Doctrinal · Jealousy

A Jealous God – Part 7

jealousy

Jealousy in the New Testament reveals our weakness and insecurity in many passages.  Let’s continue to consider passages that address this emotion.

Philippians 1:15

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

Paul again brings up the issue of envy within the church, and this time he hits preachers /  leadership.  (By the way, what does envy in a believer tell you about his maturity?)
 
These preachers were preaching, and Paul was defining two types of preachers.  One that preached out of envy.  One that preached out of good will.  Two types.
 
Which group might you fall into.  Want one more notch on your gun handle?  One more decision?  One more one more one more….
 

1 Timothy 6:4

he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

Boy does this verse bug me.  Most of my Christian experience I have lived in the middle of this verse, seeking a controversy here or a quarrel over there.  Anything to satisfy my need to feel superior over my brother or sister in the Lord. 
 

Let me tell you that the envy, dissension slander and evil suspicions that took hold in my life ate me up.  

Avoid at all costs the temptation to separate yourself from your brother over some insignificant finding or doctrine.  No one cares what I think about the location of the New Jerusalem, or where the Ark of the Covenant is, when all they see is dissension, disunity and continual bickering.   

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Funny how Paul mentions that we passed our days in malice and envy, and yet looking back over my life, even after my conversion (to my shame!) I have spent far too much time comparing myself with others, nursing thoughts of malice, and wishing I had a better situation. 
 
Golly Carl – you need to grow up!
 
 

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.

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