Why Do We Fall Into Envy and Jealousy So Easily?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Why do we fall into envy and jealousy so easily?

Envy or jealousy: that green-eyed monster that can plague us to the point of stress and depression if we allow the talons to grip our thoughts.

Why do we fall into envy or jealousy so easily?

Is there a difference in these two words?

According to the following sources, we can see alternative opinions regarding envy and jealousy.[i]

Envy means discontented longing for someone else’s advantages. Jealousy means unpleasant suspicion, or apprehension of rivalship.
—Theodore M. Bernstein, The Careful Writer, 1965

There are three different ways in which jealous can be used. The most common is ... where the meaning is “fearful of losing attention.” Another broad sense is “possessive” or “protective” ... third usage is in the sense of “envious,” as of another person because of his or her belongings, abilities, or achievements.
—William and Mary Morris, Harper Dictionary of Contemporary Usage (2nd ed.), 1985

Jealousy is properly restricted to contexts involving emotional rivalry; envy is used more broadly of resentful contemplation of a more fortunate person.
—Bryan A. Garner, Garner’s Modern American Usage (3rd ed.), 2009

No matter which word we ascribe to our feelings, the emotion damages us.

Why do we fall into envy and jealousy so easily?

Because of the fallen human nature. Even though our spiritual nature changed at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17), we still have unrenewed minds. This is the battlefield of temptation. This is why we need to apply Romans 12:1: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

When we do let destructive thoughts control our actions, we can’t have progress in our souls. These can damage relationships with others and paralyze our relationship with God. Not because He leaves, but because our emotions block us from hearing Him.

Jealousy got Lucifer kicked out of heaven. The iniquity found in him transformed this angel into satan. Ever since this spiritual tragedy, he has tempted mankind with this emotion. We see how early this started through the examples of Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Hannah and Peninnah, Saul and David, and even Jesus’ disciples.

Jealousy makes us feel as if we aren’t as good as someone else, or that we are being left out. Like there are not enough blessings to go around if another person has something we don’t have.

God tells us in other Scriptures to avoid allowing envious thoughts to dominate our lives such as Proverbs 14:30, Philippians 2:3, and James 3:14-16.

How can we obey these verses when our feelings flutter out of control?

The remedy for conquering envy and jealousy is to know who we are in Christ. We don’t need to look to other people for validation. We have each been given gifts, talents, and assignments that are unique to us. We can’t accomplish these goals if our eyes are on other people and not on Christ.

Meditation on the Word of God is the prescription to heal a jealous mind. There are too many verses in the Bible to list here that show us how to focus on the Lord instead of our thoughts, but here are 3 ways we can do this.

Increase in the knowledge of Christ. Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. (Colossians 1:11)

Practice gratitude. Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Colossians 1:12)

Dwell on what Christ has done for you. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

The more we increase in the knowledge of Christ, the more stable our emotional foundation will be. We will have our eyes opened to the inheritance we have, and we can resist harmful thoughts when we are attacked by comparison. Read the entire book of Ephesians to gain more insight into your identity in Christ. 

We will fall into envy and jealousy by default if our eyes are on ourselves or someone else’s possessions or accomplishments. Looking to Jesus and Him only will melt the hardness of bitter feelings and replace them with the soothing honey of His love.

What other Scriptures can you share that will heal us of jealousy and envy? Join the conversation.

 How can we conquer the green-eyed monster of envy and jealousy? (click to share on X)

 [i] https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/jealous-vs-envious

Image by qianwen deng from Pixabay

How to Focus on the Goodness of God All the Time

  

How to focus on the goodness of God

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

When we don’t get our way about something, or we experience a bad situation, our minds don’t think about the goodness of our heavenly Father.

Our humanity defaults to negative thinking unless we make the effort to turn our thoughts the opposite direction. Much like we change the channel on the TV when the broadcast is not favorable, we can flip the switch on thoughts.

Despite the fallen world we live in, God made a way for His love to shine through and show us His mercy and grace. He is not the author of disaster, He is the answer to our ability to overcome.

The Bible contains numerous verses that reveal the goodness of God. When these Scriptures are scattered through the Word, we don’t always see how many times the benevolence of the Lord is recorded for us.

Here are 6 verses that show us how to focus on the goodness of God all the time.

Do You Ever Feel Unworthy to Ask For God’s Help?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

What happens when we fail but we feel unworthy to ask for God’s help?

The Lord may have rescued us, but we fell into the same repeated behavior.

We can then feel guilty for asking for deliverance again.

We feel unworthy, condemned, and disappointed in ourselves.

If God Already Knows Everything, Why Do We Need to Pray?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Jesus’ disciples saw their Master spend time in prayer. On more than one occasion, He separated Himself and spent the night talking to God. These followers saw the fellowship Jesus had with the Father, and they wanted to know how to do the same.

These men asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He answered them with what we call the Lord’s Prayer or the Model Prayer. His instructions, given in Matthew chapter six, were preceded by the following verses.

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:7–8 emphasis mine)

Jesus told His followers, and us, that vain repetition is not the way to talk to God. Prayer is not a recited formula, but a heart to heart conversation with our heavenly Father.

Why would Jesus tell us to pray if God already knows what we need? Multiple verses tell us to pray through all occasions. The Lord wouldn’t tell us to pray if we didn’t need this powerful assistance. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Here are 7 reasons we need to pray:

An Independence Day Prayer to Heal Our Land

 

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

We celebrate our country’s birthday on July 4 because that is the day the Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress.

But we don’t often contemplate the suffering the revolutionary patriots experienced to give birth to this country. A good exercise, not only during an Independence Day celebration, but anytime of year, would be to research the sacrifices of some of our founding fathers and the soldiers who fought the Revolutionary War.

If we answer the following questions, we can learn how to pray an Independence Day prayer. We can find information we may not have known that can show us more reasons to be thankful. We can discover more about the spirit behind the forces who opposed them, and what we can do about this invisible enemy that still threatens us today.  

Why was America founded?

What Can We Learn From the Triumphs and Failures of Biblical Fathers?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I’m thankful the Lord tells us about the failures of some of the biblical characters. If we didn’t know about their struggles and sins, we would think they were perfect. This could make us feel like we could never be successful at obeying God.

These accounts were given to us as an example (1 Corinthians 10:11). We can learn from all the triumphs and failures of biblical fathers. The same lessons can apply to mothers, as well.

Here are few examples of how our ancient ancestor’s parenting mistakes brought consequences, but also how God’s mercy and grace brought redemption.

4 Lessons From a Clay Pot

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I learned 4 lessons from a clay pot during a pottery demonstration.

I watched a potter spin the wheel with his foot. The talented hands worked the clay until it softened enough to form a pliable lump. Even though his hands moved and formed, the clay had to submit to the fingers pressing on it. If the clay was too hard, the bowl he wanted to create would not turn out like he planned.