Jealousy, the Stealthy Sin?

[righteousdude2]

Proverbs 13:40 (NIV) - "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

I call jealousy stealthy because it is one of the sins that no matter how hard we try to hold off sins like fornication, adultery, porn, gossip, anger, cussing, hate, unforgiving another, etc.. Envy jealousy is one sin that tends to sneak up and get into the hearts and minds of so many believers, and it can all start with something as innocent as someone you are talking to, or overhear, comparing you [in a negative or positive way] with another person or their ministry.

From here, if the devil can get a foothold, a believer can go on one wild ride that takes them up and down the emotional side of that comparison and its effect on you!

So, how do you handle the spirit of jealousy when it tries to get its hands on you? Think of Saul and his relationship with a young, enthusiastic David? Then remember how that relationship changed as David grew more popular in the eyes and hearts of the people, and Saul grew more envious, even unto trying to kill David to be rid of the next King? :wavey:

BTW - Please feel free to share, and be candid, as this could help someone else who may be suffering from something similar and not be cognizant or honest enough to admit! Don't forget, your witness or testimony is not just empty words, but a sermon in action. I've seen many people convited and delievered of sin(s) from hearing another speak about what God did for them! Thanks for helping to make this a great healing topic! :thumbs:

 

[prophet]

Jealousy is an attribute of God, and is not sin.

Envy is almost always sin.

Exo 20:5
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;


2Co 11:2
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

 

[HAMel]

...but prophet, that's God! Personally, I consider jealousy to be a sin but to each their own, I suppose.

 

[prophet]

...but prophet, that's God! Personally, I consider jealousy to be a sin but to each their own, I suppose.

The second quote was Paul.

 

[HAMel]

...and Paul expressed a godly jealousy.

The jealousy as referenced in this thread is one being torn out of the frame because the guy across the street just bought a new car and was able to pay cash for it.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Before I became a Christian, I suffered from jealousy, but since then, not so much. I suppose I looked on others, early in my Christian walk, and saw them getting so much more from their relationship with God than I did, but as I studied the Bible and grew in my faith, I came to realize it is, truly, a matter of growth.

You have to learn to crawl before you can walk, and you have to learn to walk before you can run. As we grow older and wiser in our faith, I believe our jealousies and envies pass away, as we begin to focus on our relationship with Christ, and not worry about the relationship others have, or don't have, with Him.

 

[Sapper Woody]

Jealousy is an attribute of God, and is not sin.

Envy is almost always sin.

Exo 20:5
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;


2Co 11:2
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

IMO, envy is jealousy, but jealousy is not necessarily envy, or sin. Envy is wanting something that someone has, or covetousness. Jealousy is much broader. I am jealous over my wife. If she were to start seeing another man, I'd be hurt and angry.

This is the jealousy that God has towards us. He loves us, but if we turn from Him towards an idol (whatever it may be) He is angry and hurt. This is also what Paul was saying. He was jealous over the congregation, in the sense that if they turned from his teaching to false doctrine, he'd be angry and hurt.

Now, on the OP, envy is indeed stealthy. I personally want a new Camaro. What is the driving force? A desire to have something nice? That would not be envy. But if it's because one of my joes bought one and I wish to have the same status as he does, then that is envy. I might not even realize what circumstances made me desire a new Camaro. So yes, I think it is not only stealthy, but also one of the most easily rationalized sins.

 

[righteousdude2]

Thanks....

IMO, envy is jealousy, but jealousy is not necessarily envy, or sin. Envy is wanting something that someone has, or covetousness. Jealousy is much broader. I am jealous over my wife. If she were to start seeing another man, I'd be hurt and angry.

This is the jealousy that God has towards us. He loves us, but if we turn from Him towards an idol (whatever it may be) He is angry and hurt. This is also what Paul was saying. He was jealous over the congregation, in the sense that if they turned from his teaching to false doctrine, he'd be angry and hurt.

Now, on the OP, envy is indeed stealthy. I personally want a new Camaro. What is the driving force? A desire to have something nice? That would not be envy. But if it's because one of my joes bought one and I wish to have the same status as he does, then that is envy. I might not even realize what circumstances made me desire a new Camaro. So yes, I think it is not only stealthy, but also one of the most easily rationalized sins.

....and I think that there's been some rationalizing in earlier posts! :smilewinkgrin: