I was talking to some young ministers recently who have become popular on the national landscape. They shared that they sense jealousy and criticism from their peers in response to what they say. I’ve noticed something kind of interesting. When we are being critical in ministry, or pick on other people, it’s often not because of something they said —it’s because of envy.
There are a few key elements to envy:
- Envy is desiring something someone else has. In Mark 15:20, Pilot noted that it was for envy that the Jewish leaders brought Jesus forward for trial. This was very discerning of Pilot. You see, envy is an emotion you need to understand. If someone is doing something that you thought you could do but didn’t do, then you experience jealousy or envy. I’m never jealous of a prizefighter who knocks somebody out. I’m never jealous of a rock star who has a big following. You know why? I’m not a boxer and I’m not a singer. No matter the career field you are in, if you see someone attaining favor and results that you intuitively know you could have had also—but you didn’t take the steps to get there—that’s envy! It’s essential to learn to celebrate the victories of others if we are to proceed with the right heart and walk in a place of favor.
- Be on guard when envy creeps in. Start to watch where that comes from. The enemy wants to keep you focused on what you don’t have—on who you aren’t—instead of on who God made you to be and how far you've come.
- Don’t try to be someone else. Comparison is the death of authenticity. Be fully who you are. Recognize that God will never hold back anything from you that is in the field of possibility. Heaven plays no favorites. Your task is to fully develop your own capacity. When you are jealous or envious of others, it’s because someone else is attaining results of which you are also capable. Observe and figure out what steps they are taking that you haven’t yet.
Note: If YOU are the target of envy and jealousy, take it as the backhanded compliment that it is.
Question: Who are you critical of? Is jealousy the root of this criticism? Who are you comparing yourself with? Do you need to “let it go”? Can you bear to hear others celebrated in your presence? Release all unhealthy comparisons. Discover your unique task. Work your own field! Let the Lord speak to you about who you are and who you are meant to be. Comment below!
Want to learn how to walk this out? September 9-11 in Dallas we will be finding our place and working our field at Kingdom and Calling 7m Summit 2016. Find out more at 7mSummit.com.
As One!
Lance
I wonder though – I always thought it was okay to want something someone else has if it is a legitimate desire and there is no jealousy. For example, Bob has a horse and I want one. So I work to make it happen because I’ve always wanted a horse too. In that case, would that be considered envy?
No, remember the Wonderful Holy Spirit only places good desires in our heart, nothing wrong with desiring a horse, horses are good…??
In chronic pain, my spine. No money, nothing not a cent, lost all, everything. Am \I envious of others ? When I comment on others.
Depends on what kind of comments you’re making…?
for example. Some people clearly don’t get healed. What are they , I, to think of the preachers who quote scripture to the contrary? So the comment I made was not only for myself but for the many who read and listen to the preachers who preach about good health and wealth. Many people who walk with God are sick. I pray most of the day in the spirit, my Wife and myself pray each day / night, together, read the bible, and in general have a very good relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, We give to the Lord etc. We still have sickness. as do loads of people just like me, only some ae very young in the Lord. We must be very careful what we say or we could drive some young persons, Mad. yes Mad, I have seen it.
Hi William. Sounds like you are walking through a horrible season. As I drag through a sad, difficult season, it is so stinkin hard sometimes to look at social media…seeing others actually having fun, taking vacations, enjoying family time, ugg. Too much social media messes with the mind for sure in difficult times. I like what Steven Furtick said about this- we get to see that prettified final take, not behind the scenes. Blessings on you William for a fresh touch from the Master.
Sorry for ranting on. My point is. Some people may get jealous, etc. when they hear stories about “How the Lord has healed me” from others. I sometimes wonder, what have I done. Or why did God heal them, and not me. That what I was trying to say.
If you are feeling envy toward someone else stop yourself and start flowing admiration to them. If you are receiving envy from someone, find something they do really well and admire them for that. Admiration: a feeling of wonder or delighted approval.
Remember God is love. You are made in His image & likeness. Your default program is mercy, grace, love, peace & joy. ??????
I agree my friend, when negative thoughts attempt to invade your mind about someone, that’s when you say, “Help me here, Holy Spirit”, & He always does??
Thanks. I need to understand pain more. It only gets to me when I see other men older than me, enjoying the golf, or working. Life is strange. God’s knows how to keep us on track, and in line for the great prize, hard to believe. Anyone know of good sites with Godly content on pain, understanding pain.
In my mind envy and jealousy can also be an indication of lack of faith. Pain and poverty for example can both be overcome by faith in Jesus. For example:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13 NKJ)
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isa. 53:5 NKJ)
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. (Mal. 3:10 NKJ)
You know what Doug P.? A lot of Christians don’t know that we are already walking & living in Gods blessing and favor because of what Jesus did for us at Calvary. (Today), we are blessed with all Spiritual, physical, & financial blessings, through Him & our inheritance is ……IMMORTALITY!! We have eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, when? NOW! Nothing that happens to us in “this life” can compare to that & there’s nothing we could ever do (i.e. tithing) to earn or keep Gods’ blessings from flowing in our lives …these wonderful things are His gifts to us through Jesus, because He’s our PaPa & He truly loves us…Yeah!!!????
I can see what you are saying, and believe it.
Now let me say, I came to know the Lord 45 years ago. I walked and fell like all. I have found that it is very easy, or not as hard, to praise the Lord when, one has money, and one has health.
Paul writes about suffering several times.
Also it is very upsetting to read / hear people quoting scripture about health. I have tried, I believe, I prayed, my wife prays.
Now I am not complaining. I am bringing to the table, a very common problem. The Bible says one thing, but in reality it does not work out. Second a person in pain or very sick could end up very confused / upset reading or listening to kind people giving advice. At present the Church is not working, people are not been healed, maybe a little inner healing, something that does not need to be proven by medics. What does a person who is sick, broke, do when they cannot get to a conference on heling. How do they feel, maybe worse. Envy would be mild.
I understand exactly what you are saying William.If we were sitting together you would know I know. I will not give you scripture because you know them. I will not give you advice because you have had lots…more than enough.
I try like you to live above and not below.
Sometimes we succeed and other times we feel we don’t but that’s not how God sees us. He loves to love us.
Lance gives free of charge a download called Convergence I am finding this very useful. Pain, perplexity and promotion by Bob Sorge also spoke to me.
May the Holy Spirit’s leading be a blessing to you and your precious wife.
VERY GOOD! Yeah, can see that in me!! WOW! Yeah, something to watch for in me!
ALSO, the Lord just gave me this recently.
I’ve been seeing soooo many Christians posting negative political stuff about the candidate they don’t like. He reminded me of OUR 2nd commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” And He asked me this, “If they’re posting the dirty laundry of their neighbor, and they are COMMANDED to love their neighbor as themselves, shouldn’t they be posting their own dirty laundry too? Or expecting others to do so?”
Good question! How pure is our heart that He can pour His Glory through!
Blessings!
I’ll call it “preacher envy”, hah!? Don’t those preachers have anything better to do than criticize each other and compare themselves among each other? How typical of where the “church” is today, so small minded…. Get off the milk bottle for God sake!!!
When you are feeling envy toward someone else. Stop yourself & start flowing admiration to them. If you are receiving envy from someone, find something they are really good at & admire them for it.
Admiration: a feeling of wonder or delighted approval. Since God is love and we are made in His image & likenes our default program is mercy, grace, love, peace and joy.
???????????
hmm… I often feel like God is disappointed in me when I look at others successes and I feel like I can/should be doing that. But what keeps me from doing it is fear I will make a mistake and then feeling like I’ve be a disappointment to God. Is that envy?
Peg, my beautiful Sister, in Christ. Let me tell you something, God is never, ever disappointed with us. Do you realize or understand how in love God is with mankind….we are His prized possession, He was so passionate about us that He came robed in flesh & gave His life & rose up again to redeem us to Himself. If God put something good in your heart to do, just do it! & trust Him for the things that aren’t “humanly” possible to do..Please remember that He sent Holy Spirit to comfort & encourage us, He will never condemn us or beat us up, so please don’t allow the enemy to make you beat yourself up & please do yourself a favor, stop looking at others & start looking at Jesus & let Holy Spirit direct you. Just take some time to listen with your heart, He is always speaking & He will answer whatever you ask Him, just say “o.k. Holy Spirit, here I am, what’s next? Then listen…..???
I thank God and praise Jesus every day that I’m not Lance Wallnau. You are correct, I don’t envy you nor am I jealous of you. What true follower of Christ would want your beliefs, emotions, thoughts, words, actions, and appearance. You are the poster child for charlatans. I will enjoy watching you burn in a Hell of your own making. God is going to get you Lance Wallnau, preferably with extreme Old Testament wrath.
That was the most ugly and hateful thing I have read in a while. Shame shame Stephen…. You sould like you’re full of demons. What would make you say such horrible things… Hell. I feel very sorry for you and i pray you see the light before it’s too late buddy.
You should keep your ugliness to yourself. I know this man probably prays for God to be good to you… think about that.
If you don’t have anything good to say, you probably shouldn’t say anything goes at all…
Please explain, Why . I would love to know ?
Apparently, Maddie you have not been blessed with the discernment of the Holy Ghost. I pray in the True Name of Our Savior, Yeshua, that you receive a full measure of Holy Ghost power discernment so you can see the true nature of this Demon who calls himself Lance Wallnau. Be he thrown in the river with a millstone ’round his neck for leading any of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ down the gold paved road to Hell.
That was the most ugly and hateful thing I have read in a while. Shame shame Stephen…. You sound like you’re full of demons spirits. What would make you say such horrible things… Hell.
I feel very sorry for you and i pray you see the light before it’s too late.
You should keep your ugliness to yourself. I know this man probably prays for God to be good to you… think about that.
If you don’t have anything good to say, you probably shouldn’t say anything at all…
I my self don’t really do envy. .I’ve always loved encouraging people better ..cleverer whatever it is .
Although through out my life I have suffied from people being envious..and it’s so painful…?