When I was twelve years old, I won a prize at the end of the school year for academic achievement, a novel about horses. I didn’t think it was the greatest story, but I was proud of the handwritten inscription in the flyleaf with my name and date for all to see.The younger sister of my close friend next door asked to borrow the book. We all called her “horse crazy.” When Sharon returned my book, the flyleaf was completely missing! I was stunned, but I don’t remember what took place after this. I don’t remember if Sharon denied destroying the page, or if she confessed her terrible deed. Was she trying to make the book her own, pretending the horse story was hers? Or was she jealous of my success? Whatever it was, I was heartbroken that the inscription at the front of my prize book was gone forever.
A clear instance of jealousy stands out in the Old Testament. King Saul had recognized David’s capabilities, and so made him a commander over his army. He soon became jealous of David’s exploits, however. Saul got angry when David’s army returned home from a victorious battle and the women came to meet the king with a song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (I Samuel 18:7 NLT)
“Jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (Proverbs 14:30b NLT)
Jealousy can be deeply rooted in a person. Like a cancer, jealousy may be initially hidden and spreads quietly until it eventually shows up in destructive behaviour.
“Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.” (Proverbs 27:4 NLT)
Jealousy is listed as one of the desires of our sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21, and in verse 26 Paul advises, “Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” (NLT)
“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.” (1Peter 2:1 NLT)
It’s easy to be jealous of the success of another. We are continually admonished not to let jealousy overtake us. Paul instructs us, “Be happy with those who are happy.” (Romans 12:15a NLT)
We are all unique and equally loved by God. What He does for one person, He can do for another, according to our circumstances. Let’s celebrate the success of others, instead of being jealous of them.
Lord, help us to rejoice with others when they are successful, instead of allowing jealousy to creep up and overtake us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
