The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide "The Right End of Jealousy" Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Read James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?--Proverbs 27:4 (NRSV)
Has anyone ever been on the right side of jealousy? If I’m the jealous one, I envy someone else because I see something they have that I want. But if I am the focus of someone’s jealousy, I may be hurt by their personal discontent and insecurity. While it’s easy for me to focus my anger toward someone who hurts me, God gently reminds me that I am the first one who needs to change. As a result, I’ve learned that my security is not in myself, in others, or in possessions. My security is in God who is my strength and my hope. Jealousy, whether I am expressing it or am its object, undermines my personal security. I realize now that jealousy has no right side. And I’m learning to avoid it. My confidence is in God, who replaces jealousy with security.--The Author-Nancy Nelson Larson (Texas, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today I will try to model attitudes that honor God and make the world more like God wants it to be.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to find our security in you. Teach us to avoid jealousy and to stand firm in your unfailing love. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those struggling with jealousy
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