The Word Of God on Jealousy!
Jealousy is one of the most common emotions, but we often fail to see how it can also be one of the most dangerous. We’re jealous of those who have better houses, nicer cars, more vacation time, more attractive spouses, happier families, more talents. Jealousy is an emotion of passion, and jealousy uncontrolled leads to passionate hate. If allowed to go that far, it can drive an inflamed person to kill, as Cain killed Abel. Short of that, families have been broken, businesses poisoned, relationships destroyed through jealousy.
WHY IS OUR JEALOUSY SO DANGEROUS?
Proverbs 14:30 . . . A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away.
Jealousy brings decay to our lives because it causes us to focus on anger and bitterness.
Proverbs 27:4 . . . Anger is cruel . . . but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy?
Genesis 13:7 . . . An argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot.
Jealousy tears families and friends apart. Jealousy drove Lot’s herdsmen to fight with his uncle Abram’s herdsmen.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS “A JEALOUS GOD”?
Exodus 34:14 . . . You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.
Deuteronomy 5:9 . . . I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god!
Deuteronomy 32:21 . . . They have roused my jealousy by worshiping non-gods.
Zechariah 1:14 . . . This is what the Lord Almighty says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.
When people give their honor, praise, and love to other things, God is jealous that the honor due him has been squandered elsewhere. Because God deserves all our honor, praise, and love, this is an honest recognition of what he deserves.
WHERE DOES JEALOUSY TAKE US? WHAT CAN HAPPEN NEXT?
Proverbs 12:12 . . . Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, while the godly bear their own fruit.
Thieves steal from others in response to their jealousy and lust for someone else’s money. Generous people, on the other hand, love to give and that becomes their driving force in life.
Genesis 4:4-8 . . . The Lord accepted Abel’s offering, but he did not accept Cain’s. This made Cain very angry.
Acts 17:5-6 . . . The Jewish leaders were jealous, so they gathered some worthless fellows from the streets to form a mob . . . They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas . . . Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason.
Jealousy for attention or affection can drive a person to extreme action, even seeking to harm or kill others.
Galatians 5:22-26 . . . When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us.
When we seek the character traits that come from the Holy Spirit, we are spared from petty human jealousy and the hard feelings that come from the competition for honor and popularity.
NOTICE THE PROGRESSION OF JEALOUSY IN THE LIFE OF KING SAUL.
1 Samuel 18:7-8 . . . This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” This made Saul very angry.
Saul suddenly became afraid David might replace him.
1 Samuel 18:9-10 . . . From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David . . . A tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul.
Saul was tormented by a jealous spirit.
1 Samuel 18:10-11 . . . Saul, who had a spear in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David.
Saul’s jealousy led him to uncontrolled rage.
1 Samuel 18:12 . . . Saul was afraid of him.
Jealousy brought great fear to Saul. The selfish pursuit of harming David became Saul’s lifelong passion.
PROMISE FROM GOD:
Mark 11:24-25 . . . Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.
Taken from iLumina's Life Application Article
WHY IS OUR JEALOUSY SO DANGEROUS?
Proverbs 14:30 . . . A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away.
Jealousy brings decay to our lives because it causes us to focus on anger and bitterness.
Proverbs 27:4 . . . Anger is cruel . . . but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy?
Genesis 13:7 . . . An argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot.
Jealousy tears families and friends apart. Jealousy drove Lot’s herdsmen to fight with his uncle Abram’s herdsmen.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS “A JEALOUS GOD”?
Exodus 34:14 . . . You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.
Deuteronomy 5:9 . . . I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god!
Deuteronomy 32:21 . . . They have roused my jealousy by worshiping non-gods.
Zechariah 1:14 . . . This is what the Lord Almighty says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.
When people give their honor, praise, and love to other things, God is jealous that the honor due him has been squandered elsewhere. Because God deserves all our honor, praise, and love, this is an honest recognition of what he deserves.
WHERE DOES JEALOUSY TAKE US? WHAT CAN HAPPEN NEXT?
Proverbs 12:12 . . . Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, while the godly bear their own fruit.
Thieves steal from others in response to their jealousy and lust for someone else’s money. Generous people, on the other hand, love to give and that becomes their driving force in life.
Genesis 4:4-8 . . . The Lord accepted Abel’s offering, but he did not accept Cain’s. This made Cain very angry.
Acts 17:5-6 . . . The Jewish leaders were jealous, so they gathered some worthless fellows from the streets to form a mob . . . They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas . . . Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason.
Jealousy for attention or affection can drive a person to extreme action, even seeking to harm or kill others.
Galatians 5:22-26 . . . When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us.
When we seek the character traits that come from the Holy Spirit, we are spared from petty human jealousy and the hard feelings that come from the competition for honor and popularity.
NOTICE THE PROGRESSION OF JEALOUSY IN THE LIFE OF KING SAUL.
1 Samuel 18:7-8 . . . This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” This made Saul very angry.
Saul suddenly became afraid David might replace him.
1 Samuel 18:9-10 . . . From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David . . . A tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul.
Saul was tormented by a jealous spirit.
1 Samuel 18:10-11 . . . Saul, who had a spear in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David.
Saul’s jealousy led him to uncontrolled rage.
1 Samuel 18:12 . . . Saul was afraid of him.
Jealousy brought great fear to Saul. The selfish pursuit of harming David became Saul’s lifelong passion.
PROMISE FROM GOD:
Mark 11:24-25 . . . Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.
Taken from iLumina's Life Application Article
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