Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:7)
Usually you will hear other women say that they "don't hang with other females". I always laughed and made a mental note that the person making that declaration is almost always the root of that drama. Not too long ago, I've learned the hard way that most drama amongst sisters stems from jealousy and envy. This heavy, wicked spirit is the main reason why the women of our nation can't get along and come together on one accord. As repenting sisters we have to remember to be more spiritual and act in righteousness while straying away from our old carnal nature.
My Story
I always considered myself a humble, person even in the world. I didn't have that competitive spirit or felt the need to be the center of attention. Even to this day, if I'm in a room with a handful of people and someone compliment my hair, attire, etc, it makes me uncomfortable knowing that now everyone in that room is scoping me lol. My biggest downfall was always being cool and cordial with othr sisters and giving them the benefit of the doubt. I remember years ago (before I got into this truth) getting into a situation with a co-worker. She was a newcomer to the company and it took an awful while for me to befreind her (back then the Spirit was trying to tell me something...) Eventually we started talking and hanging out a bit outside of work. One day all of us was gathering together to celebrate the birthday of another co-worker and she called me complaining about not having a dress for the event. Israelite women love getting pretty, even for some nonsense lol. Anyway, I offered this "friend" one of my dresses that still had the tags on. Even offered some accessories, which she declined. I didn't think anything of it, I was just being nice and trying to look out. The day after the event, we got into a little petty spat over some photos and the next thing you know, homegirl starts throwing all types of insults and personal attacks. Now I could have roasted her ass if the spirit allowed me to, but I took the high road. To this very day I still don't know what that was about. Needless to say, we cut ties. Then I started thinking about what happened, what led to the situation and why. As I stated before it took awhile for us to get aquainted and now I know why. Beforehand, all of her "hello's" seemed forced. Her greetings were always accompanied with an obligatory once over or "sizing up". Although her compliments seemed sincere, at times it felt like it hurt for her to say it. Let me also add that since our little beef, the sister went out of her way to create a smear campaign against me at work...
I learned the hard way that when people are jealous of you they will go out of their way to study you first. I cannot stress enough that these are the type of people you have to stay away from. It may seem like they come from a good place or that they want to be your friend, but ultimately your destruction is their salvation. Look at the history between David and Saul, look at how toxic that relationship was. That jealous spirit is not of The Most High or Christ, but of Satan...
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3 14:18)
Why so much hate?
Lets face it, this society is fueled by competition. And when it comes to women, they LOVE to compete. The problem is that we compete over the temporal; things that lacks significance. It has gotten to the point where individuals who are meek, humble and are just trying to live peacefully are being openly scorned by others. People who claim to be on your side has all of a sudden mastered the art of frowning and making the screwface whenever The Most High bless you with something...anything. Granted we have Israelites with that dreaded boastful spirit (Galatians 5:26), but we can't ignore the all out war against those who live in humility; who is trying to live right and do right. The fact that these people will go out of their way to discredit you, ridicule you and eventually destroy you, shows that they themselves are lacking in something. You are doing something right while they are struggling to get halfway there. For whatever reason The Most High didn't bless them with the things you have already obtained, that is not your problem. Most likely their jealously is so deep that they don't even recognize the blessings they already have...they just can't see it. That envy has blind-sighted them indefinitely and the only thing that seems right to them is to cause strife against you and to take what you have.
If you are a victim of people (especially your own) envying you, do not be discouraged. Focus on continuing to do good and follow the commandments. Sometimes The Most High raises these demons up to show you how not to act, to not follow their ways. And eventually The Most High destroys them. On the flipside, sometimes righteous people may fall short and briefly allow the spirit of jealousy to enter into them. If you fit that description, don't beat yourself up but rather pray on it and ask the Lord for guidance on how to shake it off. For those who are blessed with many gifts; don't be selfish and subtlety hide it from friends and family so you can have something to brag about. Don't be too proud. All you are doing is provoking that jealous spirit and slowly causing animosity. For those who are lacking, pray to The Most High for guidance on how to build in righteousness. Work for it!
Don't let the simple cares of this world consume you, provoking you to lusting over the trivial while hurting others in the process. You will ultimately pay for it in the long run.
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. (Job 5:2)
03/16/2013 19:02
