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Works of the Flesh: Emulations (Covetous Jealousy)
John the Baptist's Godly Response to Jesus' Growing Ministry
In the third chapter of the Gospel of John, we read that John the Baptist was baptizing in Aenon near Salim some time after he had baptized Jesus; and at that same time Jesus also was baptizing people in Judea. Some of John's disciples came to John and reported that Jesus was in Judea baptizing and that much more people were coming to Him to be baptized, inferring that Jesus was doing a much bigger work now than John was. But John saw the bigger picture and refused to feel slighted or jealous because Christ was baptizing more than he was. (John 3:22-31)
The apostle John, the author of the Gospel of John clarifies this (John 4:1) by saying that Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples were performing the actual baptisms. So the disciples of John and the disciples of Jesus were both baptizing people at the same time in different locations, but this caused a certain question to arise amongst the followers about who was doing the most in their ministries.
Because John's disciples were loyal to him as their rabbi/teacher, they were concerned that someone that John had previously baptized, was doing a greater work than he and that this Jesus could very well be in competition with him, even greatly exceeding John's ministry. In their reporting they even exaggerated the situation by saying "all are coming to Him" insinuating that all the people were running to Jesus rather than to John. It seems that they were taken up with concerns that John was losing disciples to another teacher. It appears that they had missed, or had forgotten, the foretold role of John the Baptist; to be a forerunner of Jesus Christ, not to compete with Him once Jesus began His ministry.
John told them that "a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven", meaning that any ministry or gifts that a person receives actually come from God, not from himself. It is God who is in control of what happens in each individual's life. If we understand that it is God that gives to us our portion and what we are to do, then it doesn't matter how great or how little our works are; as long as we are doing the best we can and are being faithful to what has been given to us to manage. If we are faithful in little, that counts as much as being faithful in much; but it is the faithfulness that is important.
If we stay faithful to our responsibilities even if they are small in comparison to others, God will eventually give us much more to be stewards of in the future according to our abilities and the diligence we showed in our lifetimes. It may not even be until we are assigned our place in God's Kingdom, but even then it is all up to God.
John the Baptist compared himself as being like the friend of a bridegroom; who had been given the job of making all of the arrangements and to manage all the details in preparing for the wedding feast. But when all the arrangements are in order and the bridegroom comes, then he (John) must step back out of the way and let the Bridegroom take the limelight. His joy is that he did his part well to prepare for the Bridegroom. He was content to let Jesus have the preeminence now and rejoice that the preparations were progressing as planned and to be glad for the Bridegroom.
John further elaborated that he was not interested in being on the same par with Christ, and that his job was to only go before Him to get the people ready for Christ's appearing. He could rejoice that what he had been given to do was being accomplished and that he had witnessed the fulfillment of what his whole ministry had been about; foretold to him from his infancy. John told his disciples that he now needed to start fading from the scene and let Christ become the prominent teacher and Rabbi and be allowed to fulfill His divine mission on earth. "He must increase, but I must decrease". John the Baptist, even when baited by his own disciples to become jealous of Jesus' growing work, stayed a humble and gracious man.
John was content with his role in life knowing that he had been appointed to be the "voice in the wilderness" before Jesus' appearing, and that he had been given the privilege of becoming Jesus' friend. John the Baptist had the honor of being used by God to be the predicted herald of the first coming of the Messiah and preparing the way for Him. The coming of Jesus to fulfill prophecy was the greatest event taking place at that time in the history of mankind and John had been chosen to be a prophet of that prophecy, yet he remained humble.
(Luke 1:76-80)
John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
What Does it Mean to Manifest Emulations - A Work of the Flesh?
This week we are looking at "emulations" a work of the flesh from Paul's list in Galatians 5:19-21.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The definition of emulation is to be jealous and to envy others. The Greek word for emulations is zelos (Strong's #2205) and means (a) eagerness, zeal, enthusiasm, (b) jealousy, rivalry, ardor, malice. (Strong's Concordance)
This word can also mean to be zealous and to be full of enthusiasm as with spirit fueled zeal to serve God. The root zē (-zeal) can be used both negatively ("jealousy") and positively ("zeal") depending on the context. And in this context as a "work of the flesh" this word has a negative connotation.
The Hebrew word for envy, jealousy, zeal is qinah from qana (Strong's #7068) and means jealousy or envy -- envy(-ied), jealousy, X sake, zeal. qinah: ardor, zeal, jealousy. (Strong's Concordance)
Emulation is a term that means the same as jealousy and we know that jealousy is having a resentful desire for someone else's advantages or position in life. It means to covet or envy what someone else has; to envy their gifts/talents, or what another person has been given to do. Jealousies cause much grief and pain and does much damage; to the one who becomes jealous, and for the person who is the target of that one's jealousy. In this account, John's disciples became very jealous of the all the attention that Jesus was receiving and felt threatened that they may be losing what they felt was rightfully theirs (but actually had only been given to them from God).
The Way of Cain
The problem of jealousy has always been an issue throughout man's history ever since Cain became jealous of Abel (and even further back in time when Satan became jealous of God). And jealousy is also very prevalent among all peoples on earth in our day, including being a problem in the Ekklesia, amongst God's people.
Emulation destroys relationships, it pits each other against each other. This is the work of the flesh causes division, strife, violence and wars. It can cause church congregations, or as we have witness so many times, church groups to split; with brethren separating from each other because of feuding among the leaders which then infects the whole group. Jealousy, when not dealt with, turns into a corrosive bitterness that quickly spreads and has the power to destroy people's relationships, lives, and their witness for God's truth.
In this account of John the Baptist, it was John that quickly saw through the pettiness of envy. He then addressed it in a very firm manner nipping it in the bud at the very beginning of the jealousy that had sprung up amongst his disciples.
As with the previous works of the flesh that we have been studying, jealousy originated with Lucifer when he became envious of God and wanted to to usurp Him and take His place. His pride and jealousy led to hatred, which led to outright rebellion against God.
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
In Genesis we have the brutal account of jealousy on the part of Cain in the very beginning of mankind's history with two of Adam and Eve's own children.
When it came time to give an offering to God, Cain and Abel each brought their gifts. Abel brought an offering of the firstborn of his flocks, described as being the fat of flocks indicating that he gave of the best that he had. There was no similar praise for Cain's offering. His offering apparently was not a proper kind of sacrifice; and in addition could have been made with a grudging or careless attitude of giving to God. Whatever the problem was, his sacrifice was not pleasing to God and God let him know that his sacrifice was not accepted. At any rate, Abel's offering was better than Cain's offering. We are told in Hebrews 11 that Abel was a righteous man.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
God accepted Abel's offering with favor, but He rejected Cain's offering. Abel in his devotion and generosity gave to God what was excellent, while Cain's offering did not please the Lord; but the fault lie with Cain not Abel. Abel had merely done what he thought was right, wanting to please the Lord regardless of whatever Cain was doing. But Cain did not see it that way. He did not take responsibility for his own actions but became very jealous of Abel because Abel's gift pleased the Lord and his did not. His jealousy caused him to become very angry at Abel instead of humbly acknowledging that it was he that had done poorly and had not measured up to what God expected of him.
Cain had no right at all to hold his own lack of diligence and and lack of devotion to God against his brother who was diligent and devoted and only trying to do what was pleasing to God.
Cain allowed his jealousy of his brother to turn to anger, then hate, then retaliation in the form of murdering him. Instead of repenting of his poor choice of an offering and making a heartfelt commitment to do better and to even emulate his righteous brother in giving offerings, he allowed his jealousy to take over his mind.
The record in Genesis attributes Cain's murder to a clear motive: Cain became angry at his brother because God preferred Abel's sacrifice to Cain's presumably out of jealousy. The word for jealousy is not used in this passage but it is plain to see that the anger arose because Cain saw that the Lord accepted Abel's gift but did not accept his own which made him jealous of Abel.
When God saw that Cain was angry, He warned him and tried to reason with him to get control over his emotions, but instead of obeying Him, Cain gave in completely to his jealousy, taking his brother's life. God told him to contain his anger, to set his mind to do better next time and if he did, then he too would be accepted. God's admonition seems so logical and if followed would have provided a very quick and simple solution. God in effect was warning him "And if you refuse to do this then sin is lurking at your door and it will master you, but you must master it".
