What does it mean to have bitter envy (James 3:14)?

In James 3:13–18, the Bible challenges us as believers to demonstrate genuine, godly “wisdom that comes from heaven” (verse 17) in how we live and behave. James mentions another kind of wisdom, which is false, worldly wisdom: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (verse 14). Worldly wisdom produces bitter envy, selfish ambition, “disorder and every evil practice” (verse 16). But God’s pure wisdom is “peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (verse 17).

The word translated as “bitter” in James 3:14 is pikron in the original Greek. This adjective expresses a hostile, acrid, malignant kind of jealousy that comes from and exhibits extreme animosity. The noun “envy” (zēlon in Greek) is also translated as “jealousy.” It refers to a greedy or prideful longing for something that belongs to another, even something intangible, such as a skill. Bitter envy can also be understood as “fanatical, zealous jealousy” that fiercely desires to promote one’s opinion or position to the exclusion of all others.

The Sadducees were filled with bitter envy when their religious ideas were challenged (see Acts 5:17; 13:45). However, zealous envy is not always portrayed negatively in Scripture. Jesus displayed the same passion for God’s house when He chased the moneychangers from the temple (John 2:17; see also Romans 10:2; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 9:2; 11:2).

James insists that a believer’s life and behavior are a litmus test: “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13, NLT). If a Christian holds bitter envy and selfish ambition in the heart, in essence, he is living a lie contrary to the wisdom of God.

True wisdom from God flows from a place of humility. It seeks to magnify and glorify the Lord alone (1 Corinthians 1:17–31). It does not seek self-promotion. It rejoices when a brother or sister in Christ succeeds and graciously strives to live in harmony with others (see Romans 12:15–16; Philippians 2:3). On the other hand, worldly wisdom is based on the carnal need to exalt oneself. It secretly envies and critiques others. It causes a person to boast, deny the truth, and harbor bitter envy in his heart.

When earthly wisdom seeps into the church, it can manifest as selfish, flesh-driven promotion and a desire for personal gain and glorification. An excellent analogy for bitter envy in the body of Christ is sibling rivalry. A person who harbors bitter envy may see himself as zealous for the truth, but, in reality, he is bitter, angry, and full of personal pride. God and others around him can see how far he is from the truth. Bitter envy breeds contention, destroys unity, and brings disorder to the church (see 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20).

Bitter envy arises from sin in the heart (Mark 7:21–23). It is profoundly destructive: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30; see also Job 5:2; Proverbs 27:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5–6). The Bible calls Christians to examine their hearts to see if they are pure and to test their actions to see if they are in the faith, living according to God’s wisdom (2 Corinthians 13:5; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:28; Galatians 6:4). We must get rid of fleshly sins such as hatred, jealousy, envy, discord, and selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19–21; Romans 13:13) and “always be zealous for the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 23:17). If we don’t, these sins will lead to our downfall (Psalm 37:1–2).

God’s love “does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). When God saves us, He gives us new life through the Holy Spirit, freeing us from lives “full of evil and envy” (Titus 3:3–5).