“For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one” (Job 5:2).
I remember the story of a group of young friends who used to go out to minister to people. While ministering, they would lay hands on people and those they ministered to would fall under the power. One of them however had a peculiar way of laying hands on people that put off some of his friends, they actually thought he pushed the people.
Not long afterwards, they all went out again to minister and the unhappy friends observed that when they laid hands on people, no one fell under the power anymore. Meanwhile, their friend was having more and more results and people were getting healed.
So, one day, the Spirit of God spoke to one of them and said, “Never again criticize something you want.” Very quickly they repented and the story changed.
Jealousy is an ugly spirit that criticizes and never sees the good done by others. This ugly attitude was what moved Saul to try to kill David after David killed Goliath: “And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall….” (1 Samuel 19:10). Saul was jealous of David’s success.
Jealousy comes when one is desirous of another’s advantages. If you walk in love, you’ll never be jealous of anyone because you know you couldn’t ever be disadvantaged in any way. You’d always find yourself encouraging others because you know that God’s desire is for them to prosper. Thus, instead of being threatened by their prosperity, you’ll be happy for them because you see them only through God’s eyes of love.
Prayer
Dear father, I thank you for the assurance I have in your love for me. I have no reason to be jealous of anyone because your love for me is greater than life. I demonstrate your life to others and rejoice with them as they make progress, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Further Study
Proverbs 14:30
Romans 12:15
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
