Empowering Solutions for Overcoming the Spirit of Jealousy

Healing Ancestral Wounds

Overcome Jealousy

By Gena Barnhill @BarnhillGena

Did you know a spirit of jealousy can ignite rivalry in relationships?

We are familiar with the expressions green with envy, green-eyed monster, and jealous eye. The expression green-eyed monster, a synonym for jealousy, is hundreds of years old. Sometimes the words jealousy, envy, and coveting are used interchangeably. Other times jealousy is referred to as a more active behavior resulting from envy or coveting.

I want to think these expressions refer to others and not me. But if I am honest with myself, I must admit I have experienced jealousy numerous times. I envied others who seemed more gifted in certain areas than I was. Underneath my envy and jealousy was a fear of losing something or resentment of what the other person had that I desired.

Empowering Solutions for Overcoming the Spirit of Jealousy #jealousy #envy #healing Share on X

Evidence of Jealousy in the Bible

The Bible speaks of jealousy. Satan was jealous of God, which led to his fall from heaven.

According to pastor and author R. T. Kendall, the Bible mentions sibling rivalry more than any other jealousy.1 Cain’s jealousy over God’s favor to Abel, led him to murder his brother. Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy of him, and the favor their father showed Joseph, led them to sell Joseph into slavery. This pattern of sibling jealousy, rooted in envy and resentment, has passed down the generations and is seen today in many families.

Jealousy is Pervasive

No one escapes feeling jealous at some point in their life. The spirit of jealousy can be subtle, keeping us unaware of its presence and helping us feel justified in our thoughts and behavior toward others. It also can work with other spirits and negative influences such as abandonment, rejection, bitterness, pride, and anger in an attempt to destroy us and our relationship with God. The Bible reminds us that our enemy, the thief in John 10:10 (ESV*), comes only to steal and kill and destroy. We need to recognize when we cooperate with the spirit of jealousy, call it out, and refuse to partner with it.

Recognize a Possible Spirit of Jealousy

We can ask ourselves:

  • Do we compare ourselves to others and believe we are lacking?
  • Do we believe our worth is dependent on someone or something?
  • Do we want an exclusive or overly possessive relationship with someone?
  • Do we believe we are missing something or someone in our life?

Feeling rejected early in life or having parents or teachers who favored others over us, criticized us, or expected more from us than others may set us up to be vulnerable to jealousy. We must ask the Lord how He sees us and if we have allowed jealousy into our lives. If we have, He can help us close that door.

Negative Consequences of Jealousy

  • Jealousy partners with fear.
  • Jealousy blocks us from hearing God’s truth.
  • Jealousy locks us in bitterness and resentment. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot (Proverbs 14:30).
  • Harboring jealousy breaks the tenth Commandment, which says we should not covet anything that is our neighbor’s.
  • Jealousy gives Satan an opening to wreak havoc in our lives when he sees we have resentment toward someone.
  • Jealousy can breed selfish and unhealthy possessiveness or a sense of entitlement.

Counteract a Spirit of Jealousy By:

  • praising the Lord with gratitude.
  • looking to the Lord as our provider instead of looking at what others have and comparing ourselves.
  • reading Psalms 144-150, which praise God to learn how to effectively pray and thank Him.
  • forgiving our offenders so we don’t leave an open door for the enemy to harass us and convince us our jealousy is justified.
  • reflecting on Bible verses that indicate God will provide for all our needs (Philippians 4;19; Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:5).
  • meditating on Scriptures that lead to knowing your spiritual identity (Ephesians 1:5; Colossians 3:1-3; 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 3: 1-2).

When I compare myself to others and erroneously believe I lack something, I forget my identity is in Christ. He has provided everything I need. Holding on to jealousy keeps me distant from the Lord, and I miss what He wants me to know about my God-given destiny and next steps. Instead, I need to ask the Lord how He sees me and others. I need His eyes and perspective.

When others are jealous of us, it can be hard not to take their negative comments personally. We may feel persecuted, slandered, and singled out. Others jealous of us may recognize Christ in us and are unaware their hatred is directed at the Lord, not us. We can pray for them and forgive them for mistreating us. We can find walking in victory scriptures to support us during these challenging times.

Can Anything Good Come from Jealousy?

R. T. Kendall suggested that when people are jealous of us, we can take it as a sign that the Lord is preparing us for something important in our future.2 Even though we may hurt for a while, our grief will turn into joy. When Joseph met his brothers many years after they sold him into slavery, he said to them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

We can take assurance God is working in our lives from Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

We Can Overcome a Spirit of Jealousy By:

T– Thanking the Lord and praising Him. First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

H– Having an open heart and mind to receive from God.

A- Asking the Lord to show us any areas of unforgiveness and jealousy or envy and then acknowledge them. Galatians 5:26 tells us not to become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

N– Nullifying the jealousy by saying that we no longer partner with it and asking for forgiveness for yielding to it.

K– Knowing God forgives us once we repent.

Before I share a prayer with you, I would love for you to have an opportunity to chime in. How have you dealt with jealousy?

Be sure to share your thoughts in our Facebook Group Healing Prayer Discussion.

We are all stronger when we learn from each other, so I look forward to your input.

Blessings,
Gena

1R. T. Kendall, Jealousy- The Sin No One Talks About (Lake FL: Charisma House, 2010), p. 40.

2R. T. Kendall, Jealousy- The Sin No One Talks About, p.104.

*All Scripture verses are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Prayer to Walk Victoriously 

Lord, I ask You to forgive me for yielding to the spirit of jealousy and not trusting You to provide all I need. Help me stop comparing myself to others. I ask You to show me how You see me and how You see others. I want to see myself and others through Your eyes. Remind me of my spiritual identity in You. I forgive all those who influenced me with the spirit of jealousy, including my ancestors. I choose to forgive ______, ______, ______, ______. Furthermore,  I renounce the negative influences of jealousy and break their power over my life, my family, and all future family in Jesus’s holy name. I receive Your blessings, Lord, and replace jealousy with __________________.

Note: Ask the Holy Spirit what He wants to give you in place of jealousy to complete the last blank in the prayer.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 20, 2023, and revamped for comprehensiveness on February 27, 2025.

In case you missed the rest of the Ancestral Influences Series, here is the link to the Archives:

https://simpleeffectiveprayer.com/category/healing-ancestral-wounds/