JEALOUSY AND ENVY

by Prof. Dr. Soundararaj Chelliah (President)

October 02, 2014

in Message of the Month

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James 3:16 – ^“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (ESV).

Greetings to in the precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the good LORD bless and keep you throughout this month with joy, peace and good health. Last month we meditated upon bitterness which spoils harmony and love in the family and in our work place. This month I want to share the second dangerous weapon that spoils the family, friends and coworkers. It is a hidden poison that brings disaster to the harmony of the family and finally brings tragedy in the life of the person who possesses it. It is none but jealousy and envy.

Please turn in your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 18. King Saul is the main character of 1 Sam. 18, and he, in a very graphic way, illustrates the evils of two sins in particular – jealousy and envy. “Jealousy” and “envy” are very similar in meaning. They involve the “feelings of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantages or prosperity of another.” (Webster). They also involve “longing after or coveting some advantage or possession of another.” (Webster). “Envy” is the stronger of the two words because it not only involves ill-feelings toward another, but it expresses itself in action against the one envied. Every sin begins with temptation and, if not repented of, ends in death, mostly suicide. Let us study “jealousy” and “envy,” as exemplified in the life of Saul, that we might avoid them.

THE SEEDS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY. 1 Sam. 18:1-9

COMPARISON
In the first nine verses we see the seeds of jealousy sown in Saul’s heart. Comparisons were made between Saul and David of whom Saul did not appreciate. 1 Sam. 18:7-9. Of course, the Bible warns us of the folly of comparing ourselves to others (2 Cor. 10:12).
INSECURITY

Also, the seeds of jealousy were sown in Saul’s heart by his own insecurity. He was afraid that David would take away the kingdom from him (1 Sam. 18:8). Usually leaders don’t like the All Christians should try to do their best to serve God, and leave all else in the hands of God. In James 3:14-15, we read “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic”.

THE FRUITS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY. 1 Sam. 18:10-27

EVIL ACTIONS FLOWS
When jealousy or envy takes root, evil actions flow there from. Saul throws his spear at David in an attempt to pin him to the wall (1 Sam. 18:11). As a matter of fact, three times he tries to kill David with a javelin. (1 Sam. 18:10-11; 19:9-10). Also, Saul plotted and schemed to have David fall by the Philistines (1 Sam. 18:25). When jealousy or envy takes root in one’s heart it causes him to do evil things. Jealousy will cause one to squander precious time and resources in evil actions rather than faithfully serving the Lord.
“FEAR”
Fear is a fruit of jealousy. Three times in this chapter, the inspired writer says that Saul was afraid of David (1 Sam. 18:12, 15, 29). Saul’s fear was irrational and unjustified, but David was completely loyal to Saul and would have humbly served him in any way he desired. Sin clouds the mind and darkens the heart (Rom. 1:21-22, 26, 28; Gen. 6:5-8; Eph. 4:17-19)

THE PITS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY. 1 Sam. 18:28-29

HARDSHIPS AND HEARTACHE IN FAMILY
Hardships and heartache in one’s own family is a pit in the fruit of jealousy! Saul sent messengers to kill David, but David was saved by David’s wife, Michal (1 Sam. 19:11-17). Remember, Michal was the daughter of Saul. To say the least, she did not appreciate what her father was trying to do. Later, Saul tries to kill his own son Jonathan who was defending David (1 Sam. 20:30-34). Again, Saul’s envy was putting a hard strain, to say the least, on family relations.
“BLINDNESS OF HEART”
“Blindness of heart” is a pit in the fruit of jealousy. Saul had the priests of God killed because he thought they had tried to help David (1 Sam. 22:13-18). For a long time, he had all the armies of Israel in the wilderness hunting David (Chapters 22-26). A king who should look after his country and its people – his agenda in life became “kill David” and furthermore, whoever supported David were also killed! Saul did not stop pursuing David even though David proved to him twice that he was not his enemy (1 Sam. 24:4-12; 26:8-11).

THE END CONSEQUENCES OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY.

HE LOST EVERYTHING
Saul’s jealousy and envy became an obsession, and caused him to lose everything of any value. He lost the friendship and loyalty of one who would have been a good son-in-law. 1 Sam. 18:29 says that Saul became the continual enemy of David. How sad! In so many families the parents, the mother-in-law, the daughter-in-law becomes continual enemy! David would have made a great general (and/or servant) under Saul’s kingship. He lost the love and respect of his family. His own daughter was separated from her husband whom she loved so much. He lost his own son.
THE LORD DEPARTED
The Lord departed from Saul and became his enemy! (1 Sam. 28:16). Thus, Saul lost the most important thing any human being can ever have – fellowship with God (John 1:11-13; 1 John 3:1; Rev. 21:7-8). In the end, in desperation, Saul asked counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, the witch of Endor. (Ch. 28). His life ended in suicide on the battle field! (1 Sam. 31:3-6)

CONCLUSION.

As we have seen, the root cause of Saul’s downfall was his jealousy and envy of David. Instead of controlling jealousy and envy, jealousy and envy took control of him, and destroyed him. They put him in a rapid spiral downward from which he never recovered. Let us be aware of these sins, their powers, and what they can do to us. Jealousy and envy will bring harm to ourselves, our families, and, worst of all, will destroy our souls. May God help us to overcome envy and jealousy in our hearts and lives.

Kindly meditate on these following passages and find out whether you are in right relationship with the lord.

Luke 15:25-30:- ^“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes; you killed the fattened calf for him!’

Luke 10:39-42:- “And Martha had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her”

Prayer: Lord, make me understand that I should never be jealous or envy with anybody, since you hate this hidden character. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen