OVERCOMING JEALOUSY

THE ISSUE OF JEALOUSY

A. WHEN GOD IS RAISING UP YOUR LITTLE BROTHER

1. In our text God is raising up Joseph, he’s second to youngest of 12 brothers, he’s loved by his father and the bible says, “his bros hated him and couldn”t speak peaceably t him.”

2. Have you ever hated your bro or sis so much that you couldn’t speak good to them or about them?

a.) Def. Hated= The strong sense of the word typifies the emotion of jealousy; and therefore, sane˒ is the feeling Joseph’s brothers experienced because their father preferred him

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

1. When God is working in your life, it causes others to become jealous.

EX: Cain and Abel- God is working in Abel’s life, his brother Cain becomes Jealous of his brother because God shows approval to his offering and disapproval to Cain’s.

Genesis 4:3–5 (ESV)

3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

2. We know that Cain’s jealousy of Abel eventually led to murder. Genesis 4:8 (ESV)

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

EX: King Saul and David- At one point Saul loved David, he was Saul’s most loyal general but when Saul recognized that God was raising David up giving him victory, he became jealous. 1 Samuel 18:7–9 (HCSB)

7 As they celebrated, the women sang:

Saul has killed his thousands,

but David his tens of thousands.

8 Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward.

II. JEALOUSY WILL CAUSE YOU TO TRY AND SABOTAGE YOUR BROTHER’S MINISTRY OR CALLING

A. JEALOUSY WANTS DELIBERATELY DESTROY THOSE IN IT’S WAY

1. Joseph’s brothers sought to destroy his ministry by getting rid of him. Gen. tells us they thought about killing him but then decided to sell him into slavery.

2. Listen, God help you if you try or are trying to sabotage your bro’s ministry! Trying to make them look bad .

3. You know what’s interesting though they got rid of Joseph, God continued to work in Joseph’s life. Genesis 39:1–2 (NKJV)

Joseph a Slave in Egypt

39 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

4. No matter how hard you try to get rid of your bro or sis, God is still on their side working in their lives.

EX: King Saul was doing everything in his power to get rid of David, but the time God was with him.

5. When you’re jealous of your sis or bro and fighting against them, you’re actually fighting against God. Acts 5:38–39 (NKJV)

38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

ILL: Guys were talking who could next bible study assistants be, one bro said us another said can’t be they’re aren’t married...

6. Jealousy is an issue you’ll have deal with in ministry.

III. OVERCOMING JEALOUSY

A. JEALOUSY HURTS OTHERS

ILL: Rob/ Laura, kids hurt future destiny.

1. Bro’s jealousy towards Joseph hurt their father. Genesis 37:34–35 (NKJV)

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.

B. OVERCOME JEALOUSY

1. Don’t speak it. James 3:14–16 (NKJV)

14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

2. Repent. Pray for deliverance. Pray for brethren’s success.