Some Characteristics of Envy, Jealousy, Covetousness, and Greed.

When we allow envy, jealousy, covetousness, and greed to control our thoughts and actions, we are actively going against what the Bible teaches us. There are specific commands in Scripture that we must obey if we want to live in a pleasing way to God.

One of these commands can be found in Ephesians 4:29, where we are told to speak only words that are good and helpful for building others up. This means we should never belittle others or talk about them demeaningly, even if (or especially) we feel jealous of their accomplishments or abilities.

Likewise, Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus our thoughts on things that are true, noble, correct, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This means that we should not dwell on negative thoughts about others' jealousy or question their motives or character.

James 3:5-18 and 4:11 also warn us against speaking evil against others and judging them unfairly. We are called to be humble and not to boast about our accomplishments or possessions, nor should we be quick to judge others for their material goods.

Ultimately, when we allow envy, jealousy, covetousness, and greed to take hold of our hearts, we reject God's plan for our lives and disregard His commands. By aligning ourselves with the teachings of Scripture, we can become agents of love, compassion, and hope in a world that desperately needs them.