Jealousy is a real problem in the church today. A HUGE problem. People don’t seem to be content with who they are in Christ or what God has given to them, so they covet others’ gifts, jobs, ministries, personalities, lifestyles.

Here’s what Scripture says about being jealous:

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every
vile practice. James 3:16

Envy makes the bones rot. Proverbs 14:30

And Galatians 5:20 says that jealousy is a work of the flesh.

Jealousy may sound like this… “I sing, but I wish I had her voice – it’s angelic. They chose her and not me. She has more followers on social media than I do. Her husband treats her so well, while mine is too busy working to pay attention. God is opening awesome doors for her ministry, while I’m not seeing any for my ministry. Their kids have graduated college, while mine are still floundering. She’s so outgoing and people just love her.”

Hence, nothing good ever comes from jealousy. Jealousy is often the cause of marriage breakdowns, relationship disintegrations, ministry failures, and church divisions.

Yet we may be jealous and not even realize it. Before you go any further reading this post, do a quick evaluation. Ask God to show you if you’re exhibiting any jealousy toward someone. Write down what He tells you.

Now let’s proceed with 4 ways we can overcome jealousy…

1. Spend time focusing on what God says about YOU!
Focus on these things…

You are…
LOVED – 1 John 3:1 (See how very much our Father loves us…)
TREASURED – Deuteronomy 7:6 (The Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.)
IMPORTANT – 1 Peter 2:9 (You are a chosen people…God’s very own possession.)
UNIQUE – Psalm 139:14 (You made me wonderfully complex…)
BEAUTIFUL/MASTERPIECE – Ephesians 2:10 (We are God’s masterpiece…)
VALUABLE – 1 Corinthians 6:20 (You were bought at a price.)

Start with these (and then add more to your list). Take time to write these beautiful passages on note cards and recite them again and again. Eventually, you’ll begin to believe what God says about you and you’ll have no need to be jealous of others.

2. Learn to celebrate others’ successes!

Solomon says that there is a season for everything: “A time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4).” Today, your friend, your colleague, your spouse, your ministry partner, or your sibling might be dancing because something good has happened in their life. Rejoice with them. Celebrate with them. Enjoy their good fortune.

Just because someone is enjoying a success doesn’t mean God has forgotten about you. He loves to honor ALL His children. Be faithful to Him and He will be faithful to you. Jealousy will rob you of joy. Let go of it. 

3. Be thankful for what you have and what God has given to you!

There’s not a better way to live than with a thankful heart. Paul writes: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The reality is that we are rich. God has given us EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3). He showed GREAT mercy to us (something we are not deserving of) by dying on the cross, and has poured out His love for us. He simply laid down His life for you and me. So, instead of grumbling, complaining and being jealous, we need to practice thankfulness. Say it out loud. “Oh Lord, I’m so thankful for ___________________.”

4. Seek God’s approval above others’ approval!

We often look for approval from those around us: our spouse, our children, our pastor, our teacher, our leader, our boss, our friends. Let me remind you that each of them are human and are incapable of giving you the accolades you desire, no matter how much they try. And here’s another thing… by seeking their approval, they are put in a position they cannot live up to. And they will feel like a failure.

By seeking God’s approval above others keeps us from becoming jealous.

I hope you were encouraged through this post and I hope you will pass this on to others. Perhaps this is just the word they need to hear.

Blessings,

Coming this fall!