I chose this picture because I doubt this mom loved the held child more than the sulky one, but he obviously felt neglected.  It reminds me of the Bible story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis, chapter four. Cain’s jealousy resulted in the first murder in the Bible.

If you have read my blog much you may remember that I have struggled with jealousy.  For further reference you can type ‘jealousy’ in the search box of Encouraging Moments For You homepage and see other encouragements that I believe God has given me concerning this.  

FYI: I’ve also included some definitions for envy and jealousy if you are interested.

I think a primary contributor of jealousy is comparing oneself to others.  Such a waste of brain space!  You will either come out ‘uppity’ or ‘woebegone,’ neither resulting in pleasing God.  It sounds simplistic but proclaiming a sincere gratitude to God is an antidote to jealousy.  I’ve also found some very helpful scriptures to meditate on!

War weapons to combat jealousy:

Galatians 5:26  Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

1 Cor 3:3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

1 Cor 13:4-5   Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Gal 5:22-23  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Lord, I’m so grateful that Your love never runs out on me or anyone. It is an unending supply and always available to Your people. There is no need for competition because God has plenty of love for everyone.

From the journal . . . . April 2000

Jesus, I confess the sin of jealousy. It gets me at every women’s retreat in one way or another.  Jesus, could it be a demon that pesters me?  Well, I confess sin.  Jealousy to me means that I want the attention someone else is getting.  This isn’t a Godly jealousy.  He is jealous for His Bride, the church. God and God alone is to be worshipped!

Exodus 20:4-5 You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

I have no claim over anyone’s exclusive attentions with one exception:  My husband.  He is one I can claim as mine exclusively in marital affection. 

Prov 5:15 Drink water from your own well—
    share your love only with your wife.

It is comparable to God’s jealousy for His Bride, the church.  No one but the Lord is to be worshipped. 

Lord, my head knows the truth of what is best for me, and I can sometimes think right.  I can rejoice when someone is giving loving attention to someone who needs it. In that way I can bless the giver and receiver.  It’s a good thing and it takes nothing away from me. Jesus, please give me a new heart that will receive this good head knowledge.

And I Believe God Said:

I am working on your heart because I gave it to you long ago and you gave it back to Me. Jealousy in you is connected to feeling important.  Importance is wrongly connected to being loved.  You love Mark, Karen, Jon, Gina, and Protégé, but it has nothing to do with their importance.  You just love them.

Ezek 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Jealousy involves feeling hurt but that does not justify it. The Story of the Prodigal Son is a perfect example. The older son resented the attention the younger son was getting because it made the younger son seem more important. And for a time, he was the center of attention, but the father stated clearly that he had just as much love for the older son.  Luke 15:11-32

Definitions taken from Oxford Languages:

Jealous:

~Feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages.

~feeling or showing suspicion of someone’s unfaithfulness in a relationship.

(Jealous) God demanding faithfulness and exclusive worship

Envy:

~a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities or luck.

Verb: ~desire to have a quality possession or other desirable attributes belonging to someone else.