Beware of Envy and Jealousy
Today's Devotion, Beware of Envy and Jealousy. People will never envy you for the things that you lose in life, but they will envy you for the things that you have in life. No one will throw stones in a tree that has no mangoes, and no one will break into an empty house. Envy is wanting what someone else has, while jealousy is characterized by not wanting someone to have or enjoy what you have or enjoy.
Envy can also be seen as sadness from being covetous, and being jealous is seen as sadness from being covetous in a romantic scenario. Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not envy, to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter, and to lead but not manipulate. Jealousy and envy is the heart of counting someone else's blessings instead of your own.
In Proverbs 3 verse 31 it is written, Envy though not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. And in James 3 verse 16 it is written, For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. The true Christian's life consists of repentance, self-denial, following Christ, and obedience.
Even though jealousy and envy is not a part of it, both are found in many of our churches. My brothers and sisters in Christ, God is more focused on how you live instead of how much you pay in your tithes. Where you sit in church does not determine where you will end up on the day of judgment.
Do not envy others because of how close they may be to the elders, the missionaries, or the pastors in the church. Make sure that you have a closer relationship with God instead of man. Man will compliment you on the podium, but God will condemn you for what you have done secretly when no one else is seeing.
In Proverbs 23 verse 17 it is written, Let not thine heart envy sinners, but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. Heavenly Father, when we sin in secret, you are our only audience. Lord open our spiritual eyes so that we are aware that we are only fooling ourselves and not you.
Merciful God, forgive us for our feelings of envy and jealousy that are secretly and silently destroying our relationship with you. Open our eyes and open our heart so that we are able to recognize envy when it appears. Free us from the envy and jealousy that is blocking our blessings and help us to make choices that will control our desires and give us strength to be at peace with you and with others.
All these we ask in Jesus name, Amen.
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