Jealousy

Jealousy is a very strong issue we deal with on a daily basis if we are honest with ourselves,  someone gets promoted over us, someone gets a new car before us or a newer car, our friends get married before us, the list goes on.

What is jealousy? It is coveting, desire, envy.
Psychology Today define jealousy as——“Jealousy is a complex emotion that encompasses many different kinds of feelings that range from fear of abandonment to rage to humiliation. Jealousy can strike both men and women when they perceive a third-party threat to a valued relationship, it can be a problem among siblings competing for parental attention, or envy for a wealthier more successful friend. Conventional wisdom holds that jealousy is a necessary emotion because it preserves social bonds. But jealously usually does more harm than good to relationships, and can create relationship conflict and violence”

Jealousy is a dividing force strong enough to tear apart the mightiest of nations or the closest of friends. When you find yourself becoming jealous of others, try thanking God for their good fortune. Before striking out in anger, consider what you could lose (a friend, a job, a spouse?).

Human jealousy can destroy relationships. Saul’s appreciation for David turned to jealousy as people began to applaud David’s exploits. In a jealous rage, Saul attempted to murder David by hurling his spear at him (I Samuel 18:11-12).

Jealousy may not seem to be a major sin, but in reality, it is one step short of murder. Jealousy starts as you resent a rival; it leads to your wishing he or she were removed; then it manifests itself in your seeking ways to harm that person in word or action. Beware of letting jealousy get a foothold in your life.

Love is the best weapon against jealousy. Saul tried to kill David because he was jealous of David’s popularity, yet David continued to protect and comfort Saul. Perhaps people have been jealous of you and have even attacked you in some way. They may be intimidated by your strengths, which make them conscious of their own shortcomings. It would be natural to strike back or to avoid them. A better response is to befriend them (Matt 5:43-44) and to ask God for the strength to continue to love them, as David kept on loving Saul.

We should be decent and true in everything we do. Don’t participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy. But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don’t think of ways to indulge your evil desires. (Rom 13:13-14)

Just as hatred leads to murder, so jealousy leads to strife and lust to adultery. When Christ returns, he wants to find his people clean on the inside as well as on the outside.

Becoming like Christ is the answer to the problem of human jealousy.