Jealousy is being predisposed to suspect rivalry or unfaithfulness; hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage. Envy is the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.
Webster’s Dictionary
Jealousy and envy is resenting God’s goodness in my neighbor’s life and ignoring His goodness in my own life.
· You become conflicted.
“You are jealous for what others have, and you can’t possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them.” James 4:2 (NLT)
· You become discontented.
“A tranquil heart makes for a healthy body, but jealousy is like bone cancer.”
Pr. 14:30 (NCV)
· You become vulnerable.
“Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.” James 3:16 (NCV)
What is the solution?
1. Remember who made you.
“You (God) created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb … You saw me before I was born and scheduled every day of my life before I began to breathe.”
Ps. 139:13+15 (GN)
2. Stop comparing yourself.
“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.” Gal. 6:4 (NIV)
3. Be a thankful person.
“Give thanks in all circumstances…” 1 Th. 5:18 (NIV)
“It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else.” Eccl. 6:9 (GN)
4. Stay rooted in love.
“You being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- tp know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19
‘Love does not envy’. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Additional Reading:
Envy: The Enemy Within
Author: Bob Sorge
Publisher: Regal Books ISBN: 0-8307-3122-9
www.oasishouse.net