Overcoming Jealousy
The Urban Dictionary calls it the “green-eyed monster,” also known as envy, or jealousy. Jealousy has ruined relationships of every type. One young man is jealous of another because he runs faster or jumps higher. A young lady is jealous of another young lady because her hair is naturally fuller or because she’s taller. Even preachers are jealous of each other because one has a bigger congregation or more ministry success than the other.
The sin of jealousy has often been minimized and, unfortunately, it falls into the category of a “respectable sin.” After all, everyone is guilty at one time or another in their lives. However, the green-eyed monster can do very serious damage when it is given place in our hearts. Proverbs 14:30 says that envy is “the rottenness of the bones.”
In Proverbs 27:4, Solomon gives us a progression of attitude sins. Notice the progression. Level one: “Wrath is cruel.” Level two: “anger is outrageous.” But even compared to anger and wrath, consider level three. “Who is able to stand before envy?” Envy is red alert for sins of attitude. This is the deadly level.
Who is able to stand before jealousy? The obvious answer is that no one can harbor jealousy without it destroying him. Cain couldn’t do it. His jealousy motivated him to kill his brother Abel. Joseph’s brothers couldn’t stand before jealousy either. They hated their brother so much they sold him into slavery.
Who is able to stand before envy? The older brother of the prodigal son couldn’t. Luke 15 describes how, instead of rejoicing that his younger brother had returned and joining the celebration of dancing and feasting with everyone else, even when their father personally appealed to him, the older brother’s jealousy erupted in anger. His outburst revealed a stubborn, selfish, and entitled mentality. Solomon’s question was, “Who is able to stand before envy?” Again, the answer is no one—that is, not in their own flesh.
So, how do we overcome jealousy? First, we must understand its poisonous potential. Remember that jealousy always starts with comparison, and comparison is often dangerous. To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with seeing someone else’s success and being inspired to achieve success as well. But it is wrong to compare yourself to others and meditate on things you cannot change.
Comparison is dangerous because it often leads to sinful discontentment, and discontentment has the poisonous potential of making us question the way God bestows gifts. This was the situation with the worldly church at Corinth. The Corinthian Christians were jealous of each other’s spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 3:3 Paul says, “There is among you envying, and strife, and divisions.” The sinful envying in the church is what caused strife and divisions among the members. After correcting the Corinthians’ misunderstanding of spiritual gifts, Paul concludes Chapter 12 by stating that there is a “more excellent way” than comparison. That way is famously explained in 1 Corinthians 13.
To overcome jealousy, we must, second, apply the antidote. According to 1 Corinthians 13, the antidote to jealousy is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says that charity (or love) “envieth not.” Love is kryptonite to the green-eyed monster.
In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked to list the greatest commandment. There are two, Jesus said. Obeying the command starts with loving God. Part of loving God is being grateful for how He has gifted you. Remember that God is the one who gives talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts. Therefore, to be jealous of someone else is to accuse God of being unfair.
The second part of obeying the greatest command is to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” The enthusiasm you have for your own particular talent or gift is the way you should be thrilled for others who possess that same talent or gift. Love others as yourself. Learn to honor and applaud others. Learn to say, “Good job,” and mean it sincerely out of a heart of love. Where love for God and others reign supreme, there is no room for the wicked and dangerous sin of jealousy.
The next time you find yourself feeling jealous, ask God to give you a special love for that person who is the object of your jealousy. Also, take time to praise God for how He’s gifted you. If you’ll apply this biblical balm for overcoming jealousy, you’ll find yourself enjoying a stronger relationship with God and a stronger relationship with others.
The above article was written by James C. Johnson. He is the pastor of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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