1.Overcoming the Spirit of Jealousy
Spirit of Jealousy
Manifestations: Murder, Revenge-Spite, Anger-Rage, Jealousy, Hatred, Cruelty, Strife, Contention, Competition, Envy, Cause Divisions Scriptures: (Genesis 4:4-6; 37:3,4,8; Proverbs 6:34; 10:12; 13:10; 14:16-17,29-30; 22:24-25; 27:4; 29:22-23; Numbers 5:14,30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Song of Solomon 8:6; Galatians 5:19)
Roots: "The Works of the Flesh," Galatians 5:19–21.
"By their fruits, you will know all men." Matthew 7:20. According to Matthew 6:10; 11:12; 12:29; 16:18; 18:18; 28:18 Bind: Spirit of jealousy
Loose: Love of God, 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 5:2
Overcoming the Spirit of Jealousy Overcoming the Evil, Strong Men Overcoming evil spirits and demolishing strongholds of Satan, which fight against the soul of man
The spirit of jealousy
The spirit of jealousy is a “worldly spirit." It controls people who are carnal-minded. Jealousy, in this context, is envy—it results in strife and divisions. You are still worldly. Since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another says, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 1 Cor. 3:3-4 NIV
If the spirit of jealousy is allowed in the church, it makes “children of the kingdom” walk as ordinary men. For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men? 1 Cor 3:3 KJV
The main aim of this evil supernatural power is to make Christians unspiritual, having the nature of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. The spirit of jealousy controls men to walk after a human standard, like mere (unchanged) men. Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. But a man who commits adultery lacks judgement; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away, for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is. Prov. 6:30–35 NIV
Jealousy makes the wronged man furious; therefore, he will not spare in the day of vengeance upon the detected one. Jealousy is more dangerous and cruel than anger. Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Prov. 27:4 NIV
Anger, rage, revenge, and negative competition are all associated with the spirit of jealousy."' Because you have said, "These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them," even though I, the Lord, was there, therefore, as surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them, and I will make myself known among them when I judge you. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, "They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour." You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it. This is what the sovereign Lord says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of the house of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, O Mount Seir, you and all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the Lord.'" Ezek 35:10–15 NIV
In this passage, because Edom said, Israel and Judah shall be mine, and we will take possession of them, Therefore, the Lord declared, “I will deal with you according to the anger and envy you showed because of your enmity for them, and I will make myself known among them as He Who will judge and punish when I judge and punish you. And you shall know, understand, and realise that I am the Lord—the sovereign ruler—who calls forth loyalty and obedient service, and that I have heard all your revilings and scornful speeches that you have uttered against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid waste and desolate; they are given to us to devour. The Lord declared to make desolate the enemies of His people who come against them in ‘the spirit of envy and rage’. You will be desolate, O Mount Seir, you and all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the Lord.'" (v.15).
Under the domain of this evil strongman are demons of murder, rage, revenge, competition, and suspicion.
In Numbers 5:11–31, we read of 'the adultery test' which was for protection from marital unfaithfulness. This was a law concerning the solemn trial of a wife whose husband was jealous of her, because jealousy is the rage of a man, and it is cruel as the grave. "...because jealousy arouses a husband's fury. The husband will show no mercy when he takes revenge. No amount of money will change his mind. The largest bribe will not satisfy him.” Prov. 6:34-35 The spirit of jealousy—cruel as the grave—takes hold of a mere man—an unchanged man. But the only thing that counts is a new creation (see Gal. 6:15).
The Pharisees and Jews were filled with a spirit of jealousy, and with this, they stood against the preaching of the gospel by the early apostles (see Acts 5:17; 13:45).
How to overcome the spirit of jealousy
To overcome the spirit of jealousy, we must identify with Christ Jesus and be united with Him. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of sinful nature. Rom 13:13–14 NIV
King James Version puts it this way: Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
2 Corinthians 5:17 declares: Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new. KJV
When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! TLB
In Galatians 5:20, jealousy is listed among “the acts of the sinful nature”. The acts of the sinful nature are the practices of the flesh: immorality, impurity, indecency, selfishness, dissensions, factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies, et cetera. God’s Word warns that those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Now, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is the work that His presence within us accomplishes, is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), and self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things, there is no law [that can bring a charge]. Read Galatians 5:23.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions, appetites, and desires (v. 24).
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other. (vv.25-26).
All who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the godless human nature with its passions, appetites, and desires. They are ingrafted in Him, and their previous moral and spiritual conditions have been transformed.