Is Jealousy a Sin? Make it Strengthen your Faith, change it!

 When we think about Jealousy as related to Prayer, we can begin to see how it can be sinful, and is related to envy and covetousness. Many the world presents "7 deadly sins", however, biblically speaking there are many sins, and none in the Bible are actually called "deadly" nor are the referred to specifically as "The Seven Deadly Sins" 

Proverb 6:16-19 describes 6 sins that are an "abomination" to God

"These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren."

Also Sins are deadly, and actually are the cause of death which the Bible does scripturally support. 

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And if we look for lists of Sin in the Bible we can find many but those that are related to Jealousy we find these. 

Romans 1:29-32 "29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." 

I highlighted "covetousness" because it relates to jealousy, and I highlighted "unloving" because it is the opposite of envy, love is a virtue which is anti-envious. 

Galatians 5:19-21 "19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

I highlighted "jealousies" for obvious reasons but, also "envy" as it relates to jealousy. If we review the difference between each we can see that envy is when you want something someone has, and jealousy is when you feel someone is trying to take something you have. The reason for these to be correlated is because sometimes envy, is the result of jealousy, because what someone has, is sometimes believed to be something you should have had. You wanted it, they got it, so not only do they have it and you want it but they have it and YOU should have gotten it to you think they took it from you. 

Now, to the reason it is not only a Sin but also a very evil way of thinking of something and a way to blaspheme God in the process. Prayer. 

Imagine that you are neighbors with someone, you know that they are going through something tough, or are having financial struggles, or are going through some trial, or trouble. You as a good Christian are praying and you pray for them to come through their trouble, you pray.

God, please help my neighbor with the struggle that they are going through, I pray that Your will be done in their lives, that You help them through this trouble and You send your Holy Spirit to show them the way and the truth of Your will. 

The struggle is God does is asked, God makes things right, God hears your prayers and answers them. rather than be happy for your neighbor, and happy that God's will was done, you are jealous, envious, covetous. Why? If you truly prayed for them, and you truly wanted God to intercede for them you should NEVER be jealous, or envious, or covetous. What you should do is praise God for what he has done. You should be happy, joyous, thankful, knowing that your faith and God's good grace has been shown. The faith you had in God to pray, was answered and demonstrated. 

Don't let your faith be weakened by praying and then being upset because good things happen, Pray, Listen to what God wants, and then be thankful and faithful that God will answer those prayers. When he does, hold it up as an example of his awesome and unending power. Let the success of others that you have prayed for be a source of strengthening your faith. God is Good! 

Can you Boast, a Little?

 There are many things in life that are good things, good things that many people have great pride in and have a desire to boast or promote themselves. The issue being that there are some directions given by the Bible that help us to understand when it is appropriate, or if it is appropriate at all. 

"16 I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. 17 What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! 20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. 21 To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also."

- II Corinthians 11:16-21

The grace of God has been given to each of us, it is a gift, freely given and not earned through any works. 

"9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

- Ephesians 2:9-10

These two verses are given to help us to understand two things; 1. Grace is given to us, and we as sinners will boast but we should not boast of any good works that we believed earned us God's Grace. 2. We can be proud of the accomplishments that God has put in front of us and helped us to achieve, which exemplify our struggle to live up to being worthy of the grace given us. All Accomplishments are the result of the skills, knowledge and drive given us by God. 

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 

- II Timothy 2:15

Pride places us in opposition to Jesus, whose flawless character He succinctly described with these words: 

"I am gentle and humble of heart"

- Matthew 11:29 

C. S. Lewis astutely noted, God desires not only that we do good works but that we excel in doing good work. Regrettably, in many churches, we have conflated sinful pride regarding ourselves with godly pride in the work we are called to undertake. This confusion has led many churches to tolerate mediocrity, fearing that the pursuit of excellence might lead to sinful pride.

The proper equilibrium, as demonstrated by our Lord, lies in producing the finest work possible while acknowledging it as a "sign" (as described in John's gospel) of the imminent arrival of God's kingdom. Outstanding work serves as an indicator pointing towards God because it reflects the inherent goodness and abundant excellence of God's kingdom. While Joe Namath's theological acumen may have been lacking when he remarked, "It's not bragging if you can do it," the reality is that it isn't boasting when we attribute the credit to God—not only in public but within the depths of our hearts. Achieving excellence doesn't grant us bragging privileges over other vintners, or in other professions such as teaching, artistry, medicine, or any field where we apply our skills. Instead, we should heed St. Paul's instruction: "let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." We have cause to take pride in our endeavors within the noble calling of our daily work, all while maintaining humility, recognizing that it is God 

"who works in us both to will and to work" 

- Philippians 2:13

I myself give all Glory and Honor to God, his wonderful countenance and blessing that he has put upon my path have been on display and I hope to ensure that my own light is not hidden. 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 

- Matthew 5:16