BREAKING THE CHAINS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY, No. 1

Proverbs 14:30: “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”

Matthew 27:18: “For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.” This Scripture reveals how destructive envy can be for it drove the religious leaders of Israel to crucify their Messiah and Deliverer.

They were envious of the power of God that flowed through Him--healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, casting out devils, and raising the dead. They were envious of the great crowds that followed Him. If they had not been envious of Him, the river of God flowing through Him would have healed them also.

If they had not been so envious they would have received Him as their Messiah. John 1:11, 12 says: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Not only did envy stop them from becoming the sons of God, it caused them to murder Him on a cruel cross.

The chain of envy was on the Jews to stir up major persecution against Paul and Barnabas (Acts 43:45-52).

The chains of jealousy and envy have the potential to not only hold back revival from coming to us, but to actually stop revival when it comes.

Envy of others being successful in their ministry causes us to be jealous and speak negatively. This grieves the Holy Spirit and binds the free flowing of the water of life. How sad! We must guard against this sinful chain. We must watch that we are not dragged into its enticing, but deadly net.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell