We are currently in the Friendship Series. The first week I asked you to draw a friendship timeline. That laid the foundation of looking at past and current friendships, as well as noticing healthy and unhealthy themes in this area.

Last week we discussed gossip. This week we are going after another sin that is sure to bring friendships down - jealousy.

Andy Stanley describes the problem with jealousy in his book Enemies of the Heart - "Jealousy is dangerous. It’s dangerous because it shapes our attitudes toward other people. It’s hard to actively love someone you’re jealous of. It’s hard to serve (or submit to) someone who’s a constant reminder of what you’re not. Eventually, jealousy takes control of our attitudes toward people who have done nothing more than pull ahead of us in a race they’re not even aware of."

Scripture:

Proverbs 27:4, "Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?"

James 3:13-18, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

Three Rs to eliminate comparison:

RECOGNIZE REPENT REJOICE

Process:

Ask God if there is anyone in your life you need to recognize and repent of jealousy

Challenge:

Pray over the person you are tempted to compare or notice a jealous spirit come over you when you think of them. 

Consider sending your friends a text or note telling them why you are grateful for them.

Resource:

In my book, Image Restored, the last counselor cornerstone activity is called the Community Wheel. If you own the book, I suggest you use that activity throughout this friendship series. You can also use the Comparison Yardstick activity with today’s episode. If you don’t have the book, go to imagerestoredbook.com to learn more and purchase a copy.

If you aren’t yet subscribed to my email newsletter, do that today as we are emailing a pdf download of the community wheel to the community this month. Go to rachaelgilbert.com click the freebies tab and subscribe to the community there.