Jealousy and Envy

[Guest guest]

I don't have the author for this right now but I think it might be

helpful in some ways. It has a Christian "flavor" to but it applies

equally to Amma's children.--Jeanette

 

Jealousy and Envy – a Cancerous Disease

 

If a person discovered they had cancer, most people would do

everything they could to get rid of this terrible disease. As seen

in Proverbs 14:30, jealousy and envy are compared to such a serious

illness: "Jealousy is like bone cancer." [NCMM] Most people are not

willing to admit they are jealous or envious of others; however,

jealousy is a spiritual disease that infects most people. James 4:5

states that humankind has a "tendency to envy" - an almost inborn

inclination to become jealous of another. What causes this? It is

simple - ego.

 

Most people know what jealousy is when they see its manifestations

in other people, but seldom see it in themselves. Jealousy may be

defined as "resentful suspicion of another's motives." It is the

kissing cousin of envy which is a covetous greed for something

possessed by another - recognition, beauty, wealth, social position,

influence, authority, intelligence, education, riches,

opportunities, promotion, or respect accorded others....

Jealousy stems from egotism and selfishness [James 3:14], and it

often manifests in negative speech or slander, the desire for

recognition and being given credit for accomplishments, and in other

ways. It is jealousy and envy that drove the Jewish hierarchy

organization to kill Jesus and persecute his disciples.

 

Jealousy Over Spiritual Blessings

 

It is almost unthinkable - beyond comprehension - that one could be

jealousy of another's spiritual blessings and privileges. However,

such has been the case from the beginning. It is likely that

jealousy over God's approval of Abel moved Cain to slay his brother.

[Genesis 4:5] Some spiritual devotees may become jealous snd envious

of another who manifests God's blessing and direction. This was the

case with Joseph and his brothers. For Genesis 37:11 says, "His

brothers grew jealous of him." [Acts 7:9] Joseph's brothers were

jealous of him because of his spiritual blessings in seeing a

vision. Of course, we can sympathize a bit with the feelings of

Joseph's brothers. If some one came to us and said they had a vision

of all of us bowing and kissing their feet, we might be taken back a

bit. However, we cannot sympathize with the actions of Joseph's

brothers.

 

Jealousy and envy often spawn political repercussions("spiritual

politics") in spiritual organizations.. It is jealousy that drove

King Saul to hate David and his men. [2 Samuel 21:3] When Saul heard

the women sing in praise of both David," it enraged the king.

Jealous or envious persons get upset or indignant (and often need

to "set the record straight") when they hear others praised or

recognized for their accomplishments in association with various

endeavors or projects the envious person might be associated with in

an organization.

 

Jealousy is a mark of spiritual immaturity. Paul writes to the

Corinthian congregation: "And so, brothers, I was unable to speak to

you as [spiritual] persons, but had to rather as fleshly persons, as

infants in Christ. I gave you only milk to drink and not solid food,

because you were unable to accept it. Neither are you able even now.

For you are still fleshly (ego) because jealousy and strife are in

your midst." [1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NCMM]

 

Jealousy is associated with and manifest by other adverse qualities

that can infiltrate an entire community. Again, at the end of his

second inspired epistle Paul warns the Corinthians: "But, I am

afraid that somehow when I arrive I shall not find you [Corinthians]

as I would wish, and you might not find me as you wished. Instead,

[i would find] strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions,

backbitings, whisperings, self-inflations, disorders." [2

Corinthians 12:20 NCMM]

 

Note those things associated with jealousy and envy: gossip, strife,

anger, contention, slander, suspicion whispering, indignant

patronizing words - all leading to further disharmony.

Jealousy/envy are often a cause of disunity within a spiritual

community. If disorder is present, it is likely jealousy and envy

are the motivating force.

 

A degree of jealousy and envy exists in all of us, for we all like

to be praised and credited and acknowledged and told we are doing

well at something. But ego and pride, then jealousy/envy can begin

to take deep root. Like a climbing vine, it can be almost

unnoticeable at first, but in the end it will swallow the spiritual

framework around which it grows. Because of this all too real and

serious danger, every disciple of God must work very hard to root

out any feelings of jealousy and envy. If jealous and envy remain -

no matter the claims of, "I am a spiritual person" - the claim is

false and the person is not clothed in the frame of mind and

disposition of the Lord God.

 

Peter also exhorts,

 

"Put off all harmfulness, deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all kinds

of gossip and slander." [1 Peter 2:1 NCMM]

Gossip and slander indicate that there is a degree of deceit and two-

faced spiritual hypocrisy going on - along with manipulations - and

these are spawned by jealousy and envy. Remember that every time

gossip or a slanderous remark is made about another, the motive is

often jealousy and/or envy.

 

Jealousy not only causes a spiritual cancer - as hate may also cause

physical illness - but it can even work great harm to the object of

such jealousy. Proverbs 27:4 puts it,

 

Jealousy can cause even the strongest person - such as a man like

Moses - to behave improperly or to stumble. Though a great flood can

move large boulders, the slow and constant drip of water will wear

away the greatest stone. Just so, a strong spiritual person may be

able to withstand a temporary deluge of hateful gossip and

criticisms, but over many years the Chinese "water torture" of

jealousy and envy can crumble even a great faith. Sometimes we

share part of the blame for causing a godly person to err.

 

Surely jealousy is something a spiritual person MUST root of his or

her system. It harms others, and causes physical, emotional and

spiritual illness to oneself and others. Love will push jealousy out

of its dark corners. Truth and Light will expose jealous feelings

and drive them from the spirit. Faith and trust will replace jealous

feelings with peaceful harmony. Empathy and compassion will change

jealousy into understanding and patience. If we cease jwith jealousy

and envy, we will find our relationship with God much improved.