Is Jealousy Good Or Bad?

Romans 9: 30 – 10: 21

Is Jealousy good or bad?

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’?” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.” 20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” 21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands Israel Rejects the Gospel to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Is Jealousy Good or Bad?

When we think about jealousy we look at it as if it is a negative emotion or a bad habit we have.

The most common association that comes to mind is usually with revenge or anger. A typical example would be a romantic relationship were being jealous of your partner is a common perception. It can also be associated with the feeling of desperately wanting something someone else has.

It is proven with time that jealousy can lead to making bad decisions and regretting a certain type of unhealthy attitude. However, there is a way that the feeling of envy can be a good thing. The craving for something we do not possess can help us grow and improve ourselves. It can be the fuel we need to accomplish our goals and ambitions. So, can we use jealousy as a boost for our self-growth?

Being jealous is part of our initial instincts. It is a natural emotion which sadly often leads to self-destructive behavior. Envy can also be considered as a negative feeling which makes us blindly want things we can’t have. The thin line between jealousy and envy is that jealousy can also serve as motivation and provoke us to do something for ourselves. In fact, little amounts of jealousy can be beneficial to keeping a relationship together or even make us more considerable and careful with our actions towards others.