Thoughts on Envy and Jealousy

Envy and jealousy are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight different. 

Envy is wanting something possessed or enjoyed by another. Envy involves two parties. We envy when somebody else owns or utilized something we want. For example: Sarah envies Michelle's large house.

Jealousy is the threat of losing someone or something we already possess to a third person. Jealousy necessitates three parties. For example: Jennifer is jealous of Rick's friends because Rick is spending more time with them than he is with her.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. -Proverbs 14:30

Love is not jealous. -1 Corinthians 13:4

It is a slow death to let oneself be trampled to death by geese, and to let oneself be worn to death by envy is also a slow way of dying. -Søren Kierkegaard

• It is impossible to simultaneously envy and love someone.
• Envy and jealousy make gratitude and thankfulness very difficult.
• Tearing another down does not build you up.
• Jealousy is like taking a toxic medicine and expecting the other to die.

Envy and jealousy are destructive and self-destructive behaviors that distance us from God, others, and our true self.