Strong spirits: jealousy
When you are afraid someone is trying to get what you have.
I looked it up... officially, envy is when you want what someone else has. Jealousy is when you are afraid someone is trying to get what you have.
Sooo... who are you envious of? Who are you jealous of? We are all prone to each of these from time to time, but God would have us be done with them. According to Paul (1 Corinthians 13:4), "Love is not jealous" (or envious, depending on your translation).
Why are they a problem? Because they lead to all kinds of negativity in our lives. They make us angry and resentful. They make us suspicious and hateful. They make us greedy and not content. They can be the beginnings of a lot of trouble. The solution is love - asking God to fill us with love and the ability to show love to all - including those of whom we are envious or jealous.
Does God get envious? No. He already owns everything. Does he get jealous? Yes! Not of us, but for us.
God is jealous of anyone or anything that would steal us away from him. He calls it idolatry. It's based on his incredible, never-ending love for us. Let's not make him jealous! Let's give him first place in our lives!
Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
