Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Pt 3 The Landmines of Jealousy & Envy
1 Samuel 18:6-29
Jealousy is a landmine that strikes hard. If not addressed and resolved it has the potential to cause deep strife within our lives. And if it is not defused, it can eat a hole in a persons heart and emotions.
Exposing the Truth About Jealousy
Remember Satan’s Primary Goal: Is to shift your focus away from God and onto your circumstances. He loves for your eyes to become fixed on yourself-feelings, your rights, and your needs.
What comes to mind when the tempting words cross your mind: What about me?
The tactical outline of the enemy is utilizing the old adage “one thing leads to another” Jealousy leads to envy and envy to anger and anger to fear.
If we are struggling with jealousy you are probably experiencing problems in other areas. We can not forget who the Lord is to us. Who is He to You and who are you to Him?
Psalm 84:11 11For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Detonating the Landmine of Jealousy
We all go through times of feeling we’re going nowhere fast. However, as long as we maintain our desire to live for Him He will show us the right course.
God’s number one goal is to draw us into a close relationship with Him through Christ
Becoming hooked by feelings of jealousy means we are out of step with God’s plan. How have I stepped out of God’s Plans?
Jealousy does not belong in the life of a believer because goes against the very heartbeat of God.
Jealousy divides our mind and creates an atmosphere of resentment
Whenever we allow the enemy to divert our focus from God through jealousy or another landmine, we will experience a certain degree of spiritual defeat. What ways have my mind been divided?
Jealousy can create an atmosphere of anxiety and fear within our hearts.
God will use situations to show us His view of us
John 21:20-22 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “LORD, who is going to betray you?”) ^21When Peter saw him, he asked, “LORD, what about him?” ²²Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
The perfect answer to the struggle of jealousy-What is that to you? You follow me! Focus your heart on Jesus and quit keeping score.
James 3:3-18 3 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Focus on what we do have instead of what we don’t. How have I taken for granted the things and relationships God has given me?
Our Situation From God’s Perspective
As stated before Jealousy starts inside us-usually with a thought or a feeling that another person has more than we do.
The earmarks of jealousy include:
Comparison– I wish I had, God has not done
His View: He knows what we need and what we can handle. He knows or faithfulness that’s in our heart
Competition– once you compare your close to the tripwire of detonating the landmine. This can breed anxiety, depression, hopelessness because it tempts you to ask AM I as good as or even better than him or her
Gods View: The question you really need to ask is, Am I doing my best for my Love for God
Fear– A jealous person is fearful of being replaced by somebody or something. This is the nature of Jealousy and envy. Strife and dissension are two of the devil’s favorite weapons for war. He wants us to be at odds with God and others.
God’s View: when you complain to Me It creates conflict in your heart. Conflict not just with the person who is the object of your jealousy but also with me as being your Lord. If you’re in disagreement with God, then we are in sin.
The Fruit from Jealousy
The consequences of jealousy and envy are deadly. Like the swarm yellow jackets have that are disturbed out of their nest so it is with jealousy and envy if you step in their landmine. You will have an entire nest of consequences coming toward you.
A Critical Spirit– jealousy breeds cynicism (sarcasm, dissension, negativity)
A Divided Mine– It will cause you not to focus clearly. In fact, it will keep you distracted
Anger, Bitterness, and Resentfulness– You can only suppress bitterness for so long because it is written in the eyes. Anger and bitterness is written on a person’s countenance.
Proverbs 25:23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Genesis 4:6-8 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[a] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
A sense of insecurity– the object of our focus is changed. It never should be inner-focused it should always be upward.
The Wrong Focus: Focus is a key element to living the Christian Life. Whatever you focused on has you
James 3:16 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
A Loss of Privileges and Opportunities– Jealousy positions us for a crash in our emotions as well as our professional lives. When there is no peace, contentment, or happiness within our hearts others have a hard time working with us
Broken Fellowship with God– Jealousy is a self-centered emotion. Instead of having a grateful heart for what God has given, we spend time thinking about what others have or what we don’t have or wished we had. We cant pray with true devotion because we ask God to deal with the other person instead of God deal with me.
Physical Sickness– All these landmines can eat away at our hearts
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Disarming Jealousy
First: We need to admit that we have jealousy and some envy
Second: Acknowledge we are in conflict with God
Third: Thank God foe what He has done in our lives and even the people who are the source of our conflict. Resist the temptation to compare
Fourth: Ask God to help us see the heart of the person at the center of the conflict. They may be dealing with something too
Fifth: Be willing to wait for God to work.
Sixth: Ask God to help us hear His voice over the clamor of the world. Jealousy shouts for attention
Seventh: We need to delight ourselves in God. Psalm 37:4 When we do we will find that HE will give us the desires of our hearts.
How do I handle the jealousy of another person toward me?
First: Ask God what do I need to learn through this situation. This means being able to lay down your own will and desires.
Second: Make a conscious decision to ignore any harsh words. Once again surrender your rights to defend yourself. Let God be your defender
Third: Ask God is there something you have done to create the atmosphere of jealousy
Fourth: Show kindness to the person who is struggling with jealousy toward you
Fifth: Pray for your attitude to be changed and also for the person involved to focus on the Lord and His Purpose instead of self. Keep Your Heart Focused on the Lord