How to Overcome Jealousy

Daily Devotional – Thursday, July 1, 2021

Who is able to stand before jealousy?

Proverbs 27:4 (NKJV)

Cain could not live with his righteous younger brother, Abel. Cain wanted everything for himself. The solution was to kill Abel.

Joseph’s brothers were not happy that Jacob seemed to love their younger brother more. The solution was to sell him into slavery.

King Saul was jealous of David because God had anointed him to become king after Saul. The solution (though it failed) was to kill David.

Solomon poses the question, “Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4).

Jealousy leads to hate. Hate motivates people to hurt others. A jealous person says in his heart, “I will not let your candle burn at the same time as mine. I will switch it off so that mine burns brighter.”.

Here is some advice on how to overcome jealousy. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7).

Contented people are happy and satisfied because they know God will supply what they need at the right time. They know God cares about them just as He cares about other people.

A contented person does not place his hope in material gain but in God. He is not jealous of others because he knows God blesses people differently and according to His will.

When you embrace godliness and contentment, you do not consider other people as competitors but as fellow believers and children of God.

Today, decide that you will not allow any form of jealousy in your life.

Prayer

Father, fill me with your presence and contentment, and keep jealousy away from me.