Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Jealousy is a terrible thing.
Do you notice what jealousy is grouped with, here in this scripture above? Murder, hatred, fits of rage, envy, adultery, etc. These are some pretty serious things. There isn’t one of us that wouldn’t consider murder to be one of the worst things anyone can do. But jealousy is grouped right in there with murder!
Jealousy affects most of us at one time or another, in some way. It can come from within us, aimed toward someone else, or it can come against us from another person who is jealous of us.
If it’s within us, we can choose to fix it and get right with God or we can get caught up in it and let it destroy us. If we aren’t careful, it can become an obsession that will ruin our lives and make us miserable. Jealousy will cost us a lot, including friendships.
People can also be jealous of us. We will know who our friends really are when God blesses us with something and we get to see how people react to our blessings. Jealous people can be some of the meanest people around.
How do we react when a jealous person attacks us? And they will attack us. Do we get angry and lash out at them, looking for revenge and vindication? Or do we follow the verse below?
Romans 12:21 NKJV: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
God says to love them. We need to be careful not to let ourselves become victims of jealousy, from either side.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-377-5400
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