I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.
—2 Corinthians 11:2
Jealousy can be deadly. It cost Cain his freedom, Joseph his brothers, and Jesus his life. When it infiltrates a church, it’s toxic: “Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil” (Jas 3:16).
Yet, there is a healthy jealousy. The first commandment of the Big Ten was, “You shall have no other gods before me . . . for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Ex 20:3, 5).
Paul told the Corinthians, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy . . . I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:2, 3). If you have leaders like that in your church, be grateful—they’re safeguarding your soul (Heb 13:17).
Human jealously is lethal.
Godly jealously is healthful.