Jealousy is resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another’s success or advantage itself.
When you see others enjoying something perhaps you desire, or are also wanting to attain are you truly happy for that person?Do you speak highly of him/her?Or
Do you feel displeasure or indignation towards what that person is, has or has accomplished?
We cannot be jealous if we are not first comparing. Comparison is foolish and a waste of energy.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12
God also tells us not to covet.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17
Do you strive to win, equal or out-do anyone in your life?
I know that there was a time in my life where I viewed most people, especially women as my “rival” that I had to beat, equal or totally out-do in life. I look back on that time with sadness at the personal cost of such self-induced competition. I was never “free to be me” instead I was trapped in a warped way of thinking that imagined that everything was a competition. Who…Had better grades? Wore a smaller size? Had a cuter boyfriend? Made more money? Was the fastest runner? and then often measured my own worth based on where I determined I “ranked”. I thank God when I consider how far He has brought me out of this deceitful pit. Every now and then I catch a “crazy thought” go through my mind and surrender it to Christ.
When we are jealous of others we are resenting what they have, who they are or what they have achieved (sometimes all 3!) This is a certain way to “kill or slay” your own life, dreams and the purpose for which God has created you.
Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2
Instead, if we find ourselves jealous we need to:
1) Ask God to search our hearts and reveal to us the reason for our envy
Psalm 139:23
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
2) Pray and ask God to help us remove this “idol”
But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
3) Take every thought captive and surrender it to Christ
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
4) Renew our minds in His healing Word.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Does your heart need renewing in this area?
Written by Jamie Shaver