In continuing the Illumination series, we look at jealousy, envy, and judgemental attitudes. The news is full of reports on the toxic effects of Instagram. Why are our minds always ready to judge, compare, and envy someone else? Is the root cause advertising, technology, or social media? Nope. Way back at the beginning, a guy named Cain murdered his brother in a jealous rage. The green-eyed monster was born.
You can read the full account in Genesis, Chapter 4. Therefore, God warned Cain about his jealous anger in verses 6 and 7, “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Subdue your green-eyed monster
We attribute William Shakespeare with the term green-eyed monster. He used it in Othello to describe his character’s jealous rage. We all know the consequences of uncontrolled jealousy, envy, and judgmental attitudes, and these emotions can run from mild to wild quickly. Have you subdued your green-eyed monster?
Remember, God created a unique you for a unique purpose. He is for you and He is with you. Your self-care goal is to accept and love yourself with the full support of God’s grace and peace!
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.
James 4:11
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
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