Jealousy and Overcoming Jealousy and Envy Requires a Heart towards' God

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1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is not Jealous

Overcoming jealousy , is an emotional issue that has negatively affected the human race since the beginning of time.

The very first recorded act in the bible gives an accounting of the first recorded murder in human history-when Cain murdered his younger brother Abel; Genesis 4:1-15.

No doubt, you are probably wondering why in the world did Cain attack and murder his younger brother Abel?

Cain killed Abel because God required them both to bring their first fruits stewardship , as a sacrifice unto the Lord.

However, God was not pleased with Cain’s heart and Cain’s jealousy eventually turned to hatred .

And because of Cain's hatred, he eventually killed his brother in the field as they were both working out in the field due to jealousy , which in full blossom turned to hatred.

Don’t worry I’m not going to give you a sermon on the mount speech, but as a Christian believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I think it is important to provide a biblical based perspective of jealous motives, and what God’s word says about jealousy and how you can overcome envy in your own life.

About me , I have been helping organizations and private individuals for over 10 years now in goal setting and helping organizations' to develop a strategic plan for their companies smart goals and strategic vision.

I can’t tell you the number of times how covetness has wrecked and ruined organizations, people’s jobs, career goals , business goals , and even their once very successful relationships have now ended in dreaded failures because of jealousy and covetness.

Overcoming Jealousy Requires Hope and Faith

Take a look at the world around you, read today’s headlines and take notice how many times that the topic of greed and desire are in the news. You can’t escape it, someone is either breaking up and ending a relationships or a once happy marriage has now sadly ended in bitterness ending with divorce.

Maybe you too are envious of someone or of something that you don’t have. It could be something like a new home, or financial assets in your money management quests. Or it could be physical attributes. Apart from God, there is no way to overcome envy in your own life. James 3:16 says; For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice . Think about this important verse.

Doesn’t this verse strike a cord with you when examining the sinful state of man? From the time a child is born into this world, it is a ME first mentality , I want it now, and the fact that someone already has it makes you want it even more. Jealous motives breeds resentment, which breeds anger, which eventually breeds hate death and destruction if left to go unchecked.

Do you see the pattern here? Only God can enable you in overcoming jealousy in your own life but you have to have the self discipline in wanting to change your jealousy ways in life.

Greed and desire are part of all human societies and cultures, and sadly-is an accepted way of life. Even today’s commercials and advertising moguls cater to the mindset of a Me NOW mentality in their quest for making materialism the new age god of this age.

Somehow, by your having the new shiny car, or the brand new house, the designer clothes, the latest and fastest technological toys , or the latest cosmetic procedure-you will now be the talk of the town and you will be the desire of all your friends. At least this is the message that modern day consumerism is telling us which I don't buy into.

Overcoming Greed and Desire Requires Meditating on God's Word

Ask God to come into your life, and ask Him how to meditate , believing in His son Jesus Christ who died for all mankind, and bore the sins of all men, in paying atonement for yours and everyone’s sins in life. Pray to God and ask him to remove the sin of greed and desire from your heart. It may take time, but God does answer prayer in His time providing your heart is sincere.

Will it happen overnight, probably not. Greed and desire like fear , failures , or how to be happy in life, are very common human emotions that all human beings experience in life. But only God can help you if your heart turns towards God and not of this world.

Prayer like anything else in life requires self motivation and self discipline . Only by spending time in the word, reading the bible, and seeking God’s guidance in helping you in overcoming jealousy, will you know how to succeed in defeating jealousy in your own life.

Be Thankful for What You Have

Many people go though life always trying to keep up with the Jones.

This is an empty pursuit that you cannot win. By man’s sinful condition, man's heart can never be satisfied.

There is always the next car, the next house, the next new toy, the next wife or husband that will provide the peace and happiness, but it is a lie.

Deuteronomy 5: 21 tells us; You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

There is a reason why God made this a command-and how well are you and the rest of the world following it?

Remember: ”The only Unfulfilled Goals in Your Life are the Ones you Never Attempt”

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