"You are still worldly, (controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity). For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not unspiritual and are you not walking like ordinary men, (unchanged by faith?)
1 Corinthian 3:3 Amplified Study Bible
Today we look at a very common area to us all - JEALOUSY.
Jealousy can be described as resentment against a person enjoying success or advantage. The common symptoms of jealousy are:
ANGER towards a person or situation that is interfering with something you care about.
RESENTMENT of a friend or partner when they can't spend time with you for some reason.
DIFFICULTY feeling happy for a co-worker when they receive something you wanted.
We only have to look at Joseph in the book of Genesis to get the idea. He was favoured by Jacob, his father, and therefore, received all of his love and attention. His brothers began to resent this and it led to their jealousy towards him so much, that they plotted to kill him. They eventually sold him into slavery. Genesis ch 37 - 50.
The New Living Translation quotes our text as:
For you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren't you living like people of the world.' 1 Corinthians 3:3.
The word 'Worldly', in the biblical sense, is used for immature Christians that lack control in this area. They are on the milk of the word. No one should expect this condition to last though. Here, Paul was surprised that the Corinthians had not yet grown into spiritual maturity and become able to distinguish between good and evil. Their behaviour displayed envy, strife and was divisive.
If we are not careful, we can all become envious towards someone who always seems to receive accolades while we are forgotten. However, we need to guard our hearts and, at the first sign of jealousy, we should nip it in the bud before it becomes dangerous. We need to bring, 'every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.' 2 Corinthians 10:5.
Are you prone to jealousy? Many are but we need to accept that it is spiritually immature to do so and we need to rectify it before it gets out of hand. Commit yourself to read and study 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. It will enrich you, helping you to combat any wrong thinking in the future. You will feel better for doing so.
'Lord Jesus, I come before you this morning and ask you to search within my soul for any sign of jealousy. With Your help, I give it notice to quit - to leave my body in the Name of Jesus and to fill that space with Your Grace. I choose to live for You Lord.
In Jesus' Name. Amen
Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a message