Gospel gems – Jealousy breeds hatred

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, Matthew 21:15

Jesus was doing what His Father had sent Him to do, the children saw it and some adults saw it too. As a matter of fact, everyone who was in the area saw the wonderful works of Jesus.

The only ones who were upset and displeased were the chief priests and scribes, the religious leaders. Displeased in this verse means “to be greatly afflicted – indignant.”

Can you imagine being so angry that it greatly affected you? They were angry because the children were praising Jesus. The second reason they were angry was because of the “wonderful things” that Jesus did.

Their jealousy had turned to bitter hatred. They hated that Someone was doing more than them and getting and receiving praise. Remember these were the same ones who “loved to be seen of men”. (Matthew 23:5)

When a problem of jealousy, hatred or bitterness starts to well up, confess it and turn from it now before it controls your life. 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Jealousy Part 3

The word jealous or jealousy is mentioned 47 times in the Bible. Sixty-two percent of the time it is referring to God being jealous of his people who are putting their affections elsewhere. Today’s blog is about God’s jealousy. I asked my husband, Mark, to write today’s blog, enjoy.

Jealous, jealous, jealous, what a difficult word to describe, the translation of jealousy in the Bible is “jealous”. Not much of a help there.  

One of God’s names is Jealous, and the reason is He is a jealous God. For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Exodus 34:14

Some people get jealous over minor things; however there are jealousies which have led to the death of those who were the object of jealousy. When Israel wanted a king, Samuel was very upset with the people. He thought the office of the Judges was sufficient, however when God spoke with Samuel about the people’s desire He said; But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (I Samuel 8:6-7)  There are many examples of Israel forcing God to show His jealousy over them, and they paid dearly for their actions.

We are all prone to having our feelings hurt through jealousy, and God warns us not to provoke Him to jealousy. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.  Deuteronomy 4:24

If we want to have a relationship with God, without the fear of causing Him to be jealous, we must understand there are codes of life God wants us to abide by to show our love for Him. When we opt to chase the rainbows of life on this earth we leave Him out causing a spike in His jealousy.

God says He is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. In this statement we see God puts destructive fire right up there with jealousy. I have been burned very severely in the past. The burn was so severe it caused me to lose much time at work as well as the ability to walk without the aid of crutches. I do not want to cause the consuming fire of God’s jealousy focused on me.

The best way to avoid God’s jealousy is to put Him first in all things. Walk in the paths He has lit for us and remember, God is a jealous God.

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Jealousy Part 2

How can we control jealousy? We can only control it with ourselves. We have no control over others or how they act. Unless of course, we are flaunting things we do or bragging about something. Again those things are in our control. Jealousy can rip us up inside. It can breed and multiply into many more troubles, if we allow it to take control in our life.

Antonyms for jealousy are contentment, happiness, pleasure, satisfaction. One of the antonyms is contentment.. How can we have contentment?

Ways to conquer/get rid of jealousy - Contentment

Content with what you have

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippines 4:11

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Only seek to please Him

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 

Negative associations – break ties with

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. Proverbs 29:22 

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 22:24 

Treat others the way you want to be treated

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31 

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20 

Enjoy life in Christ

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 

Negative thoughts – eliminate them

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 

Tenderhearted toward others

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 

Memorize scripture to help you not be jealous

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11 

Expectation in God alone

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Psalm 62:5

Not leaning on our own understanding

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Take pleasure in knowing God’s love

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:19 

All jealousy must be strangled in its birth, or time will soon make it strong enough to overcome the truth. ~ Sir William Davenant

Happiness consists in being perfectly satisfied with what we have got and with what we haven’t got. ~ Unknown

It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what we are. ~ Sir James Mackintosh

Above all, pray, pray, pray and ask the Lord to show you what to do and what to say or what not to do and what not to say. Sometimes (maybe most of the time) we need to be quiet and watch God work it out.

Have a blessed day, 
Donna

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

Are you a hoarder?

Hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. – Mayo clinic staff

Having worked with the elderly I have attended in-services on hoarding. Some elderly hoard items, it can be anything from newspapers, styrofoam containers and little jam packets (from a restaurant) to animals (especially cats). It is an extremely sad condition.

What about you? Are you a hoarder?

I can hear it now. “No way”,” I’m neat and orderly”, “If I don’t need it I get rid of it”.

What about hoarding in your mind? Are there thoughts you keep stock piling in your mind?

Thoughts of envy
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Corinthians 3:3

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James 3:16

Thoughts of Jealousy
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. Proverbs 6:34

Bitterness or resentment toward someone
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: Psalm 64:3

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15


Years ago I worked with a man whose mother said, “Don’t let them rent space in your mind”. When you dwell on others and their offenses toward you, you give them control. Our thoughts continually go back to the situation; we hash it and rehash it in our mind.

We need to “let go” give it to God. Ask Him for forgiveness for harboring such thoughts. Don’t let anyone rent space in your mind, keep that space for the Lord to fill with His goodness and greatness.

Steps to a Clean mind

Get rid of the unpleasant thoughts
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Keep your mind on Christ
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Dwell on good thoughts
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Renew your mind
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Ephesians 4:23

Renewed mind definition in Thayer’s – to be renewed in the mind i.e. spiritually transformed, to take on a new mind. Basically to think differently about the situation.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Focus on God
Ask God to give you the grace to focus on Him and not on others.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:37

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy1:7

... Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11

The choice is ours to hoard or not to hoard that is the question.

Have a blessed day,
Donna