SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
Fighting
Off Jealousy
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:1-10
For where
there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not
carnal and
behaving like mere men? —1 Corinthians 3:3
The story is told of
two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals. They
spent each day keeping track of
each other’s business. If one got
a customer, he would smile triumphantly at
his rival.
One night an angel
appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream
and said, “I will give you
anything you ask, but whatever you receive,
your competitor will receive twice
as much. What is your desire?” The
man frowned and then said, “Strike me blind
in one eye.” Now that’s
jealousy of the worst kind!
The self-destructive
emotion of jealousy had the potential of tearing
apart the Corinthian church.
These believers had received the gospel
but had not allowed the Holy Spirit to
change their hearts. As a result,
they became jealous of one another, which led
to a divided community.
Paul identified their jealousy as a sign of immaturity
and worldliness
(1 Cor. 3:3). These believers were not acting like people who
had been
transformed by the gospel.
One of the clearest
indicators that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives
is our contentment and
our thankfulness for what we have. Then, instead
of experiencing jealousy, we
are able to genuinely celebrate the gifts and
blessings of others.
God, You are so good! You have provided all
we need and so much more. Help us to be content
with what we have, knowing that without You
we would have neither life nor breath.
The remedy for jealousy is thankfulness to
God.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
