Jealousy

by Edwin Neely, Brantford, Ontario | Category: General | Aug 1981

Jealousy steals the peace of God from the heart. It moved the ten patriarchs against Joseph their brother, and they sold him into Egypt. It prompted Eliab, the elder brother of David, to chide him for leaving his sheep, to rescue Israel from the hand of Goliath and the Philistines. It tempted Saul to despise David and to hunt him like a partridge upon the mountains. Jealousy was that which caused the high priest and Sadducees to jail the apostles. It is cruel as Sheol, its flashes as flashes of fire, a most vehement flame. It is linked with strife, the lusts of the flesh and all the works of darkness: the antithesis of all that is involved in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:12-14). All the works of the flesh that stand against the fruit of the Spirit and bar full entrance into the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-24) are connected with it. "Where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed" (Jas. 3:16). Jealousy eats like a cancer, feeding its own appetite with an even greater one, growing out of and again into vainglory, provocation and envy, robbing from us the joy of walking with the Spirit and enjoying the precious things He has for us.

Jealousy in its extreme has wrecked lives, families, assemblies. But even in its initial stages it robs the Lord of the quality of offering we place in His hands Lord's day by Lord's day as we function as a holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. What is the remedy?

Philippians 4 deals with the remedy of all problems involving interpersonal relationships. Rejoice in the Lord. In nothing be anxious. Whatsoever things are honourable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, things of virtue, things praiseworthy, take account of these things. It is surprising how jealousy drops away as we learn that we can do all things through the One who strengthens us. Jealousy grows out of a combination of inadequacy and pride, but when we commit ourselves and our feelings to the Lord and leave them with Him, they are crucified: we walk away from the cross and leave them there (Gal. 5:24). "Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other... put on love... And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Col. 3:12-15).

Edwin Neely, Brantford, Ontario | Aug 1981
General