Calvin Synod Herald, 1996 (96. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1996-11-01 / 6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 6

Is Jealousy a Sin?

Sormonette delivered on Youth Sunday at the First Hungarian Reformed

Church, Cleveland, Ohio by James Horvath

Jealousy: Is it a sin or just an everyday action? Well, most people realize that jealousy is a very common action in this world today. At least once a day someone - maybe even yourself - will say the three words: “I'm so jealous”. But what many people don’t realize is that jealousy is a sin. In today’s scripture reading we heard Paul tell the Romans to behave decently. He also mentioned six things, sins, that the people should avoid. They were as follows: orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, debauchery, dissension and jealousy. Now the first four sins I listed most Christians realize are sins and really don't have too much trouble avoiding. But as for the last two, dissension and jealousy, why did Paul list those? Everyday, wherever you are, you will see some sort of dissension. Whether it is the people yelling and arguing at each other during rush hour traffic or actors quarrelling on an evening TV show. As I mentioned before, you probably can’t go one day without someone saying how jealous they are of someone or something else. But what harm can dissension and jealousy do? Well, the dissention may be a little more obvious so today I would like to discuss the issue of jealousy.

I be I can guarantee that everyone in this room has been jealous at some point in their lifetime. For example, think back to when you were a child and you were playing at home with some of your toys. Then you heard about this new toy that just came out and you just had to have it. So you begged your parents for it, but they said no and told you to go outside and play with some of your old toys. So you listened to your parents trudged out the door. A few days later while you were outside playing in the yard you saw your friend next door playing with that new toy that you wanted so much. How did you feel? Well, at the time you probably weren’t fully aware of

your feelings but you were only an innocent child. Well, we’ve grown up and matured as Christians and now we should know that jealousy is wrong. But what harm can jealousy do? When your friend got that new toy, you probably didn't run over to him and steal the toy away or hurt him in any way. Instead you probably ran back to your parents and begged some more, saying that Johnny next door got one of those new toys. Well, let’s look in the Bible and see what kind of story about jealousy it can tell us. In Genesis, chapter 37, we learn of the story of Joseph, Jacob's son.

Jacob had twelve sons, Joseph was his favorite though, and he showed it by giving Joseph a richly ornamented coat. Joseph's brothers were very jealous of him and did not speak a kind word to him. So what became of the brothers’ jealousy, verse 18 says, “But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached they plotted to kill him". The brothers’ jealousy blinded them from the fact that the person they were plotting to kill was their brother, their own flesh and blood. But Joseph was not killed. Instead, one of the brothers suggested putting him in a cistern and waiting for awhile. This brother, Reuben, wanted to let Joseph escape back to their father, but before that could happen, Joseph was sold to be a slave in Egypt. Years later, it turns out that Joseph became a ruler of Egypt and in charge of rationing food out during a drought. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt in need and went before Joseph not realizing it was their brother. Joseph remembered what the brothers did to him but still had compassion for them.

As in the story of Joseph and his brothers we should not let jealousy get a foothold in our lives. Because jealousy was what was going to lead the brothers to murder. Jealousy also led a nation’s leader to attempted murder later in the Bible. This time in the Book of first Samuel. Saul was the leader at the time and he had a young in his court who played the harp for him. This young man was David. David was chosen by God to take over the throne after Saul. David was a great military leader for Saul and he won many battles for him. This led people to write songs about David and his conquests. Saul though became jealous of what the people said about him and David. Starting in chapter 18 verses 8 through 12, are as follows:

Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul.

Now these five verses say a lot about jealousy. First of all if we are jealous of someone then God is not going to be on our side. In verse 12, Saul was afraid of David because he tried to kill him twice but was unsuccessful. That’s when he realized that God was on David's side protecting him. Saul had lost touch with the Lord. Instead of being pleased and delighted that David was'winning all these battles for him, Saul was jealous of David because the people credited David with killing more people than he did.

Another lesson that can be learned from this story is from the other side. Up till now,

I have spoken about the sin of jealousy but what you are supposed to do if someone is jealous of you. Well David did not retaliate against Saul. David was a great fighter and could have easily thrown the spear back at Saul, but he didn’t. Instead, he continued his faithful service to Saul. Why does David do this? Well, returning back to Romans, this time chapter 12 verses 19 through 21. They are:

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, ’ says the Lord. On the Contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. ” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Why should we not retaliate against people who are jealous of us and may want to do harm to us? Well, there are some good reasons. First of all, if you befriend them and show your Christian love for them, then it may break the cycle of retaliation. Secondly, it may make the other person ashamed of the sins that they have committed. Thirdly, by repaying evil for evil, not only will you hurt your enemy but you will also feel the hurt by means of guilt.

In today’s Scripture reading, Paul tells

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