Jealousy

“It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. The women sang as they played, and said, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?’ Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. Saul hurled the spear for he thought, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’ But David escaped from his presence twice.

Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.” 1 Samuel 18:6-12

“For you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” James 3:16

Notice the downward emotional trend apparent in King Saul’s life in this narrative:

Anger - “Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him” (vs. 8).

Envy - “Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.” (vs. 9).

Anxiety - “an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul” (vs. 10).

Attempted Murder - “Saul hurled the spear [at David]” (vs. 11).

Fear - “Now Saul was afraid of David” (vs. 12).

How easy it is to let an emotional response of anger slowly turn to hatred and murderous intent. Have you found yourself on a downward emotional spiral, spearheaded by jealousy, rejection, anger, or resentment? The person who suffers the most when you don’t release those feelings is you.

God intends for each of His children to know the joy of unconditional love and total acceptance and the cleansing of forgiveness through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. That love, acceptance, and forgiveness is found only in a right relationship with God.

Desire, wrongly directed, can be come jealousy - an emotion to be controlled.