THE POISON OF JEALOUSY: RECOGNIZING AND PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM ITS HARM

Jealousy, often rooted in envy of another’s possessions or success, is one of the most common causes of hatred. Many victims of jealousy are caught off guard, unknowingly falling into a vicious cycle of intense animosity. They may even mistakenly believe that their so-called enemies—often strangers to them—are acting in their favour, unaware that they are being trapped in harmful schemes.

A defining trait of jealous individuals is their perpetual dissatisfaction with their own possessions, no matter how abundant they may be. They covet what others have achieved without making the necessary effort to attain similar success themselves. Driven by this insatiable desire, they may go to great lengths—even resorting to unethical or harmful actions—to dispossess their targets and satisfy their envy.

Jealousy is often easy to detect, as those who harbor it tend to reveal their feelings, sometimes unintentionally. They are rarely pleased by the accomplishments or actions of their perceived rivals, no matter how reasonable or justified those actions may be. Much like Judas Iscariot from the Bible, they constantly seek opportunities to betray and undermine their targets, indifferent to the damage they cause.

Jealous individuals are found in every aspect of life: workplaces, homes, businesses, religious communities, and most notably, political arenas. However, the most dangerous jealousies often arise within families, especially in matrilineal societies.

Consider a family with six children, excluding the parents. If the eldest child achieves greater material success than the others, the less successful siblings may blame that success for their own shortcomings. This phenomenon is particularly common in less developed countries where education and exposure to broader life experiences are limited. Instead of celebrating and supporting their successful sibling, some may resort to harmful practices such as witchcraft or black magic in an attempt to bring them down. This is a tragic betrayal of family bonds.

How can victims of jealousy protect themselves? The first and most effective step is to distance themselves from jealous individuals—avoid them as one would avoid a contagious disease. Sever communication for at least three months, allowing time for the jealous parties to reflect and possibly abandon their harmful intentions. This approach is similar to psychological advice given to those with quick tempers: pause and count to 100 before reacting. If the situation does not improve after this period, extend the separation for another three months.

If these efforts fail, the best course of action is to treat the jealous individuals as outcasts. After all, as the biblical proverb Amos 3:3 states, “Two cannot walk together unless they are agreed.” Protecting yourself from jealousy means recognizing it early, setting firm boundaries, and refusing to allow toxic relationships to undermine your peace and progress.