Women should love one another; not treat each other as opponents. Some women have contempt for other women. Some women will go to bed with another woman’s man. One dirty trick is for a woman to “befriend” a woman to get close to her man and see how far she can get with him.

There is often gossiping, petty competition, backstabbing, rivalry and more. These issues transcend age. For some reason, this problem is one that some women don’t seem to outgrow. It is also a very common problem.

“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” – James 3: 16.

Ugh. I see hate, envy, and malicious competition between women- both inside and outside of the church. It is very unfortunate. God calls us to higher standards.

We are to love one another. Here is why:

1) God commands us to.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” –Matthew 22: 37-39.

2) Women have it hard enough in this world without being hated on by other women.

A woman doesn’t need to deal with hate from other women. She is often already dealing with gender discrimination, harassment, objectification, toxic relationships, low self esteem, etc.

3) Many girls and women are lonely and feel left out.

Some women go out of their way to make other women feel shunned and excluded. Just as we would appreciate someone being a friend to us, we should also be a friend to another.

4) When we love one another, we are blessing one another and building a support system.

This is necessary. The greatest friend we can have is in Jesus. Spouses should also be best friends. That may or may not happen. Women still need woman to woman time, regardless. This is healthy and bonding for women.

5) Women are able to relate to one another in a different and unique way.

I don’t think there is a man out there who wants to be talked to or treated like they are a girl friend. It is good for a woman to have an outlet for her feminine energy, to bond and connect with other feminine energy.

6) Growth. Women are able to learn from one another.

Whether it be learning from one another’s experiences and mistakes, having other trusted ears for listening, or simply receiving wisdom, advice, and encouragement- godly friendships can help women to advance in life. Women can grow spiritually, emotionally and otherwise.

Part of loving each other is wanting the best for one another. Loving each other entails truly being happy for other’s happiness. Yet, envy commonly abounds. Envy is something anyone can be tempted with, but it needs to be put far away.

Envy is destructive to our relationship with God, destructive to our relationships with others, and can rob someone of their own joy and peace.

“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” Proverbs 14: 30.