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Jealousy: The Green-Eyed Monster

Jealousy is cruel as the grave. (Song of Solomon 8:6)

"The only Scriptures that give me any trouble," said Mark Twain, "are those I fully understand."

And I suppose a lot of people may be troubled by the words of this scripture when they fully understand its meaning:

Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire.
(Song of Solomon 8:6)

Like the grave, jealousy intrudes upon all ages and sexes and types and conditions of humanity. Jealousy IS cruel as the grave.

It was Shakespeare who said:

"O beware of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster
That doth mock the meat it feeds upon."

I. ITS COMMONNESS

Have you ever felt the fire of jealousy in your heart? Has this serpent ever hissed in your ear? Has "getting to the top" so possessed you that hearing your nearest rival publicly praised causes you pain? Is there someone whose attractiveness and popularity you secretly hate? Is there "someone special" who is superior to you and their advancement causes you to secretly desire their public humiliation? Is there even one, solitary person in this world whose affection you fear might be turning to someone else? Then, beware of jealousy!

Jealousy! Its empire extends from the brute creation to man, the prince of creation. The first crime that stained the first pages of human history was committed by a jealous man. Cain was the first human ever born through humanity itself. And Cain became so insanely jealous of his own brother, Abel, that he murdered him.

Jealousy knows no boundaries, no limits. It is common to all people everywhere and in all walks of life. It is common among brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, in-laws, lovers, friends, business associates and even preachers of the gospel.

II. ITS COST

Jealousy does cost. It's expensive. Jealousy uncovers bottomless pits of wickedness in people, provoking them to even the most horrible of crimes. Jealousy lures the soul on to a fierce banquet of suspicion and hate, only to torture it with starvation.

Solomon said in Proverbs 27:4 (NIV) – Who can stand before jealousy?

As a moth gnaws a garment, so does jealousy gnaw at one's spiritual vitals until it destroys him. The jealous person poisons his own banquet – and then eats it.

Jealousy is like a boomerang. It always comes home to haunt you, then to hurt you.

Shakespeare said, "No, not the hangman's axe bears half the keenness of thy sharp envy."

I challenge you to show me a jealous person who is a happy person. Jealousy hurts the attacker more than the attacked. It ravages the nobler instincts of a man or woman and prods them and prompts them to become the kind of person who hates themselves and everybody else. Jealousy really is as cruel as the grave.

III. ITS CURES

The time to attack jealousy is when you first feel the heat of its blistering fire. Just as thousands of lives could be saved each year from malignant cancer through early diagnosis and treatment, multiplied thousands of people could have a right relationship with themselves, with others, and with God if they would attack this green-eyed monster – jealousy – when it first rears its ugly head.

It isn't easy to slay a monster. And especially a green-eyed monster like jealousy. But it must be done. And it should begin right now.

I offer these five simple suggestions to cure jealousy and slay the monster:

1) Stop living within yourself entirely. Start doing something for God, and/or for someone else, without even the slightest thought of any return.

2) Get involved in God's work. It's too big and too critically important to be annoyed or destroyed by petty jealousies.

3) Apply the golden rule. "Do unto others as if you were the 'others'."

4) Cultivate the presence of Jesus in your life moment by moment.

5) Open up your life and start giving.

Where God's love dwells in all its fullness, there is no room for jealousy. Then and only then will your life become a life of peace instead of pieces.

Feedback

I've been ruminating on this message since I read it several days ago, and didn't want to respond until I'd thoroughly thought it over. As a budding writer myself, I struggle with being honest with myself and with God about ways to promote my writing without getting my ego too involved. But, being human, I fail miserably sometimes at not letting that green-eyed monster take control of my motivations. Remaining pure in heart and pure in impetus is such a difficult task! I like that you've included ways to get back on course when this issue takes control; it's a plan that I feel I can implement whenever it's necessary! As always, you make me think. I love that aspect of your blogs. Thanks for posting "Jealousy: The Green-Eyed Monster."

Dee Yoder
Mansfield, Ohio

Carl, what a great article as always! Over the many years you and I have labored for God, we have both witnessed how effective "jealousy" has been in destroying the lives of God's people.

Jealousy is one of the small foxes that destroys the vine. Jealousy is the rumor mongerer whose lies rob the honest man/woman of his/her reputation. Jealousy is the grave-digger that digs the graves of great men and women; the sower of the tares that sows his seed in the darkness of night, knowing that the light of day would only expose the motives of their rumors and falsehoods.

Carl, keep up the good work and be blessed of the Lord!

Dr. Robert White
Tyler, Texas

Thanks Carl: I’ve read all your postings and if you have not considered it, please think about placing them in book form.

Pastor James F. Byrd
Sr. Associate, Mount Paran Central, Atlanta Georgia

Brother Richardson, please send copies of your Beyond Borders messages to our church e-mail address. I teach two women’s Bible studies here and your messages are a great help to me. Thanks! You are such an inspiration!

Mary-Margaret Morris
Campbelltown (Sydney), Australia

For years, I have been so jealous of others that it has nearly destroyed me. Your message is the first I’ve ever read that gives me any real hope. Thank you for being so honest.

Marsha Smith
Detroit, Michigan

Carl and Beverly: Thanks for another good message. I am much better and am now able to get out and about but am still taking antibiotics for the bout with pneumonia. Again, I was seriously ill but I think the prayers of God’s people saved me. With all my physical problems, I am still able to play the organ – a blessing from God to me.

Mrs. Nancy and (Dr. Bob) O’Bannon
Cleveland, Tennessee

Dear Brother Carl; Greetings from Man-O-War Cay, Abaco in the Bahamas! Your blogs are a blessing. As you know we were in Australia as the superintendent for the Oceania Region for almost five years. We visited back home in the Bahamas in September, 2007, and were invited to come and pastor the Man-O-War Cay Church. We accepted the appointment and we came here in May, 2008. It is a small church. There is potential and we feel that this is God’s will for our lives at this time. I suppose you can say it is preparation for retirement. Blessings!

Pastor Tommy and Joyce Sands
Man-O-War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

Just read the story on angels of your son’s healing from tuberculosis while you and Beverly pastored in Ashland, Ohio. We remember when this happened. We were pastors in nearby Wooster, Ohio. It was wonderful. We will never forget it.

Reverend David and Glenda Jacobs
China Grove, North Carolina

We appreciate being part of your ministries by reading your materials and viewing your videos and listening to your daily broadcasts on your website. We would be most grateful if you would consider coming to our area for preaching a crusade and ministering in our orphanage and through our feeding program. Your ministry is greatly respected here.

Bishop John Onsoti Marubi
Nyamira, Kenya

Jealousy destroyed my marriage and forever tainted my life. At that time, I did not realize that jealousy was so destructive. You are right. My life became a life of pieces instead of peace. It’s too late for damage control. I’m now in survival mode. Please pray for me to rebuild my life.

Keith Neyland
London, England

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