Envy and jealousy are often confused. Jealousy may feel bitter about someone winning an award but envy will wish they were that person receiving the award. Jealousy is the foundation of envy. This deadly sin plants seeds of discontent, neglect and comparison. When envy takes over the heart it fails to recognize the blessings God has done in your life because you are consumed by the blessings others have received. You disregard the value of things within your life because you are wishing you had someone else’s possessions or achievements. Envy causes you to compare yourself to others and ultimately shows a lack of faith.
“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” – 2 Corinthians 10:12
Envy causes you to be critical. It points out your flaws, focuses on your mistakes and fails to acknowledge God’s work. Envy is quick to criticize and enjoys gossip. It sheds light on what other’s have but sends darkness over things you have. Jealousy may not be avoidable because it is part of the flesh but it can be stopped before reaching the point of envy. Envy tends to disregard the trials and tribulations individuals have suffered to get where they are. Many people wish they were Beyonce. They want to be rich and famous. They see the glitz and glamour but fail to recognize the sweat and tears.In order to be Beyonce, you’d have to give up your privacy, sleep and time away from friends and family.
Do not judge someone’s story based on the chapter you walked in on. You never know what someone had to go through, hardships they endured or losses they took to reach the blessings they have. There is enough blessings to go around! You are not Beyonce because only Beyonce is supposed to be Beyonce. You are you, divinely and uniquely created, and no one else can be that. God has a specific calling over your life and it comes with specific blessings.
Believer, you are only human. There will be times when you feel jealous, believe you deserve something someone else has or wish you had more. The human ego feeds off of jealous and is satisfied with envy. But, why is this an emotion that seems inevitable for humans to experience? Are you not created in the image of God? Do you not possess similar qualities as your creator? For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God [Deuteronomy 4:24]. It is no secret that your Heavenly Father is a jealous God. But, what makes God jealous?
“For the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth” – Deuteronomy 6:15
In the book of Jeremiah, God shows us the disaster of idolatry. The people provoked God’s anger with their wickedness. They burned incense and worshiped other gods—gods that neither they nor you nor any of your ancestors had ever even known. God’s jealousy may be harsh, like leaving towns deserted and in ruins but it is for the sake of your salvation. God doesn’t want you praying or worshipping false idols because He knows they will do nothing for you. Only God can renew your mind, work in your heart and transform your life for the better. God doesn’t want you to waste your days on earth doing things that will lead to death.
Believers, do not overlook the many blessings that is in your life. Do not wish for things others have or think that God won’t provide your every want or need. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him![Matthew 7:11]. Ask and you shall receive. The more time you spending wishing the less time you spend praying.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” –Hebrews 13:5