Jealousy Devotional by Faith

Jealousy. It's something we have all dealt with. It's evil, overcomes you, making you feel angry and bitter -- all at once. Why does it seem like most of the time we are jealous of material items? We shouldn't be.

So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18) So then, why do we still feel this envy? Why every time your best friend shows you her new phone, you immediately want it? It's because we are human. Humans like ourselves often cannot control this emotion because of how strong it is.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:14-16) Envy is straight from the devil. He feeds it to us. He tries to make you feel this way. Don't let him win.

To do this, you must seriously not be jealous of whatever item the person has. Just think….. In a few years maybe even months that new 4th generation iPod touch will be way out of style & everyone will want something new. And then that will go out of style, and everyone will want something else. It is a never-ending cycle and it would be best if you don't let it get its grip on you. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. (Proverbs 14:30)

Every time you start to feel jealous, think of what things await you in heaven! The things you have down here on Earth will one day be gone;  we Christians have something even better -- something that will last forever. Something that doesn’t go in a cycle or out of style. Salvation.