The Struggle with Jealousy Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 18:5–9 Key verse: Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Everything was going well for young David. Saul had given him a position of authority. He also had access to the king’s household and often spent his evenings in the king’s presence. Saul gave no indication of having any envy toward David. Yet both jealousy and envy were brewing within the king’s heart. The only way jealousy can flourish is to have an acceptable atmosphere in which it feels at home and can grow. In reality, jealousy is a symptom of a deeper problem. And while it needs to be dealt with swiftly, you also need to ask God to show you the root cause of any envy that has set up shop in your life. Usually, pride is the taproot of jealousy and envy as well as strife. Saul was pleased with David’s allegiance until one day when he returned from war and overheard the people shouting, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:7). As a result of their cheers, Saul’s need for acceptance evolved into an obnoxious jealousy that ruled his life until his death. Only Christ can free you from the stronghold of pride and its cousins, jealousy and envy. If this is an area of concern in your life, be honest about it. Tell the Lord you want nothing to do with anything that keeps you from enjoying His fellowship. Pray that He will remove any hint of jealousy so that you may live free in Christ Jesus. Dear Lord, please free me from pride, jealousy, and envy. I want to live free in You.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 09:31:39 +0000
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