Jealousy

Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary describes jealousy as:

1. That passion of peculiar uneasiness which arises from the fear that a rival may rob us of the affection of one whom we love, or the suspicion that he has already done it; or it is the uneasiness which arises from the fear that another does or will enjoy some advantage which we desire for ourselves. A man's jealousy is excited by the attentions of a rival to his favorite lady. A woman's jealousy is roused by her husband's attentions to another woman. The candidate for office manifests a jealousy of others who seek the same office. The jealousy of a student is awakened by the apprehension that his fellow will bear away the palm of praise. In short, jealousy is awakened by whatever may exalt others, or give them pleasures and advantages which we desire for ourselves. Jealousy is nearly allied to envy, for jealousy, before a good is lost by ourselves, is converted into envy, after it is obtained by others.

Jealousy is the apprehension of superiority.

Whoever had qualities to alarm our jealousy, had excellence to deserve our fondness.

2. Suspicious fear or apprehension.

3. Suspicious caution or vigilance, an earnest concern or solicitude for the welfare or honor of others. Such was Paul's godly jealousy for the Corinthians.

4. Indignation. God's jealousy signifies his concern for his own character and government, with a holy indignation against those who violate his laws, and offend against his majesty. Ps.79.

Basically, jealousy is resentment against a rival. I heard about someone being jealous of another person not once but twice this week in casual conversation. One situation was between Christians the other situation was between non-Christians. In one of the circumstances a friendship is on the brink of breaking in the other someone was fired from the position they held. In each case the main ingredient is jealousy.

Jealousy is an emotion that can and often will destroy lives, friendships, places of worship, and places of work. When we let the green eyed monster of jealousy permeate our life anything can and often does happen. We need to grab the monster and remove it as fast as we can. Have you ever been the brunt of someone’s jealousy or have you been jealous of another? If you answered yes to either side of the question you know what I am talking about.

Today I’d like to look at the causes/characteristics of jealousy.

Characteristics of Jealousy

Jaundiced view

Envy

Annoyed

Long for what you cannot have

Offended

Unsatisfied with what you have

Spiteful

Yearn for what is not yours

Here are some interesting quotes I found on jealousy.

Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own. ~ Unknown

Jealousy is the jaundice of the soul. ~ John Dryden

No man is a complete failure until he begins disliking men who succeed. ~ Unknown

Jealousy sees things always with magnifying glasses which make little things large, of dwarfs, giants, of suspicions, truth ~ Cervantes

The jealous man poisons his own banquet and then eats it. ~ Unknown

Oh, beware of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on. ~ Shakespeare

Join me the next time to look at ways to rise above jealousy.

Have a blessed day,
Donna