Jealousy

If you ever struggle with jealousy like I do, here are notes from scripture and commentary I read today.

James 3:14-16 "But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selflessness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil."

Wisdom is determined by actions of peace and goodness. It is easy to be drawn into wrong desires by the pressures of society and sometimes even by well-meaning Christians. We can be drawn into desires of what we want and don't have and become competitive. Seeking the Lord's wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves to others and to want what they have.

When our words are motivated by Satan, they are full of:
Bitter jealousy
Selfish ambition
Earthly concerns and desires
Unspiritual thoughts and ideas
Disorder
Evil

When our words are motivated by God and his wisdom, they are full of:
Purity
Peace
Consideration for others
Submission
Mercy
Sincerity, impartiality
Goodness

As our pastor says about life; "Rejection is God's protection."

Lord, I ask your forgiveness because I struggle with this. Wisdom comes from You. Please help me to be content and keep my eyes on Jesus. Help me to be a peacemaker and not desire my own way. You have been so good to me. Anything you say "no" to is for my own good. Anything you say "wait" to, is for a reason. Please help me to abide in You and stay humble within your divine plans.