Cain (in Genesis 4) is the very first example of jealousy we find in the Bible. God commanded that a specific type of offering be given, Cain takes a short cut and Abel doesn't. God looked at Abel's offering with favor but God did not look at Cain's offering with favor. Cain became angry with God and was jealous of Abel. His jealousy got the better of him and he led Abel out to field and killed him. What started out as anger, led to jealousy, and ultimately to murder. That is quite a slippery slope.
How does this pertain to us today? People don't go out killing every person they are jealous of. This is true, however the question you need to ask yourself is 'Has jealousy ever led to something good?'. If you were being honest I am sure you would say no. Jealousy leads to hatred, broken relationships, bitterness, low self-esteem, depression, feeling unloved, feeling worthless, guilt, etc. Children can be jealous of siblings, teens are jealous of the popular people in school, or the friend that is dating the person they happen to like. Adults are jealous of better relationships, better jobs, others getting promoted, others getting paid more, others having more money, others having a better life. Everywhere you look jealousy runs rampant. No wonder we find it hard to be happy. We are so busy comparing our present condition with the condition of those around us we have lost ourselves in this sea of jealousy. So how do we stop from drowning in this dangerous sea?
The answer to that question begins with God. He wants us to focus on Him and our lives. When we focus on other people then we open the door to become jealous of them. This jealousy becomes a slippery slope and we end up hurt, depressed, bitter, or dejected. The results of jealousy are not positive.
If someone was jealous that a co-worker was promoted instead of them, and purposely caused them to fail and lose their promotion. If that promotion was then given to that person, of course, they would be pleased about being promoted, but would also feel guilt and shame over it and probably wonder if it was really deserved. Jealousy can cause us to act in ways that we would otherwise not act.
If we were to focus on ourselves, building our own character, we would become better people; and if we were to focus on God and His relationship with us, we would see ourselves and others through His eyes. In God's eyes there is no competition, He loves us all equally.
How does this pertain to us today? People don't go out killing every person they are jealous of. This is true, however the question you need to ask yourself is 'Has jealousy ever led to something good?'. If you were being honest I am sure you would say no. Jealousy leads to hatred, broken relationships, bitterness, low self-esteem, depression, feeling unloved, feeling worthless, guilt, etc. Children can be jealous of siblings, teens are jealous of the popular people in school, or the friend that is dating the person they happen to like. Adults are jealous of better relationships, better jobs, others getting promoted, others getting paid more, others having more money, others having a better life. Everywhere you look jealousy runs rampant. No wonder we find it hard to be happy. We are so busy comparing our present condition with the condition of those around us we have lost ourselves in this sea of jealousy. So how do we stop from drowning in this dangerous sea?
The answer to that question begins with God. He wants us to focus on Him and our lives. When we focus on other people then we open the door to become jealous of them. This jealousy becomes a slippery slope and we end up hurt, depressed, bitter, or dejected. The results of jealousy are not positive.
If someone was jealous that a co-worker was promoted instead of them, and purposely caused them to fail and lose their promotion. If that promotion was then given to that person, of course, they would be pleased about being promoted, but would also feel guilt and shame over it and probably wonder if it was really deserved. Jealousy can cause us to act in ways that we would otherwise not act.
If we were to focus on ourselves, building our own character, we would become better people; and if we were to focus on God and His relationship with us, we would see ourselves and others through His eyes. In God's eyes there is no competition, He loves us all equally.