Much More Than We Can Imagine – Softening a Jealous Spirit

 

1 Samuel 18:1-30 (NLT) 

    After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king's son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends. [2] From that day on Saul kept David with him at the palace and wouldn't let him return home. [3] And Jonathan made a special vow to be David's friend, [4] and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

    [5] Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander in his army, an appointment that was applauded by the fighting men and officers alike. [6] But something happened when the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed Goliath. Women came out from all the towns along the way to celebrate and to cheer for King Saul, and they sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. [7] This was their song:

 

        "Saul has killed his thousands,

            and David his ten thousands!"

 

    [8] This made Saul very angry. "What's this?" he said. "They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they'll be making him their king!" [9] So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

    [10] The very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman. David began to play the harp, as he did whenever this happened. But Saul, who had a spear in his hand, [11] suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David jumped aside and escaped. This happened another time, too, [12] for Saul was afraid of him, and he was jealous because the Lord had left him and was now with David. [13] Finally, Saul banned him from his presence and appointed him commander over only a thousand men, but David faithfully led his troops into battle.

    [14] David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. [15] When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. [16] But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.

 

    [17] One day Saul said to David, "I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord's battles." For Saul thought to himself, "I'll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself."

    [18] "Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king's son-in-law?" David exclaimed. "My father's family is nothing!" [19] So when the time came for the wedding, Saul gave Merab in marriage to Adriel, a man from Meholah.

    [20] In the meantime, Saul's daughter Michal had fallen in love with David, and Saul was delighted when he heard about it. [21] "Here's another chance to see him killed by the Philistines!" Saul said to himself. But to David he said, "I have a way for you to become my son-in-law after all!"

    [22] Then Saul told his men to say confidentially to David, "The king really likes you, and so do we. Why don't you accept the king's offer and become his son-in-law?"

    [23] When Saul's men said these things to David, he replied, "How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king?"

    [24] When Saul's men reported this back to the king, [25] he told them, "Tell David that all I want for the bride price is one hundred Philistine foreskins! Vengeance on my enemies is all I really want." But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight.

    [26] David was delighted to accept the offer. So before the time limit expired, [27] he and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines and presented all their foreskins to the king. So Saul gave Michal to David to be his wife.

    [28] When the king realized how much the Lord was with David and how much Michal loved him, [29] he became even more afraid of him, and he remained David's enemy for the rest of his life. [30] Whenever the Philistine army attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul's officers. So David's name became very famous throughout the land.

 

Proverbs 27:4 (CEV) 

An angry person is dangerous, but a jealous person is even worse.

 

Galatians 5:26 (NLT) 

    Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

 

Jealousy is a vicious cycle

 

Acts 13:45 (NLT) 

    But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.

 

1 Cor. 3:3 (CEV) 

    because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.

 

James 3:14-16 (NLT) 

    But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. [15] For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. [16] For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.

 

Jealousy leads to bitterness and a diminished heart.

 

Proverbs 27:4 (NLT) 

    Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy?

 

Matthew 27:18 (CEV) 

    Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous.

 

Jealousy takes away God’s best from us

 

Proverbs 14:30 (NLT) 

    A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away.

 

So How Do We Respond to Jealousy?

 

1.  When jealousy hits, diffuse it immediately by humbly surrendering it to God

 

Matthew 20:15 (CEV) 

    Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Why should you be jealous, if I want to be generous?"

 

Resist the temptation of needing to be the most liked or most honored.

 

Proverbs 14:30 (Msg) 

     A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

 

2.  Turn jealousy into an opportunity to grow my dignity in God alone.

 

1 Samuel 30:6 (KJ21)

     And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

 

Psalm 27:10 (NLT) 

        Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

 

Psalm 62:7 (NLT) 

        My salvation and my honor come from God alone.  He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

 

Psalm 139:14 (NIV) 

    I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 

Bless and honor even those who are doing better than we are.

 

3.  Choose to love even our “enemies.”

 

Romans 12:20 (NLT) 

     Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them.  If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you." (In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." NIV)

 

Romans 12:21 (NIV) 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Romans 12:21 (NLT) 

Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

 

And one thing we can do is to pray for our enemies.

 

Matthew 5:44 (Msg) 

    I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer,

 

Matthew 5:44 (NLT) 

    But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

 

Luke 6:28 (NLT) 

    Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

 

1 Cor. 13:4 (NLT) 

    Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud