@Etude- Jealousy

@Etude –Jealousy

But for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry( indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile.

Genesis 4 v 5

Abel and Cain are a study in contrast. Sibling rivalry begins with them. While Abel was wholehearted in his devotion to God, Cain offered worship grudgingly. Abel was innocent and unsuspecting while Cain was scheming and malicious. Abel’s offering pleased God while Cain’s did not. God was looking at the heart of the two young sons of Adam and Eve. The spiritual serpent who earlier lay outside man and tempted him from outside had now gained entry into the heart and mind of man. He stoked the fire of envy in the heart of Cain towards his brother Abel. Envy moved Cain to anger and hatred of his own brother. The anger mixed with hatred moved him to plot to eliminate Abel.

After killing Abel, Cain acted as if nothing happened and that he knew nothing of the disappearance of Abel. He was not only not being a keeper of his brother but he was the violator, the aggressor. Jealousy or envy, to this day, is like madness. It takes control of one’s self and leads us into destructive ways and actions. People try to destroy the reputation of those they envy even if they cannot physically eliminate them. God told Cain that if he tried he could resist the suggestion of the enemy within. He could master his sinful self but he had surrendered his will to sin. Likewise, in our lives, the tempter, the enemy is crouching at the door of our hearts all the time, waiting for us to open it and let him in through a thought or emotion. We should be guarded and careful every moment not to pursue a thought, emotion or action that is evil. The Holy Spirit warns, rebukes, guides us away from yielding to such temptation and to overcome everything negative and ungodly.

When another prospers or succeeds, we ought not to be displeased but rather we should rejoice with him or her. We should know that God does not discriminate and in due course, He would bless us, too with what we deserve or what we need if we remain faithful and whole hearted in our devotion to Him. Jealousy is like a cancer and soon spreads to our entire being, affecting all what we see and do. Jesus came to bring peace and goodwill among all men. He teaches us to be contented with whatever the Lord has blessed us with. Like Abel our sole “soul” desire should be to please the Lord.