The carnal works of the flesh which Cain was clearly exhibiting were ruling him, taking control over his emotions and his reasoning process and God exhorted him to take proper control and do what was right. But Cain did not listen to God, his own Creator and who was the Almighty God of the Universe; this Great Being who spoke to him directly and said "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." (Genesis 4:6-7)
God was telling Cain, just like He tells us in so many places of His Word, "don't let your carnal sinful emotions get the better of you, but learn to check them and not let them master over your life, instead you must be the master over them".
But just like his parents who did not listen to God's commands, Cain ignored the words of God and gave in to the sin that was filling up in his heart and went ahead and murdered his brother as soon as he had the chance. Even after he killed him, Cain remained in a bad attitude, refusing to take responsibility for what he had done. He showed no apparent remorse at all when responding to God's inquiring of him as to where Abel was. He lied and said he did not know and sarcastically retorted "am I my brother's keeper?"
Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord .2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
So the first murder in mankind's history was when Cain killed Abel because he was angry with him. That anger was sparked by the works of the flesh, initially by the work called"emulations" or as we know it in modern terms; "jealousy" which then fueled the anger and hatred which then produced the murder of Abel.
There could have been a much better ending to this whole scenario if Cain would have just listened to God, checked his anger, repented and sought forgiveness. But instead he chose to ignore God's instruction and then sought out his own carnal solution to his problem and became the first murderer.
And the world has been going that route ever since, ignoring God's instruction to love and to care for our brothers. The human race instead kills those that get in their way, thinking that if they can just get rid of those that are the objects of their raging jealousy and envy; that will solve all their problems. Of course we know that this is a result of humans plugging into the mindset and influence of Satan who was the first murderer from the beginning.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Cain went the way of Satan and obeyed him rather than listen to God and then seek to follow after Him and live according to God's ways. Cain did not have the respect to take the trouble to present a proper offering to God. He then refused to listen to God about mastering his feelings and went ahead and killed his own brother. And the propensity to follow after Cain's example has continued throughout history and is culminating/climaxing in these very last days.
1st John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
The Bible equates the way of Cain to the way of Satan, because Cain acted just like Satan behaves.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain.....
Jealousy's Role in the History of Humanity
The Bible records the history of humanity ever since that fateful day and is chuck full of incidences of individuals that allowed themselves to become overcome with jealousy toward those that they deemed as a threat to their own standing with God and others.
There are so many accounts of jealousy being acted out in the lives of the people of God in Scripture that it would take volumes to go through them all. The horrible results are so very evident of what this carnal evil attitude has produced to shape the course of man's miserable existence ever since the fatal choices of the first humans.
We are reminded of how Sarah was jealous of Hagar's son Ishmael even though it was at her suggestion that Abraham have a son by her. She had Abraham banish him from the presence of her own son Isaac when she feared that Ishmael might be a threat to the blessings that were promised to her son Isaac (Genesis 21:9-10).
We know that Esau became jealous of Jacob because of the trickery to get his birthright and his blessing and what problems that caused for the family; not only for that time but also in all the subsequent generations since. (Genesis 27:34-45)
Rachel was jealous of Leah her sister, for Leah was able to have children but she was barren. Leah envied Rachel because Jacob loved Rachel more than herself. This all made for a very emotionally volatile family situation that must have rubbed off on all of the children as well.
Genesis 30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
Another very moving example that we have studied about recently on TheShiningLight blog in our study of Genesis that involves jealousy, is in the account of Joseph and what his brothers were willing to do to him in response to their feelings of envy toward him. They actually wanted to kill their own little brother, but instead sold him into slavery; because of their jealousy of their father's favoritism for him. This is another very clear cut example of what jealousy can do in families and how it can motivate family members to commit the most heinous crimes against each other.
We just recently studied about Saul and how his love for David tuned into a consuming jealousy and how he subsequently tried for many years to hunt David down to destroy him for no other reason than to keep him from being the next king in Israel.
The results of these situations, with the ongoing jealousy carried over to these families' descendants, have been disastrous; with strife and wars throughout history even until our very day. We can clearly see how horrible this evil thing is that is called "jealousy"!
In the New Testament we read the story of the prodigal son, a very inspiring and reassuring parable of how a father loved his wayward son. The father never gave up, hoping that his youngest son would one day come home. His hope was realized when his son came home one day and asked his father for forgiveness.
The son's sins were forgiven, his position as son was restored and he came back into the household and the will of his father. But at the end of the parable is the account of the elder son who became jealous because of his father's forgiveness over the return of his younger brother and of the ensuing exuberant celebration.
The celebrating was somewhat marred by the older brother's envy of his father's care and forgiveness for a brother that he felt did not deserve such a generous and joyful response from his father. The father had to reassure his eldest son that his faithfulness had been noted and appreciated; that he too was cherished, but it was fitting to celebrate over the return of a beloved son who had found his way back from being lost and was now once again back in the family's graces.
Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
And we too must be quick to forgive our brethren and welcome them back when and if they do sincerely repent and want to return to fellowship and once again partake of God's grace for them. How can we, who also are in need of God's grace and forgiveness on a continuous basis, ever withhold rejoicing over the repentance of a child of God because of some type of envy or jealousy on our part? This is just not the mind of God if we should ever have this attitude that this older brother had toward those who sincerely repent and want to become one of God's people; either for the first time or if they are returning after turning away for a season.
Examples For the People of God and What We Can Learn From Lessons Recorded in History
What do all of these examples of these people in the Bible and how they handled their jealousy mean for God's children today? All these accounts are given to us as examples to glean the lessons they teach and to learn from them. The apostle Paul addresses this and tells us not to follow in the ways of carnal men who failed to obey and failed to remain faithful to God.
1st Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
God wants us to study these lessons and heed what He has to say about learning how to master these types of spiritually destructive behaviors that put us on the path to destruction. But He is also reassuring us that all of these temptations, which are common to all humans (of which jealousy is also one of them), can be overcome with His help. He will provide a way of escape and a way to overcome if we will only run to Him when we recognize these behaviors and attitudes within ourselves. He then says to FLEE from idolatry. And "emulation" is a type of idolatry because it is putting oneself above everything else, including God. The apostle Paul concludes this passage of Scripture warning us also to flee from these things, "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry." (1st Corinthians 10:14)
As we experience jealousy being played out in ourselves and in the lives of others; we can see that it is a very ugly character trait and it begins to work in humans from the time we are infants. Jealousy is everywhere and there are no lack of things to be jealous of. People get jealous over the neighbor's brand new car, their new house, how someone looks, how someone we work with is always getting promotions and accolades above ourselves. Or maybe it's over someone's music or speaking abilities, or even by how many more friends someone may have than us.
Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Jealousy is common to all human beings and is a part of everybody's lives. We are just wired, it seems, to get jealous of others very easily. So how can we get control over our jealous tendencies and instead just appreciate who we are and what we have? Even though the whole world around us is steeped in the throes of envying and jealousy, we as God's children must learn to exhibit a better way (God's Way). God expects us to be lights to the rest of this dark world in which we live rather than to be conformed to it.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Here, in the following verse, Peter describes fleshly lusts [the evil desires, the passions of the flesh,] as being at war within us against our very being and that is exactly what it feels like sometimes, a type of war going on between what we carnally want to do and what we know we should be doing. Peter tells us that if we overcome and abstain from these negative emotions, we then can be examples for others who will see our "good works"; and the works will contradict the evil things they had to say about us.
1st Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
And Paul further describes this concept and how we need to be constantly vigilant in seeking to overcome the pulls of the flesh. This is talking about all of the works of the flesh, but just as we have been studying, we come to see that the fleshly works are all intermingled and work either in tandem with one another, or with one leading up to produce the others; i.e. jealousy leads to anger, anger to hatred, hatred to murder; etc. So in essence, this series of studies about conquering all of these works of the flesh are lumped together in a package that these verses call sin and evil. Paul tells us to recognize these powerful emotions when we do war with them and then seek our help through our Lord and Savior who promises to help us to get the victory over them.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me [that is, in my flesh,] dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.[I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [fixed and operating in my soul]. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [rule of action of my being] 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh]. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this [the shackles of] death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Feelings of jealousy may be humanly unavoidable, but ultimately we are responsible for how we deal with this emotion; and here Paul tells us to overcome by taking on the mind of Christ. How do we do that? By seeking Him daily, putting Him first, imbibing of His Holy Spirit by studying and memorizing His Word and then meditating on it day and night and applying it to our lives.
