Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: jealous
Have you ever felt jealous?
What damage can jealous feelings wreak on relationships?
What does it mean that we have a jealous God?
Let me know what you think!!
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
I'm having a hard time realizing it's Friday, but I wanted to stop in and say Hello, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I have felt the sting of jealousy. Our jealousy, unlike God's, is fraught with sin, and has no pure motives, or love for the other, within it.
We are selfish creatures.
I look forward to heaven, where envy and jealousy will not exist. They are so prevalent here, it is hard to imagine. Perfect love will cast out fear, and with it these two sisters.
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Wendy
sadly, I've been jealous a lot over the years, but I think with age (LOL) and maturity (still working on that one LOL) I'm less jealous and envious (still a work in progress though).
ReplyDeleteI think when the Bible refers to God as a jealous God, it means he wants our full undivided attention, he wants us to be consumed in love and devotion for him like he is consumed in love for us. I think he wants to have first place in our hearts, for us to completely surrender to him our lives, thoughts, etc.
Another great word Sharon!! Enjoy the weekend!
betty
Too close to home right now....no comment,God has been dealing with this green monster in my life...so I need to stay duct taped until the fruit comes forth.
ReplyDeleteGreat fan the flame!!!!
Love is not jealous - it wants the other to have all things - that is a tough one don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI doubt there is anyone who can say they have not been jealous at some time. I'm afraid I've been guilty of it more than I would like to admit. When God gave the commandment "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" He was showing a form of jealousy. He made the law for man's good. He knew there were no other gods above Him.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this thought provoking post.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteAs always, you prompt us with a good discussion topic.
"Have you ever felt jealous?" Yes, moreso as a young man than now. I believe I recognize this emotion more easily now, and spiritiual discipline helps to diffuse it. I've learned not to be envious of others, choosing to be happy for the blessings God bestows on them, instead of resenting it.
"What damage can jealous feelings wreak on relationships?" Jealous feeling can seriously damage a relationship because it breeds mistrust, deception, and manipulation. Jealously often prevents a person from seeing others in the proper and correct perspective.
"What does it mean that we have a jealous God?" I believe this is consistent with God's commandment regarding our relationship with Him. First and foremost, God wants us to place our faith, worship, and trust solely in Him; there is no allowance for other gods. When we fail to honor God as The One Ture God, we lose perspective of who God really is. We ignorantly act as though He is not the Supreme Creator of all.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
Blessings Sharon... Great Fan the Flame word... jealousy and wonderful thought provoking questions but I GOT NOTHING as I thought on "jealousy".
ReplyDeleteI considered not even coming here since I had no contribution... except I loved MTJ's comment! I guess I came to see what other's had to say about jealousy. I think I have not dealt with this in my life personally enough to phase me.
I had heard that when Oprah Winfrey learned or read that God was a jealous God that she waled away from church. Yet I agree with MTJ's word about what God desires when He tells us this:
"...for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth."
(OT) Deut.
As I looked at God's jealousy, I know it's different than Shakespeare's Othello "green eyed monster"... because it is God's deep love for us and that we are precious to Him. We belong to God. I am so thankful for that, others may look at this as offensive as being God's possession.
I have no problem with this, if He wants me, I'm all His. If God says this as regards having other idols, I totally get this and since this was OT, and there are so many idols we put before God as they did, I understand why.
If we are serious about our relationship with Him, we shall exalt Him above everyone and everything else in our lives; we shall be absolutely dedicated to living for His honor; we shall be zealously committed to doing His will. The primary goal of our lives will be to show the world that our God is the one true and living God—that He alone makes life meaningful and worthwhile.
So out of my 'got nothing' stance, I got this as led, and so I might as well define "jealousy" as the desire to have what someone else has but when it comes to God, I see that as God asking for my exclusive devotion and HE has total right and my desire is to please Him completely so I don't mind Him being jealous, it is only right and good that He should and I would... so I do!
"I'm hopelessly devoted..." to Him!
But for us as humans, I guess I connotate jealousy with negative and sin, where it could be good, But I pray that I stay away from sinful jealousy, feeling frustrated or bitter because of not obtaining what I want...I pray I want only what God wants for me... and also that I would not find fault with others who have what I may want or keep me from getting it. I'm so thankful that God is not capable of experiencing or exemplifying sinful jealousy as are humans. Let us not be jealous or envious loved ones but filled with fruit that encourages each of us in love.
Love you Sharon...and I'm so jealous of your gift of writing(lol)
Peggy
aren't ya' glad I GOT NOTHING?Can you imagine if I had something... I would have had to blog again...
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteYes I am guilty. It is something we need to be careful of because in causes us to over react to somethnig then we do or say something we had not ought to do.
God bless,
Ken
Confession time: I saw this at the crack of dawn yesterday and walked a circle around it. I read Janette's comment above. Let's just say that I'm walking with Janette right now.
ReplyDeleteBut you knew that, didn't you?
Dear friends,
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining me on "Fan the Flame" Friday. I so appreciate your valuable insights and comments...and your honesty.
Let me begin by making a true confession myself. I picked this word *jealous* because it's a subject that I've been dealing with. I find that one of Satan's most insidious attacks is in this area. He uniquely attacks the Christian, I believe, with a particularly ugly version of jealousy (at least he does for me). And it's this - he has often made me jealous of the ministries of other believers, jealous of their spiritual gifts, jealous of their God-given opportunities. There, I said it!
Comparison within the Body of Christ is a dangerous trap. I have been learning this lesson in many areas of my life.
I keep hearing God say to me, "Sharon, is it really just Me?" I'm praying for the ability, the faith, the strength, the patience, the humility to say to Him, "Yes, Lord, it is."
Keeping my eyes on the Lord is the only antidote for eyes that sometimes wander to other "grass is always greener" believers. If it's all about God and the advancement of His Kingdom, then we're all in it together - and we should uphold and applaud each other when God uses us - in our own unique ways.
I read a very helpful, and insightful, article about this subject. Here's the link:
www.bible.org/seriespage/jealous-god
God is jealous - not in the way that we are of each other sometimes. No, there is no sin in His jealousy. Rather, He guards His love and His relationship with us. He wants nothing and no one else to remove our devotion to Him. We are to have NO other gods before Him.
Interesting word this week - I'm going to be pondering and working on this one for awhile.
GOD BLESS!