Envy and jealousy are often used interchangeably, but these terms are very different. Both can be used to describe a "covetous" state of the will, but this is where the synonymity ends.
To covet is to desire - this is not in itself evil - "but," you might say, "isn't covetousness everywhere condemned as evil?" It may appear so, but in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he tells them to "covet earnestly the best gifts." (12:31)
What is the difference, then?
Envy is the coveting of those things that are not rightfully one's own, resulting in ill will and discontent. True love never envies.
Jealousy, though, cannot be morally wrong, for the very reason that God Himself is a Jealous God. So what is jealousy? It is the coveting of those things that are rightfully one's own, resulting in righteous anger at the injustice that is done by someone else taking it away.
Does this give us an excuse to be angry with others? I would argue that, in most circumstances, the answer is NO; because usually we are too shortsighted to see the consequences of our anger. Jealous actions must always be consistent with love, because love is the root of jealousy.
However, there is a place for anger, because Paul admonishes us to "be angry, and sin not," but this anger must result not from injury to our person, but from true, godly love - and our actions must always be consistent with love: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (I Corinthians 13:4-7).
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