July 9                                                                                   The Power of God’s Word
If you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic.
–James 3:14-15 (NLT)
WATCH OUT FOR JEALOUSY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself longing for someone or something you don’t have?
Do you feel empty and compare yourself with others and obsess for love?
If you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart
Don’t cover up the truth; seek God first, be faithful and he will impart.
Jealousy is a poison that contaminates your whole person
It can disguise itself in compliments, concern or reason
Jealousy is rooted in selfishness, pride and envy
It binds you to lies and is a scheme of the enemy.
Watch out for any form of jealousy in your life! The bible cautions us in Galatians 5:19-21 about the manifestations of the sinful nature. Jealousy is one of them. Many bible stories show the aftermath of jealousy. Cain killed Abel because of jealousy. Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him because their father favored Joseph more than them. Saul plotted to exterminate David because of jealousy. Jealousy roots from selfishness and is not from God.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me away from any form of envy or jealousy.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with jealousy according to the book of James?