Jealousies & Judgments

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Prov. 27:4 has this to say about jealousy, “Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?”

The Bible tells us in Matt. 27:18 that even Jesus was “handed over [to be crucified] because of envy.”  Prior to that time, it seemed that every day after Jesus began His ministry here on Earth He dealt with both jealousies and judgments of others coming against Him.  The majority of those who were jealous of Him and judged him were the Pharisees and other religious leaders of that day.

Envy is the root of the issue here; jealousy is the fruit.  According to the Book of James, jealousy isn’t the only fruit. There are also other fruits such as “confusion and every evil thing” according to James 3:16. In Chapter 4 we see there is covetousness, strife, ill will, disharmony, rebellion, hate, even murder (sometimes which is often carried out with the tongue rather than with a gun or some other weapon, but the effects can be almost as deadly.)

Sometimes “jealousies” of others can cause “judgments” to be made against another person―which can include false accusations, criticism, condemnation, gossip, slander, or even total character assassination.

James 3:14-17 gives us more clarity on this topic: “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, demonic.  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

James 4:11-12 takes it even further: “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren…There is one Lawgiver who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another?”

If this has been a problem for you, ask the Lord to help you put on mercy. That alone will overshadow and crowd out thoughts of judgments toward others. James 2:13 tells us that “mercy triumphs over judgment.”  It is the Lord’s desire that people will repent so that He can show forth His mercy, rather than bring judgment.  Put on kindness, gentleness, sincerity, and understanding. These will do away with harshness, hatred, bitterness, and phony pretense.

In Rom. 2:11 Paul tells us, “There is no partiality with God. [V. 6] “Who will render to each one according to his deeds.”  1 Pet. 2:23 tells us that Jesus, “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” 

God always judges righteously; man does not.

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