Vision 2020Sample

Day 20

Guarding Against Jealousy

Proverbs 27:4 (NLT) Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy?

James 3:15 (NLT) For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

One of the most destructive forces in people’s lives is jealousy.  Think about some of the folks in the Bible who were damaged or destroyed by it.  Here are a few examples:

• Cain killed Abel partly because of jealousy.  (Genesis 4:3-8)
• Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because of jealousy.  (Genesis 37:11)
• Korah, Dathan and Abiram were put to death because of their jealously toward Moses and the impact this spiritual poison had on God’s people.  (Numbers 16)

Think about all the emotional energy that is expended, all the hatred that is spawned and all the relationships that are ripped apart because of the demonic spirit of jealousy. Think about the sibling rivalries, the office politics, the hidden envy that breed distance between people, and the inner turmoil and pain jealousy causes us. It is a high price to pay for something that brings nothing but negativity and destruction into our lives.

Over the years I have watched jealousy ruin some potentially great people by turning them into small-minded, unproductive, bitter people. I have watched disorder and evil spring up in families, businesses, friendships, and even churches, all because someone gave a place in their heart to the demonic spirit of jealousy.

The bad news is: All of us are vulnerable to this spirit. The good news is: God can help us avoid and overcome it.

Here are some things that will help us steer clear of jealousy, or clean it out if we have already been infected by it:

• Own up to it and confess it to God as sin.  Don't justify it.
• Stop comparing yourself and your circumstances with others.  Comparisons always deceive us.  Things look better, fairer, greater for others than for us.  When we are in a comparison mode, we, more often than not, end up feeling sorry for ourselves. Remember, "the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence!"
• Begin practicing gratitude.  One of the greatest antidotes for the poison of jealousy is to purposefully count our blessings and openly express our gratitude to God and others for them.
• Do good to those you are feeling jealous toward.  Force yourself to do and say nice things to them.  You will be amazed at how these actions will counter-attack jealousy in your heart.
• Stay alert to signs of jealousy in your heart.  Jealousy is very subtle.  When we observe distance in our relationships, disorder in our interactions and anger in our hearts it is a good reminder to find out what's behind these reactions.  One possibility is jealousy.

Make it a priority in your spiritual growth to identify jealousy patterns in your life. Prayerfully ask God to help you overcome those patterns. Let’s ask God to help us live a jealous-free life!