Is someone jealous of you? Are you like a crab trying to escape a bucket and follow God, and he/she is trying to pull you back down in the bucket? This can be very painful if the one jealous is someone you love and have been close to. The Bible is full of such examples and offers us encouragement how to persevere in the face of jealous mistreatment and false accusations.
The gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are full of accounts of jealousy. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes, the religious leaders of the day, were all jealous of Jesus. In fact, Jesus was crucified because of jealousy, or envy. We learn this in Matthew 27:18 (New American Standard Bible) where it is written about Pilate, the Roman governor, “For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.”
The book of Acts is filled with accounts of jealousy, as well. Let’s look at Acts 5, starting with verse 12 through verse 16:
And at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number; to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets, and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. And also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits; and they were all being healed.
It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? God was on the move, and the gospel was being spread! People were getting saved left and right, and the sick were being healed! Hallelujah! However, not everyone was happy about this move of God. Continuing in verses 17-18 of the same chapter:
But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy; and they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in a public jail.
How about that?! Peter and the other apostles were being obedient to God. Peter was feeding Jesus’ sheep like He instructed him in John 21:15-17. Yet the Sadducees put the apostles in jail because of jealousy!
Is someone jealous of you? Have they put you in a “jail” of heartbreak and pain because of their hurtful words and actions? I know I have been in such a “jail”! John the Baptist found himself in a similar jail because he corrected King Herod, who unlawfully married his brother’s wife (Mark 6:17-18).
However, God came to the apostles’ rescue! Continuing with verses 19-21a:
But an angel of the Lord during the night opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, “Go your way, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” And upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and began to teach….
Like He did for the apostles, God will deliver you from that prison of heartbreak and will send you back on your mission to share the gospel and serve Him! He will make you bold and help you overcome intimidation and persecution!
The high priest and his associates sent officers to bring the apostles to them. But they weren’t there! Then someone reported that the apostles were standing in the temple and teaching the people! So the captain went along with the officers and brought the apostles peacefully for they were afraid of the people. Continuing with verses 27-29:
And when they had brought them, they stood before the Council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men….”
Peter and the other apostles kept on course with determination, fueled by the Holy Spirit! Is someone jealous of you? Are they trying to hinder your ministry? You can keep on course with determination as you are fueled by the love and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, as well!
The apostles gave those persecutors a mini-sermon. What was their response? Verse 33 tells us: “But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and were intending to slay them.” Jealous people can be filled with rage about your obedience to God and your speaking the words He gave you! Psalm 118:6 (King James Version) offers us encouragement in this situation: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” You will not die a day earlier than God plans! God is in control of your life and what happens to you! He is on your side, and you are safe in Him!
Back to Acts 5, starting with verse 34 and continuing to verse 39:
But a certain Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave order to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody; and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. And he was slain; and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him, he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
Wow! Gamaliel gave some great advice, no doubt inspired by God! Are you doing God’s will? No one can stop you, or else they will be fighting against God!
How did the high priest and his associates respond to Gamaliel’s advice? Verse 40 tells us, “And they took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them to speak no more in the name of Jesus, and then released them.” Peter and the other apostles were beaten for their obedience to God! How did they respond? Verse 41 says, “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Is someone jealous of you? Some people will try to shame you for serving God! I love verse 42: “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” The apostles didn’t let persecution deter them from their mission! Don’t let persecution deter you from your mission God sent you on!
Psalm 57 is very encouraging in this matter. It is so good that I will type it out for you:
Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in Thee; And in the shadow of Thy wings I will take refuge, Until destruction passes by. I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. [Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth. My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Thy glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. [Selah. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Awake, my glory; Awake, harp and lyre, I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. For Thy lovingkindness is great to the heavens, And Thy truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Thy glory be above all the earth.
Is someone jealous of you? God will take care of you and protect you. He will put a song of praise in your mouth that you can sing before the nations! You can offer it as a sacrifice of praise before your trial ends. And you can offer it after He delivers you from the painful trial you are enduring!
We read in Acts 7:9 about Joseph: “And the patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. And yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharoah, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household. Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it; and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharoah. And Joseph sent word and invited Jacob and his father, and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all.
Here we have a summary of Genesis chapters 37 and 39-50. I love the story of Joseph in the Bible, and I sure can relate to his experiences. I didn’t become a governor or anything, lol; but I have been rejected and persecuted quite a bit by my Christian “brethren.” What did Joseph do when his brothers sold him into slavery and when he was unlawfully jailed? Did he seek vengeance and make his brothers pay for what they had done? No! He fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept! He continued weeping and kissed all his brothers! (See Genesis 45, especially verses 14-15.) He fed them in the famine and took care of them! We learn from Joseph to show kindness to our fellow family members, whether naturally related or related through Christ! (Yes, he did teach his brothers a lesson in respect.)
I do have to add that there are some toxic people who continually hurt us whom we just have to get away from. We forgive them with God’s help and move on. God will reconcile us with them in heaven. In the meantime, we pray for them for God to change them.
Is someone jealous of you? Are they saying unkind words, falsely accusing you? Rejecting you? Putting you in prison? Trying to hinder your ministry? God is your refuge, we learn in Psalm 63:7-8: “For Thou hast been my help, And in the shadow of Thy wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to Thee; Thy right hand upholds me.” Verse 11 in that same chapter tells us, “But the king will rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him will glory, For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.” God will eventually stop those who lie about you!
John the Baptist’s imprisonment ended in death by beheading, which for him was immediate deliverance (Mark 6:17-29, especially verses 27-29). However, he had already completed his race of serving God. Some of us may be called to martyrdom, as well. If so, God will be with us as He was with John. Not many of us want to die for our faith in Jesus; but I must say there could be no greater honor on earth than to die for Jesus, the One who died to forgive the whole human race for all of our sins!
In closing, I can testify that God has truly healed me and helped me overcome the prison of heartbreak and the pain of persecution by those who were once close to me! He has been giving me the grace to carry on serving Him in spite of opposition. Isn’t He wonderful???
Send me any of your prayer requests, testimonies, or other comments. I would love to pray for you and to hear from you!
Here is a lovely, encouraging Twila Paris song for you called “I Feel It”, back-up singing by Kelly Willard! I encourage you to listen to it, especially if someone close to you has wounded your heart: