The Green Eyed Monster – 10/6

The Green-Eyed Monster

"Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" Proverbs 27:4

 

Jealousy is an emotion that doesn't fade as we grow into adulthood. We still have a tendency to declare "IT'S NOT FAIR!" when we don't get what we feel we deserve from life. Christians are not the exception. We are jealousy that God has blessed someone else with something that we would like. As women we've all said it at some time or another. I'm so jealous I wish I had curly/straight hair. It's not fair. A simple example but that is jealousy none the less.

 

In Proverbs 14:30 Solomon says that envy rots the bones but a heart at peace give life to the body. Jealousy can bring with it other emotions in subtle and not so subtle ways. Luke 11:39 says that greed is difficult to discover because it is on the inside and we cover it up on the outside. Psalm 101:5 says that we have slander come from our mouths from jealousy. Proverbs 25:23 talks about a sly-tongue, slander and 2
Peter 2:14 says that a sinner has a heart trained in covetous practices.

 

Jealousy, materialism as referred to in the bible, brings trouble to the family (Proverbs 15:27) and in addition to greed and envy lead to sin (Habakkuk 2:9). The alternative to jealousy is to turn your heart to Jesus (Psalm 119:36). In Proverbs 21:26 Solomon says ," the righteous gives and does not spare." By giving we look to others and meeting other needs therefore we are not looking at the interests of ourselves. (1 Corinthians 10:24,Philippians 2:4)

 

Mary and Martha are a great example of Jealousy. Martha was in the kitchen and Mary was out with Jesus and his disciples. Martha says, "What about me? Don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me." (Luke 10:40). Jesus responds in the next verse, "Martha, Martha you are upset and worried about many things but only one is needed". That one this thing is focusing on where Jesus is and where he wants YOU to be in your life.

What about her/him??? Peter asks that question of Jesus regarding John. In John 21:22 Jesus replies, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is it to you? You must follow me."

It must be our focus and purpose to not allow the green-eyed monster of jealousy to cause our eyes to wander from the purpose that God has for our lives. Paul says "The one who plants and the one who waters have one purposes, and each will be rewarded for their labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8). He goes on to say that "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself without comparing himself to someone else, for each one should carry his own load." (Galatians 6:4,5)

 

These are powerful words concerning Greed. We must remember that it is God who put us on this earth. He knit us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) (Proverbs 3.5-6 KJV) "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." If we will lean on him, he will direct our lives as he has put us on this earth to do. We were created for his purpose with certain traits, characteristics and abilities that we use to grow his Kingdom. Granted we all might not like the talents that we have and wish that we had someone else's but in the end we are all working for one purpose and that is to bring people to know that God loves them, forgives them and wants to be their provider and protector.

 

TRINKETS TO TREASURE

Our trinket to treasure is Grass Seed. We need to keep our eyes from wondering and keep them focused on our own lawns. Grass seed is easy to grow, even in a small pot on the corner of your desk. Just remember to keep it mowed. While your "mowing" it remember that pruning and shaping take place in every life between that individual and Jesus.

 

And for laughs….Chuck Swindoll says " The grass may be greener in your neighbor's yard: Their water bill is probably higher!"

 

• Text taken from Managing Your Moods, Women of Faith