The word “envy” or “jealousy” is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as the covetousness for what someone has and the protectiveness of one’s own rights or privileges. While there is a clear distinction between the two definitions, there is no denying that they are correlated.
One of jealousy’s characteristics is competition. When one is competitive, it is easy to fear and feel at loss. When a man sees the very thing he desires is obtained by another, he may feel bitterness and threatened and therefore want to take control and take measures to take what he thought he deserved in the first place. In the worst cases, he starts manifesting destructive behaviors.
When God was pleased with Abel’s offer at the altar and not with Cain’s, Cain felt jealous and planted anger in his heart. Later to the extreme, he killed his brother Abel. When Joseph was gifted with a colorful coat his father Isaac made for him, his eleven brothers felt jealous and later conspired to kill him. These tragic events prove the consequences of letting our emotions take control and are just two of the Bible’s evidence of humanity’s fallen nature.
Yet, even with the believers in Corinthians, the Apostle Paul had to address the conflicts that arose from jealousy (1 Corinthians 3). This just means that as believers, we may struggle with jealousy, too. Therefore, let us continue to fill our minds and hearts with the Word of God. Let us subject our emotions to God’s will. Let us pray for the Spirit’s renewing work in us and that He gives us a humble and teachable heart. Let us ask what the Psalmist asks:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
As the Holy Spirit works in us to be made new in the attitude of our minds (Ephesians 4:23), let us build a constant gratefulness for God’s grace and mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ by reminding ourselves of the Gospel.
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:16)
Let us not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Then we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2).
