One thing has become exceedingly apparent in the past couple of weeks. I am a green girl. And no, this is not green as in the environmentally conscious type- although I did hug a tree last week. This is in the expression "green with envy." And lately I've been so green I'm practically an artichoke. And because I've been so jealous, it has made me frustrated and discontented. Hence the artichoke is steamed.
But one thing I realized is that when we do get jealous, not only does it show we are discontent, but it also shows that we are still very much being controlled by our own selfish desires. 1 Corinthians 3:3 really hit home on this point. "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?"
And being jealous isn't just harmful to you, but to every relationship you have. First, when you compare yourselves to others it diminishes you're sense of who you are. Second, it harms our relationships by keeping us from celebrating other's gifts and abilities.
But jealousy can also have another definition. The Bible says that God is a jealous God. Jealousy is not a very attractive characteristic especially for a perfect Almighty God. The word "jealous" sounds as if one's self-control has been lost, however we know this isn't the case with the Almighty God.The best way I've heard this question explained was done using a dating relationship illustration. There are two types of jealousy: an insecure/sinful jealousy and a secure/righteous jealousy.
If a man who is in a relationship gets upset and angry anytime his girlfriend's phone rings because he wonders who might be calling, or if he doesn't want his girl talking to any other male because he's afraid of the thought of her "getting away" then that would be considered an insecure/jealousy. This type of jealousy doesn't describe our God.
However if that man was married to a woman and noticed another man coming and purposely deceiving her in order to steal her from the husband, then this man has every right to be jealous for HIS wife.
What differentiates the two? One is rooted in an insecurity and one is the defense of what is rightfully his.He is not jealous OF me as we get jealous of others, but rather FOR me. Why? Because we are his, and he doesn't want someone coming in and deceitfully stealing our affections. God doesn't take lightly the relationship he has between Himself and man. Because he has invested infinitely more than we can imagine into this relationship- His Son!
But one thing I realized is that when we do get jealous, not only does it show we are discontent, but it also shows that we are still very much being controlled by our own selfish desires. 1 Corinthians 3:3 really hit home on this point. "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?"
And being jealous isn't just harmful to you, but to every relationship you have. First, when you compare yourselves to others it diminishes you're sense of who you are. Second, it harms our relationships by keeping us from celebrating other's gifts and abilities.
But jealousy can also have another definition. The Bible says that God is a jealous God. Jealousy is not a very attractive characteristic especially for a perfect Almighty God. The word "jealous" sounds as if one's self-control has been lost, however we know this isn't the case with the Almighty God.The best way I've heard this question explained was done using a dating relationship illustration. There are two types of jealousy: an insecure/sinful jealousy and a secure/righteous jealousy.
If a man who is in a relationship gets upset and angry anytime his girlfriend's phone rings because he wonders who might be calling, or if he doesn't want his girl talking to any other male because he's afraid of the thought of her "getting away" then that would be considered an insecure/jealousy. This type of jealousy doesn't describe our God.
However if that man was married to a woman and noticed another man coming and purposely deceiving her in order to steal her from the husband, then this man has every right to be jealous for HIS wife.
What differentiates the two? One is rooted in an insecurity and one is the defense of what is rightfully his.He is not jealous OF me as we get jealous of others, but rather FOR me. Why? Because we are his, and he doesn't want someone coming in and deceitfully stealing our affections. God doesn't take lightly the relationship he has between Himself and man. Because he has invested infinitely more than we can imagine into this relationship- His Son!
So my fellow steamed artichokes. It's time to finally surrender. Put aside all the selfish desires that we have deceived ourselves into thinking we already surrendered. Because the fact is, we haven't. If you still get jealous over it you have haven't given it up yet. Do not be jealous of anyone, but rather for a relationship further with Christ. And recognize that those people you slander because you are jealous of them are God's image bearers. They are just as much intricately and intelligently designed as you. James 3:10 You cannot insult the creation and praise the Creator.
"To live for Christ I first must die to all the rivals in my life. Only You can satisfy."
"To live for Christ I first must die to all the rivals in my life. Only You can satisfy."
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