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Jealousy by definition in the negative sense is, “being suspicious, emulous, or full of competition.” Jealousy is close kin to envy, which is defined as uneasiness, or discontentment at the sight of superior excellence, reputation, prosperity or happiness enjoyed by another. These two things, jealousy and envy, are rampant in our churches and in our movement. Envy is so vile and destructive that God described it as rottenness of the bones. Here are some things about it:

First, think about the Course of Jealousy— what path will it take. When one becomes infected which this sin the damage can be immeasurable. Cain saw that God had respect for his brother Able’s offering and that God didn’t have respect for the one he presented. He responded by killing his brother. I personally have witnessed great meetings and conferences killed by a lone preacher who was jealous of another preacher. I have seen church members kill churches because they were jealous of a new house or car that the preacher or some other member got. Follow the course of jealousy and you will find a lot of death. King Saul became jealous of David. This jealousy resulted in several attempts on David’s life. Where jealousy is present you will find division. This may be in a church or it may be in a home with a step parent. Jealousy keeps people apart who should be together. If you look at Saul you will find his jealousy also led to depression. You will remember he became so depressed he had musicians come in to try to lift his spirits. Ultimately jealousy was so devastating that he took his own life.

Second, think about the Source of Jealousy—where does it originate. Make no mistake about jealousy and envy. They are problems of the heart. They stem from insecurity and they lead to insanity. People are not jealous of the ones who are behind them. It is always the ones out in front of whom people will be jealous. If God uses one man more than another some get very jealous. Billy Sunday was so hated by preachers according to his biography that in many cities ads were taken out to attack him. You would expect this from the wicked but the majority of the attacks came from jealous preachers. Jealousy points out innate character flaws. For example, some are too LAZY to lose weight. Instead of taking on their problems they become jealous of those whom they feel look better and attack them. Preachers do this with churches that see more people saved or have bigger crowds. Rather than work harder, they lash out in jealousy and slander and defame men of whom they are jealous.

Third, think about the Force of Jealousy—what will it do. Sammy Allen has said at the beginning of every camp meeting I’ve been too in Resaca that he knows of nothing that will grieve the spirit of God faster than jealousy. He is right. John Dryden called jealousy, the jaundice of the soul. Jealousy will always quench the spirit of God where it is present. The jealous envious spirit is not of God. Ultimataly, it will lead to God simply rejecting you as was the case with Saul.

Finally what is the Recourse—how do you fight it. Jealousy must be hit head on where it exists. It is too deadly to be left alone. It will destroy a family. It will destroy a church. It will destroy a movement. Where jealousy is alive humility is dead. Jealousy and humility can not co-exist. As believers we are commanded to prefer our brother, to take the lower seat. John the Baptist, without a jealous bone in his body said, “He must increase and I must decrease.” The Christian life is filled with paradoxes. If you want to be the greatest, you become the least, but for most it is just much easier to just get jealous. Charles Spurgeon while addressing this subject wrote, “Be content with thine own lot, if thou canst not better it, but do not look upon thy neighbour, and wish that he were as thyself. Love him, and then thou wilt not envy him.” Great advice.

Pastor Steven E. Mays – Faith Baptist Church, Laurens, SC.
BroMays@FaithBaptistTrumpet.org