Overcoming Jealousy

Jealousy is an insidious sin that cries out, "I want what you have, and furthermore, I don't want you to have it." It replaces contentment with resentment and spawns a myriad of other sins.

The Corinthians, in truth, were jealous of one another's spiritual gifts. First Corinthians 12:31 literally says, "You are earnestly desiring the showy gifts, but I show you a more excellent way." The word translated "earnestly desiring" is translated "jealous" in 1 Corinthians 13:4. It means "to boil" and speaks of the inner seething that comes from wanting something that someone else has. In 1 Corinthians 3:3 Paul rebukes them for the jealousy and strife that existed among them.

Paul knew what it meant to be victimized by jealous people. During one of his imprisonments he candidly wrote, "Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment" (Phil. 1:15-17).

Paul's attitude toward those who envied him was exemplary: "Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice" (v. 18). He wasn't motivated by personal comfort or selfish ambition. He loved Christ deeply and wanted as many people as possible to hear the gospel. As long as Christ was being proclaimed, Paul was happy—regardless of his own circumstances or the motives of others. That should be your perspective too.

Love is the antidote for jealousy. When godly love governs your heart, you can rejoice in the spiritual successes of others, even when you know their motives are wrong. But if you seek prominence and selfish gain, you become an easy target for jealousy and resentment.

Confess any jealousy you might be harboring toward others. Ask God to deepen your love for Christ so jealousy can't gain a foothold in your heart in the future. For Further Study

Jealousy is an insidious sin that cries out, "I want what you have, and furthermore, I don't want you to have it." It replaces contentment with resentment and spawns a myriad of other sins.

Yet God’s name is Jealous. Anyone care to put on their thinking cap and reconcile this?

Jealousy is not necessarily "I want what you have" which i think is more properly envy, that of craving what others have, whether pleasure, possessions, or prestige (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life: 1Jn. 2:16)) even if you have no done nothing to deserve such (as with the devil seeking God's position).

`This is often used interchangeably with jealousy, which can be feeling that what others give belongs to you or your interest instead of someone or something else (the coach was jealous for the devotion some of his players showed to paint ball).

In Scripture the word (zēlos) denotes passion, with the source and motive determining the morality of it,. and is used (KJV) for zeal, envying, indignation, emulations, envy, fervent, and jealousy, as in,

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2)

Here it is a selfless jealousy, earnestly wanting pure single-minded devotion to Christ.

Likewise, God, who needs nothing, and would spare Himself much grief if He did not have the unholy stench of our sins to put up with, a jealous for the devotion of man because worship of the only omnipotent perfect Being is right and best for man, while worshiping (making someone/something your supreme object of spiritual affection, allegiance and source of security) any created beings will lead you astray to varying degrees and ultimately fail you.

Contrary to the railings of atheists, God is not on an ego trip in requiring exclusive worship of Him. I do not think it would be heretical to even say that if worshiping another being besides God would be right and in the best interest of man then God would sanction it. But it is not and He does not, and worship of God in heart and in deed is what man is created to do and is the only means of real life and liberty,. thanks be to God. Now to do so better.

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