Combatting Jealousy

"Do not let thine heart envy sinners, but be zealous in fear of the LORD all the day...hear my son and be wise; and guide thine heart in the way."

                      Proverbs 23:17 & 19

For a split second you entertain the thought of missing out... Are you really doing the right thing? Then jealousy shows up. You wonder how you even got to this point! How could you think something so ridiculous?! The war rages in your head as you try to combat the fear and jealousy that seemingly came from nowhere. Then suddenly, there is a voice that whispers "You are such a hypocrite!". At this point you are ready to cry. Am I really a hypocrite?

The definition of hypocrite is: "A person who claims to have certain beliefs, but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs". There is a difference between being a hypocrite and battling the jealousy that arises. If we profess to be counter-cultural in the dating area, and then act against what we say, that is hypocrisy. However, if we are battling jealousy and trying to overcome it with truth - that is totally different. Sometimes it's easy to let jealousy creep up in us. Maybe we have a friend who went on a date, or maybe we have noticed a guy and we are jealous of the attention he is giving other girls. Whatever the case, jealousy is a problem. If we let it take the reigns, we will be tempted to do something we will regret. The verse above tells us not to envy sinners. I'm not saying dating is a direct sin. What I am saying though, is for us as young ladies who have been convicted and called to something higher, not following what God has shown us would be sin. (To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. John 5:17) When we are tempted to feel left out or envious of others, we should stop and think about what we are missing out on. When you put it in perspective, remember by "missing out" we will experience the joy of knowing we saved a pure, un-defiled heart for our future husband! This verse says to be "zealous in the fear of the Lord". We should be praying and delighting in the Lord. Use the springboard method! Every time you start to entertain thoughts of jealousy, pray or quote a piece of scripture. Pray for the girls you know who are compromising their purity. Thank Jesus that He has opened your eyes and called you to be counter-cultural. It won't be easy - fighting the flesh never is. I have to constantly pray and ask the Lord to strengthen me. I do know that we will never regret waiting. "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Philippians 2:16

Take time to praise the Lord for what he has done in your life and ask Him to help you as you continue to fight the Good Fight and guard your heart.

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:13-14