King David wrote of the objects of his meditation, which were: God's Word, God's laws, precepts, statutes, commandments, and judgments. David then internalized and incorporated these laws and statutes into his own nature and applied them to his life, letting God's Word become the very core and basis of his spiritual being, who he was, and who he was becoming. If we will incorporate these same habits we will find it easier and easier to have the victory over the carnal nature of jealously, and as we become more and more secure in our relationship with our Lord.
Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
As often as we can, we must take time out during the day to study and meditate as we sit quietly, or maybe while taking a walk, or while having our prayer and study time. We also can train ourselves to always be meditating no matter what we are doing, as we go about our daily activities, thinking about spiritual things, asking ourselves if this is something Jesus would want me to be feeling about a certain situation? Or how would He handle this difficulty that I'm having? And then filter everything that enters our mind through the grid of the Word of God with all of its precepts and commandments. Singing or listening to psalms and spiritual songs are a way of meditating, as well, as we go about our day.
Psalm 119:147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. 148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
When we feel that we are up against a struggle we can draw close to God by fasting and through intense heart wrenching prayer, just as David says he had to do to overcome his evil inclinations.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Jealousy can sometimes be a type of fear for we can become overly jealous when our love for someone feels like it is being threatened and that maybe we are losing that person if he or she is paying more attention to others than he or she is giving to us. We are to overcome this type also with godly love that casts out all fear.
Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
1st John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Who is the Greatest?
The concept of being content in the role that they had been called to (that John the Baptist expressed so eloquently), had not yet been learned by the disciples at this point in time. They constantly bickered and questioned as to who was to be the greatest amongst them.
Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Jesus told them that they were to become servants to each other even to the least, as He displayed to them a little child, rather than always seeking the chief seats.
Apparently they still had not understood about envying as they brought to Jesus' attention one that was doing the works of God but who was not a member of their own small group. Jesus is saying we are not to be envious of each other over the work or the ministry that we each are doing in His name.
Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
In Matthew 18, there is another passage that illustrates the true childlike attitude we should have as Christians; and that we need to accept those who are deemed the least (such as little children).
Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
James in his letter, describes to us the ways we are not to emulate, which are the opposite of what it is like to be innocent of these things like little children.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Paul says that if we do express these things we are still carnal and need to repent of the works that are causing these things.
1st Corinthians 3:33 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
One of the most important things we must be good stewards over, is our emotions that God has provided us with. Solomon exhorts us to have rule over our emotions just as God told Cain. We are to GUARD what comes into our heart and put away anything that is not godly; including the lusts of the flesh.
Proverbs 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep [GUARD] thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Our capacity to have feelings and emotions are priceless possessions, created and given to us by our Creator that we must protect, guard and control. We must never let our carnal nature, nor someone else control how we react; or to influence us to have strong emotions that are negative and destructive.
God expects us to use our emotions to glorify Him, to love, adore, to feel joy, to feel empathy for others, to have zealousness and enthusiasm for all the things that will motivate us to live for Him and to do His will. If we let our carnal nature rule our lives or let others have rule over us; tempting us in becoming jealous of others, or as to what we should be feeling, or how we should react to any given situation; we become like a city broken down without walls. This work of the flesh, if not controlled properly (sometimes without even meaning to), can cause us to self-destruct or to ruin our precious relationships and friendships by pushing them away with our feelings of jealousy toward them.
 Being a follower of Jesus means we must put aside our own expectations and desires sometimes and accept the things that are part of our lives, not striving for the things that God in His wisdom has not granted to us yet. We must take up our cross daily by shedding the works of the flesh with includes this destructive emotion God calls jealousy. We must bring every thought and emotion to the control of God, letting Him be the master of how we react or manage our emotions toward others.
John the Baptist was an excellent example of the attitude we all should have in our view of others when God is prospering and blessing them in their sacrifice and work for Him. No wonder Jesus; when speaking of John the Baptist to the multitudes and explaining to them what kind of humble prophet he was, could say with confidence:
Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.....
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