QUESTION #3:
Is there any feeling of jealousy? When another is preferred before us, does it make us envious and uncomfortable? Do we get jealous of those who can pray, speak and do things better than we can?

Ouch!! ::screams:: Sorry, that was just the question pricking my soul ;) Ok really though, this one can speak to the depths of all of our hearts. I feel an area that has at times become a mastered skill is that of comparison. Anyone reciprocate? This can look like feelings of inadequacy or pride as we compare ourselves, but the root often is jealousy. “Why did they get the promotion?”. “Why are they getting to do that before me?”. “How come they get to do (fill in the blank)?” All of these envious places in our hearts steal faith from us that God created us perfectly in His image and gives us all things we need in His timing. He didn’t create us to be like another and have what they have when they have it.

Often, I believe that a jealous heart has an offense against God that somehow believes He’s withholding good from us. The truth is that He “so loved the world that He GAVE His only son…” He wouldn’t give us free gifts like eternal salvation through His son, health and wholeness and His Holy Spirit if He were in the art of robbing us. The truth is, while we’re caught up in jealously for other “things, titles, relationships, money, etc.. God is wildly jealous over us and wants us to be satisfied in Him. Just because we may not have everything that we want, doesn’t mean that we don’t have all that we need. If we still feel that we don’t have what we need, then it indicates we can afford to make more room in our hearts for Jesus.

Jesus wants to fill your heart with His affirmation and identity over you so that you’re content in Him. Your success is not being held back by another’s success. Ready for jealousy to leave?

APPLICATION:

1. Acknowledge areas of jealousy. Write them down and speak them out loud to God. Ex. “God, I’m jealous that he/she if gifted in ____”. “God you see how much my heart yearns to have what he/she has”.
2. Repent (confess, renounce, and release forgiveness) for any feelings of jealousy and envy.
3. Write down 3 things that are positive and truthful statements about who you are. If you aren’t sure or lack confidence to write 3, ask someone close to you who loves you and celebrates you.
4. Find 2-3 scriptures about your unique identity as a child of God and speak them out loud over yourself.

SCRIPTURES:

James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice

Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.

Exodus 34:14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)

Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Galatians 5:19-21 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.

Romans 13:13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.