“the spirit of jealousy comes upon him” (Num. 5:14, NKJV)
Jealousy and envy are often seen as human emotions, and psychologists explain it as a way in which the self is protected and enriched. But Prov. 6:34 (NJB) speaks of the fact that “jealousy inflames”, and comments on the very destructive state of the heart which brings forth jealousy. Thomas Moore is right when he states, in his book Care of the Soul, that “Envy eats away at the heart.”
The way in which this spirit is granted access to one is through an attitude of constant comparison with others, being driven by a competitive frame of mind, often feeling wronged, insecure, all aspects that Gal. 5:19-21 delineate as fruits of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the likeof which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
To not inherit the kingdom of God does not mean that you are not saved and born again. From the well-known tabernacle typology you should by now already know that you enter the first dimension by getting saved, and the second dimension through becoming born again. The second dimension is the beginning of the believer’s walk of faith “in the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 & 5). Take note, you enter the kingdom, but the Scripture in Gal. 5:21 states that if the works of the flesh are found in your life, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. In practice this means that you may be born again, but (like those believers who never move further than the first dimension) you will not reign with Jesus when He returns to earth. Metaphorically speaking jealousy is one of the carnal stains on your garment of salvation (Eph. 5:27; Rom. 1:29).
There are even believers who function in the third dimension, and preach it, who will also not inherit the kingdom – Phil. 1:15-16 (RV): “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife …” Knowledge of the third dimension does not offer you access to it, only the Godly nature does (2 Pet. 1:4). Selah.
For this reason it is very important that you recognise the working of the spirit of jealousy within yourself, and handle this spirit. In Rom. 13:12-13 Paul specifically warns that “strife and envy” are part of the “works of darkness” that we need to lay down. And in 1 Cor. 3:3 he specifically links it to the carnal nature (which opposes the Godly nature): “for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?”
Paul then writes to the church of Corinth whom he had not seen for a while, and mentions that he is worried about the working of this spirit in their midst: “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults …” (2 Cor. 12:20).
But what would the origin of jealousy be? In the apocryphal Old Testament book Wisdom 2:24 it is spelled out in no uncertain terms: “Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.” (KJVA). Where there is jealousy, envy and selfish ambition, according to James 3:14-16, it is the surest sign that you are not inheriting the kingdom of God (remember 1 Cor. 1:24: Christ IS the wisdom of God): “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
It is thus not strange that James sketches envy as the conjoined twin of self-seeking. At his core the jealous person is utterly selfish, and from a psychological perspective, narcissistic (a state which we will discuss in great detail at a later stage). All jealousy, envy and selfish ambition is because the person feels that he/she has been kept from something that is, rightfully or not, theirs. And almost always this leads to what the Amplified neatly points out as “For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.” See how the spiritual door is opened for more than just the spirit of jealousy to rule your life. Therefore Wisdom 2:24 (RSV) is correct: “envy does not associate with wisdom”. Selah.
As I see it, Ps. 106:13-16 explains the crux of the problem of jealousy and envy. This Psalm refers back to the unsavoury history found in Num. 16, when Korah and his “band” were jealous of Moses, of his leadership role and the favour God had granted him. Do you remember Korah’s rebellious reaction toward Moses in Num. 16:13? “Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, but thou must needs make thyself also a prince over us?” In the teachings of Day 191-210 we spoke at length about rebellion and its consequences, and then promised that we would later get to the root of it. And the root of this inequity is most certainly jealousy.
Yet Ps. 196:13-16 also offers a very important perspective on this terrible event: “They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. When they envied Moses in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord …” Take note of why they were envious:
- “they soon forgot His works, they did not wait for His counsel”. The Amplified translates it in more detail: “But they hastily forgot His works; they did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them …” Jealous people do not walk in God’s unfolding revelation concerning their lives. Selah. They do not believe that their current circumstances are the will of God, and will thus not be joyous in “all circumstances”, thanking God (1 Thess. 5:18). Therefore God’s perfect will (Rom. 12:2) cannot happen in their lives. Therefore they will consistently be envious of the blessings others have received.
- “they ... lusted exceedingly in the wilderness”. Other translations state that “they greedily lusted” (LITV), “they were overwhelmed with greed” (NJB), “their desires ran wild” (NLT). If you move outside of God’s plan for your life, it awakens unbridled passions and desires within the carnal man. With this a different spirit, the spirit of naked lust (not only of a sexual nature, but also with regards to all “craving appetites”, as Stephen Arterburn terms it in his book Feeding your appetites). This becomes a pressing matter, and brings about a snowball effect of sorts, as that which God intended for your pleasure becomes the enemy of a normal, happy life – money, sex, food, work, etc.
- “and tested God in the wilderniss”. NLT translates it as “testing God’s patience”; the RSV: “put God to the test”; the MSG: “provoked God with their insistent demands”; the NJB: “they challenged God”. The Amplified offers the most terrifying translation:: “ (they) tried to restrain God [with their insistent desires]”. Then James 4:2-3 kicks in, and ipso facto leads to the next logical conclusion: “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” [The use of the term murder here does not refer to the physical taking of another’s life, but is a direct reference to Jesus’ words in Matt 5:22 (Msg): “I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder.”]
- “And He gave them their request …” The next step in this process is that man is granted what he foolishly asked – not necessarily any concrete thing, “but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21), and then: “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves” (verse 24), and also: “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions … “ (verse 26). They are consumed by their sinful desire.
- “… but sent leanness into their soul”. The LITV terms it: “God sent wasting into their soul”. A total sense of unfulfillment in the heart; the will, intellect and emotions (=soul) that has not been enriched by “the life of Christ within us” (2 Cor. 4:10), but is privy to a “leanness”, thus devoid of the fattiness that is connoted with the salvation of Christ. The Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge adds this perspective: “They despised the manna, calling it light or innutritive food. God gave them flesh as they desired, but no blessing accompanied it; and, in consequence, they did not fatten, but grew lean upon it; and many, surfeited by excess, died of disease. Instead of razon, ‘leanness,’ however, Lowth supposes we should read zeraon, ‘nausea or loathing,’” Apart from the fact that this state opens one up to a spirit of illness, and one is eventually given over to sin, and “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), this also means that the person loathes himself.
- And then we come to this climax: “… they envied Moses in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord.” Take note how envy is the result of this particular downward spiral of spirituality to carnality. If you are thus jealous or envious, then points 1 to 5 are probably already true of your life. It may be very subtle, but trails behind you like a shadow. This should make you very afraid.
In conclusion, let us take a brief look at the negative results that spring from jealousy and envy, thus the fruits of the root of jealousy:
- Jealousy brings about hopelessness and depression. Never be envious of the success unbelievers achieve (Prov. 23:17-18)
- Jealousy makes you cruel (Song of Songs 8:6)
- Jealousy is more harmful than anger or vengeful feelings (Prov. 27:4)
- Jealousy brings about a sense of powerlessness, as it robs you of your joy (Neh. 8:10)
- Carnality is a way of thinking that opposes the Word of God
- Jealousy causes bitterness, and this has immense results, as it robs you of grace (Heb. 12:15) – and this impacts more than just your life
- Jealousy brings confusion (James 3:16).
Paul’s practical wisdom in Phil. 4:11-13 is the key to handling the influence of the spirit of jealousy in your life: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- Selah: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in being delivered from the spirit of jealousy.
- Read: Job 35-42 and Ex. 1-4
- Memorise: Job 37:5
- For a more in-depth understanding: Read Eric Peels’s book Shadow Sides.
