Is it a Sin to Envy Someone?

Overview

Envy is one of the most spiritually corrosive sins mentioned in the Bible, yet it’s also one of the most overlooked. I’ve seen how envy can take root quietly, distorting relationships, feeding bitterness, and ultimately blinding believers to God’s goodness in their own lives. In this article, we’ll explore envy not through vague moralism, but through the lens of God’s Word, with a clear, doctrinally sound understanding rooted in both Old and New Testament teaching.

You'll learn what envy is according to Scripture, how it differs from jealousy, how it has appeared in the lives of biblical figures, and why the Church has historically recognized it as one of the seven deadly sins. What Is the Sin of Envy? Envy is one of the most spiritually corrosive sins in the Bible.

It is a deep-rooted resentment toward the blessings, achievements, or advantages of others, often accompanied by a desire to possess what they have or to see them lose it. Unlike jealousy, which seeks to protect what belongs to oneself, envy is destructive and bitter toward others' good. The Bible speaks directly against envy, associating it with spiritual immaturity, division, and death.

Going Deeper

It is a sin that distorts love, poisons relationships, and blinds us to God’s goodness in our own lives. “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” - Proverbs 14:30 (NIV) Envy as One of the Seven Deadly Sins In the traditional Christian classification of the seven deadly sins, envy stands alongside pride , greed , lust , gluttony , wrath , and sloth . These “capital vices” are so-called because they give rise to many other sins. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) Envy is especially harmful because it targets others' well-being, resenting not evil but good, whether that good is someone’s success, status, family, gifts, or spiritual calling.

Envy is the opposite of love, which rejoices in others’ good 💡 Read this article to discover the 7 deadly sins explained . Get Closer to God Today Download Bible Chat ★ 4.9 Average Rating | Over 5 Million Downloads