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Have you been struggling with comparison in your life? This post is all about the dangers and how to start overcoming jealousy.
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@PriscillaDuPreez
Envy Starts Small
Have you ever heard the saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy”? While this is true it can be taken a step further. Comparison not only destroys your joy but can destroy your relationship with Christ. To demonstrate the severity of jealousy and envy let’s look at the story of King Saul and David.
In 1 Samuel chapter 18, the story begins with Saul’s growing fear and jealousy towards David. Saul began to compare himself to David after he defeated the Philistine.
And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
1 Samuel 18:7-9, KJV
This statement clarifies that Saul was extremely jealous and demonstrates his envious motives throughout the rest of 1 Samuel. His jealousy was fueled by dissatisfaction, insecurity, and fear of David. King Saul knew David was close to God and how he could overrule him. Throughout the story, King Saul’s jealousy grows stronger and stronger to the point of no return. King Saul went all across Israel to find and kill David. Saul would even kill several people who helped David escape Saul’s hands (1 Samuel 22: 6-23). However, despite the horrible things David endured at the hand of King Saul he remained close to God, unwilling to act as Saul did. He knew Saul was in God’s hands, leading David to spare Saul’s life twice. We recommend you read 1 Samuel chapter 18 to 31 to study this in depth. This is the story we will utilize to display what envy and comparison in our lives manifest.
How Envy Effects You & Your Relationship with God
@SageFriedman
1. It Produces Hatred in Your Heart
1 Corinthians 13 is all about love and what it encompasses. It specifically, mentions that love does not envy. (1 Corinthians 13:4). Envy in the heart produces the opposite of love which is hate. When sin takes root in our hearts every evil can potentially enter (James 3:16). Therefore it’s important to guard your heart from envy and any other sin to ensure your heart is in the right posture, obeying Christ (1 Peter 2:1, Ephesians 6:5-6).
2. Disobedience towards God
As seen in the story of King Saul and David envy can grow leading to more and more sin. Once a sin becomes a habitual part of your life it is bound to lead you into a cycle of disobedience. As mentioned previously it produces hatred in your heart which leads to disobedience (James 3:16).
3. A Lack of Gratitude
If you feel like God is not giving you what your heart wants there is no place for gratitude. Unfortunately, the nature of envy will produce a lack of gratitude.
4. Peace & Joy Diminish
Proverbs 14:30 puts it best. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. When you are constantly focusing on what you don’t have natural discontentment occurs. A heart that focuses on God will have peace and joy as discussed in Philippians 4.
Combating Thoughts of Envy & Comparision
Now, that we understand the severity of envy and the fruits of it, let’s tackle it. How can we start overcoming jealousy and envy? The answer is quite simple. As mentioned in the story of King Saul and David, envy is fueled by dissatisfaction or discontent in our hearts. Think about it, when do you catch yourself comparing yourself to someone else? It’s usually when the person has something your heart desires, but you don’t possess.
Combat jealousy, envy, and comparison by delighting in the Lord. When you rely solely on the Lord for your contentment you will be satisfied. Some practical, biblical tips to further remind yourself to delight in the Lord are:
Memorize and meditate on verses on envy and on having contentment in the Lord
Write these Bible verses and surround yourself with them (in your room, notepad, car, etc.)
Pray to God to remove envy in your heart
Make an effort to thank God daily for everything you have (write it down or simply speak it)
Study and meditate on His word continuously
Remember Envy Creeps In
At first, an envious thought or comparison may seem small and innocent. However, it’s important to reflect on King Saul. The one thought he had turned into a several-year pursuit to kill David. His envy and jealousy overthrew him to the point of no return. Keep this story in mind the next time you catch a jealous thought or act of comparison. Remember to learn from God’s word how to delight in Him with full content.
and before you go...
@NoPlaceLeftTraining
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