The same world that says pride is a virtue also says jealousy is a vice. And most of the religious world has fallen for both lies.
Get a Bible concordance and look up the words "jealous" and "jealousy". You'll see that jealousy is very much a good thing.
God says repeatedly, "I am a jealous God." He does not want us chasing after other gods, because he knows they are not good for us. He will be angry with us if we are unfaithful; but he will be even more angry with anyone who tries to lure us away from him. All of this is an expression of his love.
It is the kind of love that a husband should have for his wife. He should be faithful himself, but he should also expect his wife to be faithful. And woe to any who try to come between a man and his wife! (Proverbs 6:32-35) "What God has joined together in marriage, let no man put asunder." (Mark 10:9)
Because our relationship with God is more sacred than that with our husband or wife, God has the right to even be jealous of our spouses. (Luke 14:26, 1 Corinthians 7:29)
But some religious leaders have put themselves in God's place, by demanding that married couples give first loyalty to them. Where this occurs, jealous husbands are condemned for being jealous. For various reasons (fear, pride, greed) the husbands often give in to these marriage-breakers who are posing as God. They should not.
Some Bible translations use the word "jealousy" in place of "envy". The two are really quite different. Envy is a form of covetousness (wanting what does not belong to you).
If a religious leader envies a wife's loyalty to her husband, and then tries to claim it for himself, it is wrong. A wife owes this loyalty to her husband (as her leader, provider, and protector).
Husbands should do everything in their power to take their wives away from marriage-breakers. Try to do it gently, but do not be afraid to make demands as well. In the end, your wife will come to appreciate the security that comes from knowing she is loved by a jealous husband.
(See also Accountability.)
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