Proverbs 14:30

New Living Translation (NLT)

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

Meditation

“Our family thinks you will be their bread winner after college. That is why they respect you more than me”, the older brother said. The two brothers were arguing about something quite mundane that had nothing to do with the older brother’s comment. But the jealousy that oozed from his heart could have fed Esau the rest of his life.

It reminds me of another sibling in the Bible. Their husband loved the younger more than the older, and so God gave her children. The younger sister, however, remained barren. Rachel became jealous and went to Jacob. “Give me children, or I’ll die”, she said (Gen. 30:1).

Jealousy is like cancer. It eats the heart of the person who opens themselves to it. It points its prey to somebody who is prospering and says, “That should have been you.” The mind of the person latches onto it and awakens discontentment, anger, and covetousness. The trio viciously attacks the mind and drives Mr. Peace out. The body becomes agitated and the brain goes to work. It begins to plot evil and draws wickedness out of the heart.

Ask Cousin Cain, and he will tell you how heartless jealousy can make the unguarded soul. Even when God warns the victim of looming sin (Gen. 4:6-7), it skips the conscience of the person until wickedness fully demands its pound of flesh. “Let’s go out to the field”, Cain said to Abel (8a). “While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him” (8b). It all started when God accepted Abel’s offering over that of Cain, and jealousy kicked in (3-5).

1. Do you know how easy it is to fall into this fleshly trap because of our fallen nature (Gal. 5:20)?
2. When you can’t rejoice with another person for their success, can you stop and check your heart?
3. When you simply take offense at somebody, wouldn’t it be helpful to query your motive?
4. When other people’s situations begin to drive your desires and actions, is it not wise to call on the ministry of God’s word (Heb. 4:12)?
5. Can you accept what the Word reveals to you? Can you yield to the Holy Spirit and allow grace to flood your humbled heart (12:15)?

I pray these words of Paul to come alive to you, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

May you allow its wisdom and truth to free your heart of jealousy and allow the peace of God to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phi. 4:7)!

Shalom