Jealous?Get Help From God

 

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Think of a bag of rotten bones. Not too many of us may have seen those but all of us have seen rotten garbage. It is putrid. 

Peace is what you and I need to strive for not when it comes to jealousy but all things bothering you. Proverbs 17:22 calls a peaceful spirit like good medicine. Yes good medicine indeed for your whole being. 

Jealousy is earthly and not a fruit of the Spirit. It is sometimes caused by Facebook comparing, feelings which are not from God. When you start to be jealous start praising God and writing a list of thanks. Now go have a blessed day. 

PRAYER: Father God thanks for all opportunities in life. Help me not succumb to being jealous of another but be grateful for what I have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

LOVE DOES NOT ENVY OTHERS

When you love someone you are happy for them and rejoice with them when good things happen in their life. You are not jealous of them if they get ahead, are honored, lose lots of weight , publish a book, get promoted, are voted queen, or win a race. It is tempting to feel envious of people who are succeeding when you may not be. God has a plan and purpose for everyone's life. Are you able to praise a friend who has had something good happen to them or do you get jealous?

Lately in the US government there is a move afoot to make people "without" envy those who “have“. They are calling it "income inequality". All this attempts to do is divide the classes of people and create envy. The more people hear this they start wanting other peoples things and their money, even if they did not work to earn it.

The Bible tells us in Exodus 20:17(NIV) that '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." That is simply put and easily understood. Be glad for what you have and thank the Lord for it. If you are reading this in the United States of America, no matter what your income level, you are rich compared to the rest of the world. It is time to rejoice and be glad and not glorify Satan by complaining and being jealous of others.

PRAYER: I am indeed grateful for the material blessings I have in my life Lord. Every time I start to want more or feel envy help me stop and thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

REJOICE OR ENVY?

When a friend of yours does something special such as receiving recognition or they get a promotion at work or are named president or leader of some group, is your first reaction envy or do you rejoice for them? Perhaps you compare yourself and start feeling inadequate. Maybe your jealously is so strong it is difficult to wish them well. Everyone has a different purpose in life. God does not want us looking at others with jealously or resentment. If you feel that way try stopping what you are doing and pray to ask God to strip away any negative wrong emotions you may be harboring.

Satan is the master of mind manipulation trying to come in and get you thinking all sorts of wrong stuff. You may worry, compare, criticize, or just have bad thoughts. Are bad thoughts from our heavenly Father? The answer of course is NO.

So what do we do to combat this? The first thing is to keep yourself grounded in the word of God. Maybe put some nice praise and worship music on in your home or while diving in your car. Try to keep the attitude positive.

Romans 12:15(NLT) says 'Be happy with those who are happy and weep with those who weep.' James 3:14-16(ESV) further says 'But if you have bitter jealously and selfish ambition in your hearts do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealously and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.' Those verses sort of say it all. Rejoice and be glad for others and be thankful for where God has you in life.

PRAYER: Lord help me to be happy for others successes and not be envious or upset. You have given me gifts and abilities and for that I say thank you. Help me to truly rejoice with others over their achievements. Take away any envy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE JEALOUSY MONSTER

 Jealousy and envy of others is an infection in society. The Bible tells us  in Romans 12:15 to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep" yet how many people can rejoice when someone gets a position they are envious of? This past week at the Olympics I was very disheartened by two American runners who were envious of one of their teammate who did not even medal but who was getting all the press attention. I found it very sad they would react this way. Why not just let it go?

Are you ever jealous of the success of others? Actually God has given each person gifts and talents and if you are in the position and have one the world looks up to stay humble. There is nothing worse than people arrogantly tooting their own horn.

Lately in these United States there has been lots of class warfare tactics going on trying to get the poor and middle class people jealous of those who have wealth. First of all everyone can achieve greatness and money if they work hard. People who have worked hard should not be forced because of jealously to give their money away to help those not working or who choose not to work. But unfortunately this has been a tactic this past couple years by our government. The Bible clearly states in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that "If a man does not work he should not eat." People who depend on others to take care of them become lazy and think everyone owes them everything. This is wrong.  Remember what the late President John F Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country." Basically though I am not saying do not donate food to shelters and things like that, but am saying the government should back off when it comes to trying to seaprate the classes of people.

