Jealousy is like a spiritual acid that eats away at a person vitality and verdure. Acid is corrosive in nature which means it is able to destroy something progressively by chemical action. It is also very interesting to note that acid also can be defined as a sharp, bitter, or sarcastic quality in speech or writing. Wow isn’t that an eye opener. The next time someone speaks sharp, bitter, sarcastic words about or around you, just go ahead and neutralize those destructive daggers, they’ll fall to the ground ineffective and void of power.
If not neutralized the erosive effect of jealousy tends to immediately break down or wear away at whatever it comes in contact with. What use to look vibrant and fresh now looks old, worn and lifeless.
Neutralized defined:
• To make something ineffective, especially by removing its ability to act as a threat or obstacle.
The bible says jealousy is cruel as the grave (Songs of Solomon 8:6). It is contrary to the plans and purposes of God.
Proverbs 14:30 (AMP)
A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.
1 Corinthians 3:3 (AMP)
For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?
James 3:14, 16 (AMP)
But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
Now we can see from the above scriptures why jealousy is cruel. It is unrelenting and destructive. It is brutal and malicious. It is mean and nasty. It is spiteful, unkind and vindictive. We, Christians, must guard our hearts against this deadly enemy. The bible describes jealousy as bitter, which means it is very sour or disgusting to digest. It leaves a bad taste in ones mouth.
Many times when people allow jealousy to operate in their lives it is not always obvious at first glance. It will many times sheepishly rear its head and bite in a casual way. The bible says wherever there is jealousy there is confusion or unrest, disharmony and rebellion. Jealousy is rebellious against the character and nature of God. It is selfish in its pursuit and regards not the plans and purposes of God. Jealousy is rooted in pride; it has no loyalty to God in nature.
When we yield to the flesh, the old sin nature, jealousy is a product. When we yield to the flesh, jealousy does not ask for permission to flow and grow in our lives. The flesh cultivates and stimulates jealousy.
The only way we can keep our lives clean and flesh free is to yield to the Spirit and His workings in our lives. We must follow and follow Him closely. We must listen to Him and obey quickly. We must be loyal to His Words. We must be reverent and esteem His voice. We must allow the Word of God to root out, pull down and destroy all the deceptive works of the flesh, while planting, cultivating and building the fruit of the spirit. When we grow in the knowledge of the Love of God we will never be controlled by jealousy again.
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