The Green-Eyed Monster

When I was twelve years old, I won a prize at the end of the school year for academic achievement; it was a novel about horses. I didn't think that it was the greatest story, but I was proud of the handwritten inscription in the flyleaf with my name and the date for all to see. The younger sister of my close friend next door asked to borrow the book. We all called her "horse crazy". When I got the book back, the flyleaf in the book was completely missing! Regardless of whether Sharon was jealous of my success, I was heartbroken that the inscription at the front of my prize book was gone forever.

A clear instance of jealousy stands out in the Old Testament. King Saul had recognized David's capabilities, so he made him a commander over his army. However, he soon became jealous and angry when David's army returned home from battle victorious, and the women sang, "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands." (1 Samuel 18:7b NLT) Saul was prone to a tormenting spirit, and David had earlier been commissioned to play his harp to soothe the king. The very next day after King Saul's angry outburst over the women's song, the tormenting spirit caused Saul to act irrationally, and he hurled his spear at David. Then, Saul hoped that by sending David into battle, he would be killed. Instead, David won the right to marry Saul's daughter, Michal. Eventually, Saul was determined to assassinate David wherever he was hiding with his men, because he was so jealous of his success. The "green-eyed monster" played a powerful, negative role in Saul's life, contributing to his eventual downfall as king.

Proverbs 14:30b – Jealousy is like cancer in the bones. (NLT)

Jealousy may be deeply rooted in a person. Like a cancer, jealousy may be initially hidden and spreads quietly until it eventually shows up in destructive behaviour.

Proverbs 27:4 – Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous. (NLT)

Jealousy is listed as one of the desires of our sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21, and in verse 26, Paul advises, "Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another." (NLT)

1 Peter 2:1 – So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. (NLT)

It's easy to be jealous of the success of another. We are continually admonished not to let jealousy overtake us. Paul instructs us, "Be happy with those who are happy." (Romans 12:15a NLT)

We are each unique, but equally loved by God. What He does for one person, He can do for another, according to our circumstances. Let's celebrate the success of others, instead of being jealous of them.

Prayer: Lord, help us to rejoice with others when they are successful, instead of allowing jealousy to creep up and overtake us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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