Jealousy is considered one of the seven deadly sins; it is connected to envy. Now, I find that description of jealousy interesting, because all sin is deadly to the soul. Every human being can struggle with jealousy. So, what makes jealousy truly dangerous?
The mind is fragile and must be guarded, because if wrong attitudes and thoughts are left unchecked, they lead to mental chaos. Satan’s favorite playground is the mind, so we must guard our minds with all diligence. Jealousy will destroy relationships, lead a person into ungodly actions, cause a spirit of bitterness to take root in the soul, and damage a person’s perspective of our righteous God.
Comparing ourselves to others is to forget we were uniquely designed by God with special gifts and purposes. Fixating on the successes of others can chip away at our own self-esteem. Focus on being thankful for who God created you to be—take dominion with righteous thoughts—and soon those unrighteous ones have to flee.
In our passage today, we see the progression of jealousy and its affect on an unguarded mind. Saul goes from honoring David to trying to kill him. He begins to feel threatened by this young warrior and it is compounded by the fact that Jonathan, Saul’s son, becomes loyal covenantal friends with David. Saul is so eaten up with envy he does not let David out of his sight.
We note an obvious contrast between Saul and Jonathan when it comes to their relationship with David. Saul begins to hate David’s success; he experiences hostile feelings and jealousy messes with his mind. Conversely, Jonathan, as the prince of Israel in line for his father’s throne, recognizes God’s anointing on David and celebrates him. In fact, Jonathan joyfully steps aside and relinquishes the throne to David. However, things do not end well for Saul, because he allows jealousy to have dominion over his actions until eventually God rejects him.
1 Samuel 18:1-5 NLT Saul Becomes Jealous of David
1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.
5 Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.
6 When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. 7 This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!”
8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for making each one of us unique and valuable to the work of your Kingdom. Help us to celebrate your gifts in one another instead of comparing ourselves. Your children are stronger when we work together with you and one another. One gift is not more important than another; each gift is the work of Jesus. So, help us cast down every wrong thought the enemy tries to feed us and replace it with a right one. In Jesus’ name. Amen.