Don’t Be Jealous of Your Brother or Sister
Last week’s article focused on what to do when you’re looking down at your brother or sister in Christ because of their creative level or ability. This week is focused on what to do when you are looking up.
The truth of the matter is that there is always going to be someone who is better than you at something. No matter how much practice you’ve put in, how skilled you are, or how much time you spend learning and growing in a specific creative field, there is always someone who is going to be better than you — or, here’s a kicker, someone you think is better than you.
Now, this is often a really hard thing to accept. Human pride often calls us to want to be the best, to want to gloat, to want to be superior to others. Human pride calls us to be jealous.
The problem with that, of course is that…well, it’s definitely a sin.
In fact, it’s part of the Ten Commandments: You shall not covet anything of your neighbor’s. That includes the gifts and resources that God has given them for His good purpose in their lives (and yours!). They might have more natural talent than you. They might have more time to pour into their creative projects than you. They might have the shiniest new piece of technology or fanciest material to help them with their God-given tasks.
This does not mean that God loves them more. Or that He loves you less. Or that He doesn’t want good things for you. Or that He’s playing favorites. If you are feeling any of those things, I offer gently, that is a problem with your heart and perception, not with how God actually operates. He loves all of His children and He has a unique plan for each of them.
This fact is going to lead to the first step of repentance: realizing that the problem is not on God or the other person, but is a sin within your own heart. God calls us out of covetousness and into humility, learning to accept His heart for our own, individual journ
And that is the first step to not being jealous of your brother or sister: realizing that it is, in fact, a sin within your own heart. God calls us out of sin, out of jealousy, and into humility. Into understanding His heart and His timing on our lives. He has a purpose for you, and you will spend your energy far more efficiently for the Kingdom if you set aside your jealousy and focus on the jobs and talents He has given you to do!
Putting it into Action
Take some time this week to assess your heart in regards to jealousy. Have you felt jealous of your creative brother or sister lately? Has that green slime started to infect your heart, causing a rift between you and them, a rift in the Body of Christ? Are you looking at their talent, abilities, or projects with covetousness, wishing that was you? Ask God to help reveal to you any jealousy that you may be harboring towards others, and listen obediently if He points out a trouble spot.
If you have been feeling jealous lately, take some time to first repent. Humble yourself before God and admit that you have been harboring sin in your life. Then, take some time to thank God for the blessing He has given you. Think of the talents and skills that He has provided for you. Think of all the things, people, and opportunities that He has placed along your creative path to encourage you and grow you in your abilities. Refocus your mind to one of thankfulness, not covetousness!
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
