Let's talk about the ugly j word, jealousy shall we? Jealousy is a sneaky little thing that goes unnoticed a lot of times, it's doesn't even present as itself. Oftentimes it presents as bitterness or discontent. When we let jealousy run wild, it can open the door to a whole host of other negative things.
Let's look at the story of the prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32, long story short the son left home, messed up bad, came home, and dad threw a party celebrating his return. The other brother, the one that stayed complained in verse 28 -30:
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
The other son was jealous. Jealous because the father never recognized or celebrated him for doing the right thing yet his mistake making brother gets all the praise.
At first glance it seems like we have NOTHING in common, but when we look closer we certainly do.
Have you ever wondered why someone at work or school got more praise than you when you did something similar? Maybe you both did the same thing and only one person got praise. Maybe you look on Instagram and wonder why someone gets so many likes on their photo. Maybe you see someone with their nice car and nice spouse and nice things, and you can't help but wonder why not you? You KNOW you're a good person, are the wicked truly being rewarded?
The enemy can use our fallible, prideful human hearts and make them prone to jealousy.
Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
When we become jealous, we are making worldly things our treasures, not the things of God. We need to be able to recognize jealousy, (envy and greed are its brothers) and stamp it out!
James 3:16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice
Proverbs 14:30
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot
1 Corinthians 3:3
For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
Let us choose joy over jealousy. Let us choose to be humble. Let us be happy for those being praised, let us congratulate those who receive recognition even when we deserve it as well, let us give thanks that our neighbor does have many nice things. Let us be thankful that we did not get praised, as it may have inflated our pride, which is dangerous. Pride is what led Satan to fall. It is nice to receive praise but don't go searching for it. Let it come unexpectedly and try to stay humble. Let's be honest, those of us prone to jealousy are often prone to having large egos and pride issues. I admit I am! I always have to "do it myself." I always wish to receive that "good job" from people when really I should be focused on letting God handle that.
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Ephesians 4:2
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Aren't these kind of repetitive? He's trying to hammer it in! God knew we would experience envy, He put it in the Ten Commandments! (See Exodus 20:17). When you feel it grip your heart, immediately stop and ask God to remove it from you, and choose to replace it with a positive and grateful thought. It will be a lifelong battle for most of us.
Choose Joy. Choose Humility.
***
Welcome to 2020 everyone! May your year be blessed!
Does anyone on here make New Years resolutions? Mine is just to graduate this year. So close!
YOU ARE READING
Volume 2
Spiritüel*completed* Here we go with round 2...me writing down my personal revelations and "aha!" moments to help encourage and hopefully help or uplift you. All comments, questions, prayer requests, topic suggestions, and constructive criticism are welcome!
