bitter or depressed? *

Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
(Psalms 73:12-16)

Q.28
When did his confusion and envy end? *

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
(Psalms 73:17)

Q.29
What did he learn about the life of the unbelievers or wicked? *

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
(Psalms 73:18-19)

Q.30
How did he feel after he realized his envious attitude was wrong? *

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
(Psalms 73:21-22)

Q.31
Why should the Christian be thankful and satisfied with God? *

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
(Psalms 73:23-26)

Q.32
What is the end of those who are far from God? *

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
(Psalms 73:27)

Q.33
Why is it good to draw near to God and to trust Him? *

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
(Psalms 73:25-28)

Q.34
Name *


Q.35
Email Address: *

By Edwin Jardinel 3-17-2018
Bible Correspondence Institute
P.O. Box 3193 M.C.P.O. 1271
Makati City, Philippines

biblecorrespondenceinstitute@gmail.com