Proverbs 27:4 (AMP)
Wrath is cruel, and anger is an overwhelming flood, but who is able to stand before jealousy?
The dictionary defines jealousy as resentful or bitter in rivalry or envious. From our anchored Scripture, wrath and anger are no match for jealousy. Envy and jealousy are works of the flesh. It is clear that jealousy or envy has the power and destructive capability to go beyond wrath and anger. The truth is, jealousy is at the root of the fool’s wrath and anger, and no one is able to deliver anyone from its enslaving chains once it has taken root. Trapped by jealousy, many begin to feed themselves on the filth of their own imagination. Jealousy will decimate a friendship, dissolve a romance and destroy a marriage. Jealousy will nullify team unity and foster bitter competition among people. A jealous heart cannot rejoice in the good fortunes of others or celebrate another’s victory. Jealousy is worse than anger and wrath because it is more unjust and only comes from an evil mind, where someone is angry and bitter for another man’s happiness or success. In this life, someone will always have something we don’t or enjoy experiences different from ours. However, God has given us many blessings, including life on this earth and the promise of eternal life.
The word of God is faithful throughout the ages; thus, we must watch out for our attitude toward it. It is important to note that the world is like a marketplace where transactions are made. Every single action of a person attracts a corresponding outcome as exchange; it may be a loss or gain, in time or in eternity. It is extremely dangerous to let jealousy fester and grow in our lives. Envy or jealousy will deny us from inheriting the Kingdom of God(Galatians 5:19-21). Job 5:2 says, “For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple(naive).” Jealousy is as forceful as death and as poisonous as venom. The trouble is that it unleashes more harm to the person harboring it than the person targeted. It brings personal harm or weakens one’s physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Jealousy is at the core of most sibling rivalries, family conflicts, disagreements, and wars. Envy and jealousy provoked Joseph’s brothers to despise and sell him into slavery(Genesis 37). In other words, Joseph became a victim of his brothers’ envy; he nearly lost his life had it not been for God’s intervention. Joseph would not have been subjected to slavery, blackmail, and imprisonment if his brothers had not envied him. No wonder Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:36, “and a man’s enemies will be the members of his [own] household [when one believes and another does not].” It was also envy that motivated the religious leaders to arrange the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:18).
Beloved, rid yourself of jealousy because how you live determines where you end in time and eternity. If there is no principle guiding your life, the accident of destiny is not preventable. Jealousy will enslave you; anger will expose you, and wrath will destroy you and everyone you love. You may be tempted to be jealous, but do not let the devil drop this deadly venom in your heart. It would take divine intervention for an envious person to escape the consequences of their actions. Be mindful of the kind of people you share your visions, dreams, and aspirations with because man’s heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Do not deliberately wake the envy of your enemies because grace does not cover silliness. While you have the guarantee of the Lord’s protection, you must also be careful not to court envy by your actions or inactions, thereby generating unnecessary strife. Today trust God for His help and focus on Him in thankfulness to overcome jealousy. When you open your eyes to see the goodness of the Lord around you, you don’t have time or energy to engage in jealousy. Choose to separate yourself from this harmful action and walk in righteousness. All those who are jealous of the grace of God upon your life will bow to you. Remember, whoever envies or is jealous of you confesses your superiority.
O LORD, deliver me from the spirit of envy and jealousy. Give me grace to love and be patient in Jesus’ Name.