No. 355 - Confronting Jealousy and Envy in Your Walk with Christ

The Consequences of Fleshly Desires

Confronting Jealousy and Envy in Your Walk with Christ

James 3:16

"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there."

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me recognise and confront jealousy and envy in my heart. I desire to walk with You in purity and peace. As I meditate on Your Word today, teach me how to overcome these feelings and live in harmony with others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Background

James 3 is about the power of the tongue and the difference between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. James encourages believers to live by wisdom that comes from God, which brings peace and righteousness. Verse 16 highlights the destructive nature of envy and selfish ambition, which cause confusion and lead to evil actions. This verse serves as a warning to avoid these fleshly desires.

Be Encouraged

Jealousy and envy can easily creep into our hearts, especially when we compare ourselves to others. Whether it’s their success, possessions, or relationships, we may feel we are missing out. But these feelings lead to confusion, bitterness, and sinful behaviour. Instead, we are called to walk in the wisdom of God, which brings peace and contentment. Imagine a team working together; when jealousy and envy arise, the team falls apart, but when they support each other, they achieve great things. In the same way, we must overcome these harmful emotions and work together in love.

Application

To guard against jealousy and envy, we need to focus on God’s wisdom. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.” Also, 1 Peter 2:1 advises us to lay aside envy and other destructive behaviours. By seeking God's wisdom and being content with His blessings, we can overcome these negative feelings and live in peace with others.

Invitation 

If you have not yet committed your life to Christ, today is the perfect time to surrender to Him. Visit any nearby Church of Christ to learn how to obey the gospel of Christ through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance from sin (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of all your past sins and for your salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). The Lord will add you to His church, where you will continue to grow in faith and learn to obey Christ’s commandments (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:47). Respond to God’s call today and share this message with others who need to hear it. Let’s all commit to living free from jealousy and envy, walking in the wisdom of God.

Concluding Prayer 

Thank You, Lord, for showing me the dangers of jealousy and envy. Help me to walk in Your wisdom and peace, and to be content with the blessings You have given me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day. 

 

Theodore J. Quist 

Evangelist 

Church of Christ 

Abokobi - Accra 

Ghana


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