The Price Of Jealousy

Read: 1 Samuel 18: 5-16

“…And Saul [jealousy] eyed David from that day forward…” (V: 9)

Jealousy has a price, as we see in the story of Saul & David. Saul was forever pursuing David to kill him. He was obsessed with David. It reminds me of the ‘snow white’ story, where the wicked Queen was obsessed> with getting rid of snow white because of her jealousy toward her.

If we let jealousy take root, the outcome can be tragic. Not in the sense of us desiring to go out and murder the person, but in other ways it can bring death to friendships, and a stumbling block in our walk with the Lord – because how can we truly ‘love’ our brother or sister in the Lord when we harbour jealousy toward them? It can come to any one of us at anytime. We need to recognize it for what it is and not to entertain thoughts of jealousy. If we feel we are starting to have jealous thoughts, I find the best way to send it packing is to actually encourage that person in the thing that we may be jealous of. Example: if we feel we are becoming jealous of someone’s ministry, gifting or talent – what we desire to have or to be doing – we could encourage them in that very thing. It’s hard to do initially, but once you start it becomes easier. I find we have to ‘actively’ do something about it so it doesn’t take root.

Like in this story, God can’t use effectively someone who has allowed jealousy to take root. It will destroy any ministry they may have, because jealousy will always rear its ugly head. It becomes all-consuming.

Don’t let jealousy be the reason for divisions. Each of us as individuals are so special to the Lord – and we all have a purpose in life, and a part to play.

By M.S.Lowndes

For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?

1 Corinthians 3:3 (Amp)

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