On jealousy

 

Proverbs 27:4 

King James Version

4 Wrath is cruel, 

and anger is outrageous; 

but who is able to stand before envy?

Holy Spirit and I started a post on "God's Mercy".

Jesus gave a parable on the Prodigal Son.

Of how a son was forgiven by his father, despite wasting his inheritance, and falling into "riotous living".

Thing is, he had a brother, who greatly resented the father's mercy.

Luke 15:25-30 (KJV)

25 Now his elder son was in the field: 

and as he came and drew nigh to the house, 

he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, 

and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, 

Thy brother is come; 

and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, 

because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, 

and would not go in: 

therefore came his father out, 

and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, 

Lo, these many years do I serve thee, 

neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: 

and yet thou never gavest me a kid,

 that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, 

which hath devoured thy living with harlots, 

thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

To which, the father replied:

Luke 15:31-32 (KJV)

31 And he said unto him, 

Son, thou art ever with me, 

and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, 

and be glad: 

for this thy brother was dead, 

and is alive again; 

and was lost, 

and is found.

Scripture is replete with sibling rivalry, of one brother jealous of another, because the father's love is highly-favored.

We also read of concubines jealous of their mistresses, or vice-versa.

On, and on, the stories go.

Causing wars, division, plotting, and murder.

Reflecting the passions of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)

3 For ye are yet carnal: 

for whereas there is among you envying, 

and strife, 

and divisions, 

are ye not carnal, 

and walk as men?

Jealousy is pure poison.

Job 5:2 (KJV)

2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, 

and envy slayeth the silly one.

The contents of our hearts defile us.

Jesus knew our hearts:

Mark 7:21-23 (KJV)

21 For from within, 

out of the heart of men, 

proceed evil thoughts, 

adulteries, 

fornications, 

murders,

22 Thefts, 

covetousness, 

wickedness, 

deceit, 

lasciviousness, 

an evil eye, 

blasphemy, 

pride, 

foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, 

and defile the man.

But God's commandment of old stands:

Exodus 20:17 (KJV)

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, 

thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, 

nor his manservant, 

nor his maidservant, 

nor his ox, 

nor his ass, 

nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Where love is, there can be no strife.

Jesus calls us to love.

Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV)

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Only through Jesus can we be healed.

Psalm 107:20 (KJV)

20 He sent his word, 

and healed them, 

and delivered them from their destructions.

Updated 25 January 2022