THE NASTY SIDE OF JEALOUSY (is there another side?)

James 3:16 - " For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and EVERY VILE PRACTICE."

Have you ever been the unwilling target of a jealous person or persons? Have you ever felt like you were so attacked or damaged by another person or persons that you just wanted to disappear or just die? Has it damaged you, made you ineffective in your daily life. Has someone elses BAD and SINFUL behavior towards you made you, even for a minute, feel like there is something wrong with YOU? Well, you are not alone! PLEASE don't feel like you are alone! God has plenty to say about jealousy, envy, strife, and other such things...read Galatians 5:19 - "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

James 3:14-5 - "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic."

I Corinthians 13: 1-8 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ... "

Oh my, I could go on...there is SO much in there that teaches us that jealousies, ugliness towards others, ganging up on someone (creates a mob mentality) with a superior attitude is WRONG! Think for a minute if you've ever been THAT person...what is it about you that you hate so much that you would feel a need to downgrade another to rise yourself up? Because that is what happens when jealousy and envy raises up it's ugly head...people go and find others who they can gossip with...come on...you KNOW that is what happens!! and, in case you hadn't figured it out, you were not raised up, but lowered down into a dark place that will be harder and harder to climb out of if you stay there trying to elevate yourself on the broken and soar backs of those you have demoralized. The ONLY way out of the pit you've made for yourself is to let the light shine in...and that is GOD and His commandments and guidance.
II Corinthians 4:6

Can you imagine if YOU were the target for whatever you feel is lacking in YOU? Can you imagine for a minute if people were talking behind your back or being ugly to you about YOUR issue? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? Be careful, because life has a way of coming full circle sometimes and you might just be on the end of someones fiery, evil stick...being poked at and made fun of...and if it doesn't happen on this earth, what has God said will happen to you? In case you didn't know please PLEASE read Psalms 101:5 - "Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure."

So, to the soar at heart I say, GOD LOVES YOU...Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He is there in YOUR CORNER, shouting in your ear not to believe what these ugly people are saying and doing out of their own petty jealous hearts...He is giving you gifts and blessings to help you...be still and see if you can find them...it might be a new friend who sees the beauty in you, it might be a talent you have that can give you joy, it could be ANYTHING...be still (Psalm 46:10) and watch and see the blessings God has for those who have been hurt and left and persecuted!
Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (this does NOT mean we can never speak up...see the verse later, these were words spoken when Moses was freaking out when Pharaoh was coming after them near the Red Sea, it has comfort doesn't it?)  God is there in YOUR corner...don't lower yourself to the level of those ugly people...remember God loves them too...Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." aarrgghh...that's a toughie sometimes...but, it's for OUR good too (forgiviness releases US from being caught in it's ugly cycle)...God is there...HE sees what is happening...let Him be the one who deals with their sinful behavior...Romans 12:19 - "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

HOWEVER...we are NOT called to continue to let people wipe their feet on us so to speak, Remember, we have a voice with our brothers and sisters...Matthew 18:15 - ""If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." We are not guaranteed that this person will see the "error of their ways" and be sorry, but at least we know that God gives us a voice!

So, FIND that blessing God is offering you, has already given you, is wanting you to find...HE will never leave you nor forsake you...Deuteronomy 31:6.  Find a sense of humor if you can...laughter does soothe the savage beast of sorrow and depression and fear...it's a gift from God...and remember, if you've been the target...this is for YOU! tee hee...

 

 

GOD BLESS!!