Is Jealousy the worst of all sins?
Consider the following:
1. Jealousy causes married folk to split up and run off with other people.
2. Jealousy causes people to steal.
3. Jealousy caused Cain to kill Abel.
4. Jealousy causes some to sow discord in the church - leading to church splits, backsliders, and unhealthy competition between pastors and saints.
5. Jealousy causes financial hardships. We take on too much debt in order to "keep up with the Jones'.
Solomon says, "Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" (
Proverbs 27:4). The Apostle Paul writes, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry, and witchcraft, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like." (
Galatians 5:19-21a)
A list of sins from the proverbs of the prophet Solomon contains things that go hand in hand with jealousy. It says, "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stir up dissension among brothers." (
Proverbs 6:16-19)
In short, jealousy is the product of a person who feels they are superior to their fellow man, and to God. It is the pinnacle of self-centeredness.
Jealousy is what caused lucifer to declare "I will ascend".
Jealousy is the root cause of a host of other sins.
So, what do you think? Is jealousy the worst of all sins?