The central vision in my left eye is blind and has been since birth. So I have no depth perception. As a child, I was teased and always chosen last to be in any sport. I still remember how teams were chosen and I was always picked last. Needless to say, I was envious of the girls that were chosen first for the team. 
Jealousy or envy is defined as feeling or showing envy of someone’s accomplishments. Synonyms are envious, covetous or desirous. Beloved, have you ever had feelings of jealousy or envy?
Perhaps the best story that shows the destruction of being jealous is the story of Joseph. Jacob loved Joseph and he made him a coat of many colors but Jacob did not make such a coat for his other sons. Jacob loved Joseph more because his mother is Rachel.
Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph–a beautiful coat. Genesis 37: 3 (NLT)
The brothers hated Joseph, in Genesis 37, one reads that they knew their dad loved Joseph more than the rest and that they could not even say a kind word to him.
The brothers are in the field tending to the sheep and Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers. Before this had occurred, Joseph had shared dreams where the brother would be subject to him. When Joseph arrives, his brothers capture him and sell him into slavery. They take the coat and cover it with blood telling Jacob that Joseph died.
Jealousy and envy were at the root of this sin that happened to Joseph. Have you suffered from someone who was jealous? Has jealousy or envy played a negative role in your life? Jealousy is a sin that God wants us to avoid. Reading in Galatians 5: 19-20 it says, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy and outburst of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
We can repent and grow in the likeness of Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against such things there is no law.”
Joseph encountered many ups and downs from being sold into slavery and God’s with him. He ends up saving his family from the famine and being reunited with his father. He does not hold a grudge and states to his brother, what you meant for harm, God used for good. When God is in the center of our lives, jealousy and envy have no place.
As a child, I did not understand why the children were so cruel. I just remember wishing I was normal and not blind in my left eye. I learned who my friends were and focused on building friendships that were God-centered. As an adult, jealousy came in a different form and that was in comparing myself to others. You see I grew up feeling inferior. But the truth is that I did not need to compare myself because I am fearfully and wonderfully made according to Psalm 139:14.
When I struggle with these feelings of inferiority, I am reminded that I am loved and I am a child of God as it says in Romans 8:14. Beloved, do you struggle with feelings of inferiority? Do you compare yourself to others and think that you are not good enough to even be their friend? Will you confess your feelings of jealousy and envy? Then will you grasp hold of who you are in Christ? You are his beloved and he loves you just as he made you.
Father God, I praise you for who you are. You are God. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your word tells of the danger of jealousy and envy. We sometimes fall into the trap of comparison and this leads us to more jealous feelings. I confess that I have not always valued my life. I confess that I have compared myself to others and have felt that I do not measure up and have believed the lie that others are better than me. Help me to recognize who I am in Christ. Thank you for loving me just as I am even though I am blind in my left eye. In Jesus name. Amen
Beloved, will you accept your worth and know that you are just as good as anyone else so jealousy has no place in your life?
