What’s the point of serving if I never get promoted? Why has he got his breakthrough when he hardly comes to church? Why has she got her miracle when she barely know the Bible? What is the point of praying when I am never the one celebrating? It is not fair!
These are the type of painful injustices we feel when we compare ourselves with others. The sad irony is that while we compare our walk with someone else’s and wish we had what they have got, our breakthrough can be delayed.
The spiritual root
The tenth commandment warns us not to look over our shoulder and crave what God has done for someone else: “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house, you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.” Exodus 20:17.
If we look at something that belongs to someone else and want it for ourselves, that is covetousness. If I want their position, their promotion, their blessing, their job, their success or their house, I am breaking the tenth commandment.
The Bible says that the law of love fulfils all the Old Covenant commandments. If I love my neighbour as much as I love myself, then I will be as happy when they do well as when I succeed.
The more we bless people who have what we want, the more we will remove jealousy from our soul. Let us look at how to evict it from our everyday lives:
1. Clock it
Some issues are harder to own up to than others. There is something about jealousy that does not sound good. Remembering, it’s is a basic human that most of us will have to deal with at some time or another. Truth is always the starting point. Tell the Lord that you have been jealous and ask Him to forgive you.
2. Kick it out
God’s Word says: “Do not let your heart envy…” (Proverbs 23:17). This verse reassures me that you and I can stop jealousy in its tracks. If a jealous thought comes as a seed, don’t allow it to take root in your heart. Kick the thought out and replace it with a generous, loving prayer.
3. Be Content
Paul the apostle said that he had learned to be content in every situation – in lack & plenty, whether he was up or down. Contentment is a sign of gratitude to God for what He has ALREADY done. Work at contentment in your life and make thanksgiving a daily exercise.
4. Bless
Rejoice with those who do better than you. Pray that those you compete with will be raised to greater heights and glory. That will soon knock jealousy on the head! Be generous with your prayers and desires.
I encourage you to get my book Dreamstealers which deals with seven common inner issues that I call heart diseases. Left unchecked, these heart problems can stop us from fulfilling our purpose. Jealousy is one of them. Allow God to take you on a journey to peace and victory
