Flashback Friday - The Green-Eyed Monster - Martin Wiles

Craving what others have blinds one to the riches they possess.

Dad introduced me to him. He called him the green-eyed monster and warned me about the consequences of letting him catch me. To a young boy, the idea of a real monster was extremely frightening. I certainly didn’t want him catching or eating me. I saw enough monsters on television shows and movies without having to worry about another one. But this one didn’t come with an ugly face, big teeth, long claws, or a furry body. This monster was inside of me, fed by desires I shouldn’t have. His name was jealousy.

"You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them" (James 4:2 NLT).

God calls my jealousy sin—plain and simple. God himself is jealous, but his jealousy is for my affection and not the sinful type. He is my creator and won’t allow me to divide my loyalty between him and something else. When I’m jealous, it’s of someone—whether of something they possess or because they’re endowed in ways I wish I was.

Jealousy demonstrates ingratitude for what God has given me by craving what someone else enjoys. More often than not, these cravings will lead to sinful actions. I’ll steal, undermine, gossip, or maneuver to acquire what I suppose I should have.

Jealousy also evidences laziness. Instead of trying to uncover the wonderful blessings God has given me—and be satisfied, I sit back and lust after what others have. Besides this, jealousy has a bad habit of birthing other harmful emotions like anger, depression, regret, and hate. It will consume my happiness. Instead of enjoying the opportunities and play toys God has given me, I’ll continually long for what I don’t have but others do.

Don’t let jealousy steal your joy. Enjoy what God has given you.

Tweetable: Is the green-eyed monster sneaking up on you?

Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for what You’ve given us. Teach us to be satisfied so that our longings won’t be for what others have. 

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