Jealousy

What is jealousy? Well we have things like envy is green and hate is red, but jealousy. Well, envy is just a form of jealousy, it’s a jealousy of what others have; whether it be material things or their positions. Jealously comes in all forms, but comes from seeing things in only one view point. In today’s time, jealousy is most commonly referred to regarding relationships between couples. It is most prominently displayed when one of the couple is seen as showing affection or interacting with someone else besides their partner. A lot of relationships become untenable due to the jealousy one partner shows towards their partner’s interactions with others. This can result in abuse of one partner, violence, and possibly one partner being arrested and taken to jail.

However, jealousy raises it’s ugly head in many other forms. It happens at stores when one person gets checked out before another, one person gets the last of an item that is popular, or a person gets through the doors first. Jealousy happens when we are out shopping and someone else gets the parking spot we wanted. During the holiday season, when sales are going on, product introductions, and peak rush hours for stores are all times that jealousy can rear up. A lot of times these confrontations lead to fights, shootings, trampling of others, destruction of property, and more. 

Another form of jealousy during the holiday times is light/decoration displays. Many neighbors become envious (a form of jealousy remember) of what their neighbor has put up. Competition on these displays is good, but envy/jealousy can lead to property destruction of others, sabotage, theft, and more. We should all be content in displaying what we can afford to display, then simply admire the displays of others without envy or jealousy.

Racism is a form of jealousy also, believe it or not. Those who are racist are jealous of the fact the other race seems to either have more opportunities than them, or is being treated as equal. It is common for racists to see another race as beneath their race and therefore not entitled to being treated as equals; hence the jealousy when they are and the violent outbursts towards them. Some racists are opposite of this. They see themselves as being treated unfairly and other races being treated better; thereby getting jealous of what the other races seemingly have. Prejudice is the basis for racism, it’s basically prejudice directed at another race or races of people. However, prejudice is just another word for describing simple jealousy towards others.

Prejudice does not have to be race motivated though. Prejudice comes in multiple forms. A person can be prejudice of people from another country, state, or city (not race), prejudice of the poor, prejudice of the rich, prejudice of certain professions or jobs, and so on. This type of jealousy leads us to treat our fellow humans differently from others or ourselves. However, this is not how we are instructed by Yeshua our Lord and Savior. Preference for congregating with others like ourselves is understandable, as is a preference for jobs we like. However, we cannot let our preferences become prejudicial to others by treating them differently. Each individual is necessary and loved by YaHVaH.

Jealousy not only leads to schisms between individuals or groups, but jealousy can also lead to war (WWII is a good example as Hitler’s basis for war was his jealousy on how he felt other countries were treating Germany after WWI, not to mention he was also racist), separations or dissolving of companies, and splitting of religious groups/organizations (for instance, the splitting of the Catholic church and Orthodox church came about over jealousy of power {more precisely who had the power to excommunicate someone} and resentment).

Jealousy of the power someone holds (also called Lust for power) is rampant in history. The first instance of this can be seen with the devil (former angel) who sought to become like God. Empires came and went due to violence upon their leaders out of jealousy for power of the ruler. The Anglican church came about out of one king’s jealousy over the power the Catholic church held over people religiously. Many atrocities have been done (even in the Crusades) for jealousy of power. 

Lust is a form of jealousy, not the lust of the flesh due to emotions and sex; but rather the lust of others possessions. Though lust of the flesh can lead a partner to become jealous (see above) when someone else desires their partner (or they perceive that desire true or not). However, lust of others possessions (sometimes resulting in theft or destruction of said possessions) is rooted in jealousy. 

As Messianic believers, we should not bow down to jealousy as this leads to hatred and violence. Take an inventory of all your thoughts and see if some are motivated in a form of jealousy, such as envy, prejudice, etc.