The Purpose of Jealousy

~ 1Samuel 18:8-9 (NKJ) ~ Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day forward.





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In one of my regular bible study groups we are studying the life of David.  After he killed Goliath there was a celebration in the streets.  People were so happy with David’s success in everything he did they chanted a song saying “Saul has slain his thousands, and David tens of thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:7).   After this incident Saul’s love for David changed to jealousy.  Instead of being happy that his successes were included, Saul became envious of David for having, what he saw, as more success.  As part of our study we watched a movie about David’s life.  The question came up during our discussion time afterward “How often are we jealous in a situation where there is no need for jealousy?”

What are You Jealous About?
There’s likely something that tugs at your heart with feelings of jealousy toward someone or something.  For me, it’s (hands down) people with kids, marriages; and material things like houses, cars, money.  I’m single (divorced) with no children (outside of pets) and I’ve always had a difficult time dealing with it.  So much that I avoid as much as possible things like baby and bridal showers, and weddings.  I even avoid reading books, articles, or blogs about kids or marriages.  I don’t give my opinions on anything related to marriage or parenting during conversations.

Our Thinking is Flawed
Our focus is wrong when we think like this.  I’m putting these things ahead of Jesus.  Being a Christian is a very difficult life style.  I have to learn to follow Jesus without interference.  We’re told in the tenth commandment that we are not to covet anything that belongs to our neighbour (Exodus 20:17).  Longing for these things before I’m ready to deal with them is wrong.  It means I’m putting the wrong things first in my heart.  Not only that but sometimes the grass is not really as green on the other side of the fence as it appears to be to us at the time.  You know that old saying “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.”

Jesus Outshines All the Rest
My life is nowhere near going the way I planned it... but it’s going exactly the way God planned it.  Blessings will come in due time... in HIS time.  Meanwhile, jealousy is a wasted emotion, not to mention a sin.  Saul didn’t have a good reason to be jealous of David, and neither do we have a reason to be jealous of others.  Put Jesus first in your heart and those other things will seem minor.

Let’s Pray
 ~~ Dear God ~~  You are all-knowing.  You’ve told us in your Word that You know the blessings that You have planned for us.  So often I forget that.  I look at the blessings others have and I am envious.  Thank You for the blessings that are in store for my future.  Please help me to always put Jesus in my heart first.  I don’t want anything to stand in the way of me getting closer to Him .  In Jesus name, AMEN.

Now It’s Your Turn
Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer?  Please consider sharing in the comments section; even if the link you clicked to get here was on another site(If you’re on the homepage, click on the post headline, and scroll down to find the comments section.)
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11 comments :

  1. Thank you for making me think about my motives.

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    1. Thank you for reading. I'm glad that my blog helped you in some small way. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  2. Thank you for reading. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  3. FAITHGIRL91August 21, 2013

    Thank you

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    1. Thank you for reading. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  4. Replies
    1. Thank you I'm glad you liked it. I hope you were blessed by it in some small way. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  5. Carley,

    I think all of us as Christians have tendencies to be jealous and envious. It's what we do with that emotion that counts with God. If we do not turn it over to Him but allow it to sit, fester, and grow then we are doomed for disappointment, dissatisfaction and we have given satan a foothold into our lives.

    My trigger is other peoples houses. I live in what I consider a very small home. No room to invite people over for dinner or to socialize. But honestly, is it really too small? I wonder if I went to the darkened backstreets of a city and selected a homeless person and took them to my home and asked him, "what do think? too small? not good enough?" I wonder what his answer would be. What if I visited a foreign country and picked a person living in a tiny box of a hut and I showed it to them and asked them what they thought. Wonder if they would say, "oh, this home is just too small, it doesn't measure up."

    The reality is that I'm very grateful for my home. It's filled with love. Yes it gets loud. We can make a mess in it but it's warm and welcoming and we've raised our children and showered them with love in that home. I've collected memories in that home that I will carry with me to the end of my time. Happy cherished memories.

    So what am I doing looking at other peoples homes and daydreaming and saying, "I wish". for? I have absolutely no reason at all to be jealous. I am so abundantly blessed.

    So, whenever that negative thought creeps in I asked my Jesus to squash it. And He does. He floods my mind with all of the reasons I have just listed above and reminds me that I am blessed with the home that I have.

    I don't know what blessings God has in store for me in the future. I have no doubt that He has many. He rains down His blessings continuously on me. Will I ever get a big home? I don't know. But if I don't I'm completely fine with that. What I would rather have than a big home is a deeper, even more intimate relationship with Christ. I want that relationship to continue to grow and flourish. I already have an abundant life. My life is filled with His joy, peace and love. I am happy in my life. So what place does jealous belong? Nowhere, it doesn't have a home in my heart.

    Thank you for sharing and for reminding me once again that jealousy is not an emotion that I want familiarity with.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing. I love it when people share their experiences with me. I'm glad you liked my post. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  6. Beautiful message and prayer. It's good that we have a loving God who forgive our misgivings, not once, but over and over again. May we remain as faithful as possible to His Word. Hug, hug -- Evelyn (E-joy)

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    1. Thank you Evelyn. I hope you're doing well these days. It's been a while since I heard from you. Many blessings to you. HUG

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