We are told in the Ten Commandments found in Exodus Chapter 20 to "not covet your neighbors home, his wife, his possessions" yet how many see a huge home and wish they had it not knowing if those that own them really can even afford it? Or say your friend gets a boat or fancy new car and you envy them. In Hebrews 13:5 it reminds us to be "Content with what we have." Are you content? Remember we are all going to die one day and the saying goes "I have never seen a U Haul at a funeral."

In Proverbs 23:5 it says "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." James 4:1 says "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" Once again be happy for others and be thankful.

The Bible is full of stories of jealousy such as Cain and Able, Joseph and his brothers, and Jacob and Esau to name a view. Jealousy causes bitterness, anger, hate, stealing, murder, lying and is not what God desires.

Are you able to share the joy when another prospers or succeeds? If not ask God to heal that area of your heart that is not of him and learn to rejoice and be glad.

PRAYER: Father thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for my gifts and abilities. Help me not to compare myself to others and become discontent or angry. Forgive me when I have not praised someone who deserved it. Help me learn Lord to be more like you in all areas of my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

ENVY. STOP IT NOW!!!

ENVY. STOP IT NOW!

There are lots of talks these days about people not feeling they are getting their fair shake and  being jealous of corporations, those who receive bonuses, and millionaires. Envy is wrong. It is right there in God's word we are not to be jealous and desirous of other people's things. Today in America there are a bunch of folks protesting in various cities in the US mad at what they call 'greedy corporations' and millionaires. Everyone has a fair chance in America to become wealthy. We are very blessed to be able to live in a country where we can work hard and be rewarded without our wealth and property being confiscated by a tyrannical government. Wealth in and of itself is not wrong. It is the love of money which is wrong. It amazes me how this 'class warfare' is going on in America at these protests today.
 
Each and every individual who has a dream and works hard can achieve success. There have been some of the poorest people who have risen from the ashes, so to speak, to build up huge companies and have become a success story. America is made up of things like this. It is a shame there are a few loud protesters out there jealous of others' prosperity and yelling loudly 'take it away', 'give it to me'.
 
In the Old Testament Exodus 20:17 warns us "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's."  Psalm 119:36 says "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness." To covet means to want what someone else has. If you want something why not do it the old fashioned way and work and save? We all have that chance and ability. Not everyone has just inherited their wealth but most have worked extremely hard, gone to school, made sacrifices to achieve their American Dream and it is not right for the government to tell them they do not deserve to keep it. That sounds totally un American in my humble opinion. That does not sound like freedom to me when the wealth of hard workers is being threatened by an abusive government.
 
Proverbs 27:4 says "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" Proverbs 14:30 says "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." Acts 7:9 recalls the story of Joseph being sold by his brothers when it says "And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him." Envy is absolute hatred of others and what they have. When I saw these protesters sitting there screaming,even here locally in Huntsville this past Saturday,  I thought to myself, 'why aren't they out looking for a job instead of camping out in a park for a month(such as in NYC) leaving litter and such behind?' They want wealth, then get up and be proactive and go search for a job or get a loan and go to school to make life better for yourself. Do not sit around whining about others having more than you.
 
Colossians 3:5 says "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry)"  The flesh which is controlled by lusts put there by the enemy, Satan, conjures up things in peoples heads to make them dissatisfied and jealous of others with more than they have. Just because one person has more than you does not mean you take it away from them because it is not fair! Ephesians 5:3 says "For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints."
 
People are often envious of doctors who made good salaries but those doctors studied hard, passed numerous tests, got school loans, sacrificed and were able to achieve this dream by hard work. It was not dropped in their lap. Others go to school for other careers which give them a lucrative reward for their hard work. Do not be jealous but go out and find what you can do to make yourself a success.
 
Now those that have wealth also know it can be gone in an instant too so we are not to place our  hope in riches but in God. Luke 12:15 says "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses." When you have been blessed with allot remember those in need to share what you have. The government does not need to come force you to give it. That should be in the heart of man.
 
Be grateful for what you have as we truly are blessed beyond compare in America. Do not sit around envying someones' house, car, or job but do what you can to be content with what you have and if there is a dream you have go for it, no matter what your age.
 
PRAYER: Lord thank you for the ability to have success. Thank you for blessing me. Help me to be content with what I have and never be envying the possessions or positions of others. In Jesus Name. Amen.