“They have it, you want it, so you feel envious”

In Renaissance England most emotions were matched with colours. Green was matched with envy and jealousy. Shakespeare in his play Othello, turned it into an even more visual idea, making it a monster, suggesting that it is powerful and dangerous!!

*Envy is not only felt for material possessions, more often we envy people who are well regarded, admired, influential, and successful. We wish we had their stature/status. It is an egocentric and selfish view of fairness*

The spirit of envy and jealousy  has always been a major contributing factor to physical diseases.

When a person has an issue with accepting themselves in their identity, the spirit of envy and jealousy creeps in. Then, rejection and bitterness towards themselves and others follows. As a result, they may experience physical breakdown (through depression and possibly, hormonal disorders) in their body. Envy rots the body from the inside out. 

In jealousy, you are threatened with the loss of something you have (or thought you had). Envy is a two-person emotion; “I want what you have”. Jealousy is the three-person love triangle, I want who you have

 

*How to conquer the Green-Eyed Monster, according to the Bible?*

*1. Stop comparing*

When Peter compared what he had with John’s in John 21:21, Jesus simply told him, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me!” We are responsible to God alone for what He has entrusted us with. Don’t compare!

 

*2. Celebrate other people’s gifts*

Be encouraged and reminded that God is good and gives all good gifts (Matt 7:11). Be reminded always, God doesn’t have any less to give, and for that reason, celebrate His goodness to all!

 

*3. All we have is God’s gift* 

James 1:17 - James 1:17 - Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle

Take every opportunity to see God’s good gifts to you throughout your day and celebrate His goodness!

 

 

1. Pray that God will give you the grace to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings and responses. To recognize jealousy as deceptive thinking and give you the grace to put an end to it in your heart

*Psalm 42:5* - Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.

 

 

2. Father, show me the areas of my life that are held captive by jealousy and envy. Help me to celebrate the gifts, opportunities and achievements of all the people in my life, whether family, friends or fellow believers. Help me to appreciate all that You have given me and to be grateful for Your provision, protection and presence in my life. 

*Ephesians 6:12*  - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

3. Ask God to take away any form of direct or indirect bitterness you experience when you see other people succeeding more than you do or in places where you are not able to. Pray that God will take away the jealousy in our hearts, that burns so much that it becomes hatred.

*Romans 12:15*  - Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy (about things that are not sinful nor criminal); share tears when they're down. 

 

4. Pray that God will give you the grace to resist every temptation to wallow in jealousy and envy, but instead be grateful in all situations.

*Proverbs 17:22a* - A joyful heart is good medicine! 

 

5. Ask God to uproot every tree of jealousy and envy that has been planted in you by the devil. That he will forgive you of all the sins that you may have committed as a result of jealousy and envy, and wash you clean with his precious blood.  

*James 4:7* -  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.