The New Orleans Saints are on a 9-game winning streak, and the fans of the Atlanta Falcons are jealous, because they are on a 2-game losing streak!
Jealousy is defined as a feeling: 1) showing envy of someone’s perceived achievements and advantages, 2) showing suspicion of someone’s perceived unfaithfulness in a relationship, or 3) being fiercely protective or vigilant of one's rights or possessions.
In short, jealousy is a feeling caused by insecurity in one’s self. This insecurity will cause feelings of jealousy which makes one sad, upset and broken-hearted over things that one thinks is, or is not taking place.
But wait, didn’t scripture say that God was a jealous God? The answer is yes! In Exodus 20:5, the Lord tells the Israelites,
“You shall not bow down to them or serve (idol gods), for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me” (NKJV).
Since God is jealous, does that mean that God is insecure? No, God is jealous because it is God’s nature, and the Lord’s love for humanity, not because of envy. God is jealous for our good.
God does not want us to be so insecure as to worship a “so-called god,” over the One who “brought us out of the land of Egypt.” God is jealous when we are so insecure that we doubt the God that made the universe. God is jealous when we are so insecure that we question the love of God, the One who loved us so much that he allowed Jesus to die on the cross.
As we approach the holidays, many opportunities for jealousy abound.
Jealousy because of the material things relatives may flaunt, as they try to impress others during the holidays.
Jealousy because your favorite aunt does not treat you as her favorite anymore.
Jealousy because your girlfriend’s old flame (which was never a flame) shows up at a party that the two of you are attending.
Yes, the Lord is a jealous God because that is God’s nature.
So, this holiday season, let’s try to understand our insecurities, and pray to the Lord to give us the ability to discern the talk we hear from the insecure people in our lives. With discernment, we can take an objective look at what we are doing and feeling.
For we serve a God of security, not insecurity. Stay strong in the Lord, and don’t let anyone else’s material things, football team record, or past relationships make you feel insecure or jealous.
Remember, God does not want us to be insecure or jealous beings. The Lord empowers us to be “more than conquerors,” – new creatures who are secure in Christ Jesus.
