Beware of the Green Eyed Monster

Mikey

Beware of the Green Eyed Monster

1 Corinthians 13:4b “. . . [love] does not envy . . .”
 
The green-eyed monster is a term referring to envy which was first used by Shakespeare in his play Othello. The ancient Greeks believed that the emotion of envy created an overproduction of bile in the body, thus causing the face to become an unpleasant green color. The color green is also used to describe someone who is ill. The envious feeling of discontentment or covetousness in regard to another’s successes, possessions, or advantages, though it may not actually turn your face green, will  certainly produce a sick outlook on life – an outlook that will hinder the kind of love that the Bible describes.
True love does not envy. It does not desire what someone else has and can truly be happy for the blessings others enjoy even while watching from the sidelines. This is a quality that is sometimes hard to practice in a world where everyone is trying to “keep up with the Joneses.'” If a friend gets a new iPhone, then it’s easy to want one too. If a classmate is a straight A student, then one might become disillusioned with well-earned B’s.
Adults have the same problem, only the stakes get higher. The promotion of a colleague sometimes produces annoyance that you were passed over. A family member gets a new car or house, and suddenly your auto is out of date and your home too small. These types of attitudes create a barrier between us and the ones we love. The green-eyed monster steps into our heart and pushes love out.
One way to kick this unruly ogre from our hearts and minds is to focus on who we are and the blessings we have. Our attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus. He had the very nature of God and did not think that equality with God was something to be grasped. When He humbled Himself and came to earth He lived without many of the earthly amenities that the rest of the world enjoyed and didn’t desire or seek after them. He knew who He was and why He had come – to love the world and rescue them from their sins.
When we focus on who we are in Christ and recognize that all our possessions and talents are gifts from Him, we free our hearts from the envious monster’s grip and let floods of thankfulness flow in. This sets us free to love others the way Christ does.
If you are struggling with the sickness of envy, just ask Jesus for help. Let Him fill your heart instead and then you will begin to love more like He does. He’s the only one Who can help you kick the green-eyed monster to the curb!

Love,

Mama




Leave a Comment





IMG_5149_Original

Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

Subscribe

Subscribe below to receive FREE Bible Verse Encouragement Cards
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Categories

Archives

Listen to the Podcast