JEALOUS RAGE
- DAY 285
- FEAR FILE: CAIN
- SCRIPTURES: GENESIS 4:3-7
And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
More often than not the least qualified are the most jealous. They get upset when they see other qualified and hardworking people succeed. It never occurs to them that there might be a reason they failed and the other succeeded. Instead, they focus on taking out their jealous rage on the innocent person. An example is Cain.
He and Abel, his brother went to present an offering to God. Hebrews 11:4 Abel did his by faith and Cain didn’t, which means he walked in fear. We read in Hebrews 11:4 that “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous…” Since God always honors faith, Abel was accepted and Cain was not. He didn’t take the time to find out what he might have done wrong and correct his errors, he became angry instead.
God warned him that his jealous rage would lead to sin and it did. His fearful actions led him to jealousy and then to murder.
What’s Yours Is Preserved
Beloved, if you feel uncomfortable about someone’s success, whether it is jealousy, envy, or strife it is NOT an act of faith or courage but fear. People of faith understand that if they didn’t get what they thought they deserved there’s a reason. They know that whatever God has prepared for them cannot be taken so they aren’t envious or jealous.
Do you know how meticulous God is about what is yours? He has planned for every contingency of what will happen should what is yours be stolen. So relax. Take that jealous feeling to God, repent, and ask him to show you what you ought to do to get it right next time.
If you are the object of Jealousy, be careful how you relate with those who are not pleased with you so you don’t end up like Abel. May the Lord grant you a discerning and wise heart.
Shalom.
