The Danger of Jealousy

The Biblical story of Saul and David can be found in 1 Samuel. It’s a story of jealousy and anger, leading to unrighteous behavior. Jealousy may not seem like a major sin in our daily lives. We all get a little jealous of people from time to time; what’s the big deal?

But 1 Samuel 18:1-16 has a story about jealousy getting out of hand. In the story, the king, Saul, reacted with extreme jealousy against David. He feared David’s success in battle and people praising David more than the king. His fear and insecurity led to  jealousy. In the story, the king was afraid David might try to unseat him. His jealousy grew so deep that he wanted to kill David on more than one occasion.

Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions. It can include emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, disgust and helplessness.

Jealousy is common in human relationships, and some studies observe jealousy in infants as young as five months.

Shakespeare used the term “green-eyed monster”, and so the color green has long been associated with jealousy and envy, “green with envy”.

Jealousy involves fearing losing what one has, while envy is generally thought to be the desire for something someone else has. The words are often used interchangeably, perhaps because people can experience both at the same time. The word “jealousy” is often used to apply to both experiences of jealousy and experiences of envy.

Jealousy may involve fear of loss, suspicion of or anger about a perceived betrayal, low self-esteem, uncertainty, loneliness, and/or distrust.

Most of us have experienced jealousy. We know it’s an emotion that humans are tested with. But we know it’s dangerous to allow jealousy to fester. We need to seek refuge in God when we feel the first stirring of jealousy. Only God can remove those feelings, and He promises that He will do that for the believers in Paradise. [15:47] We remove all jealousy from their hearts. Like one family, they will be on adjacent furnishings.

We need to have confidence in who God made each of us to be. We need to stop comparing ourselves to anyone else. We need to Be content with your lot (74:6). The most important thing we can do when we feel that “green-eyed monster” creeping up on us is to seek refuge in God.

[41:36] When the devil whispers an idea to you, you shall seek refuge in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient. 

[7:200] When the devil whispers to you any whisper, seek refuge in GOD; He is Hearer, Omniscient.

God gives us many examples in the Quran where jealousy leads to straying off the path, rejecting His revelations, and ultimately disbelief.

[2:109] Many followers of the scripture would rather see you revert to disbelief, now that you have believed. This is due to jealousy on their part, after the truth has become evident to them. You shall pardon them, and leave them alone, until GOD issues His judgment. GOD is Omnipotent. (also 2:213, 3:19, 6:124)

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