We have been dealing with lots of jealousy around this house lately. The worst offenders are Lauren and Sam (our 6 month old female German Shepherd).
They are awful!
If I am talking with one of the other kids, Lauren is all over me. She doesn't want anyone having my time.
And if I am petting our other dog Macy, Sam is completely obnoxious!!
They even have it out for each other...if I have Lauren on my lap, Sam will crush the child to get to me.
It just makes me think about how ugly and selfish jealously is.
We see it here:
Acts 7:9
9 "Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph,
they sold him as a slave into Egypt.
NIV
I'm quite certain that if given the chance, Lauren just might make you a good deal on her older sister some days!!
But seriously, let's pay attention here. This is just a short note to remind us NOT to be jealous of others. Jealousy is ugly and cruel and basically- immature.
1 Cor 3:1-4
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?
4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? NIV
If we've been saved long enough to be considered mature, we ought to be past this stuff.
The Word says that if we are jealous, we are worldly and acting like "mere men."
In other words, as we live like Christ, we are expected to live above this stuff.
A mature Christian will be known by their love.
Not perfection- but love.
Putting others first, not competing with other believers.
Ok, I've given us lots to think about!
Love you bunches!
Sue
Friday, February 20, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Our dog, the huge 125 lb. mastiff, barks and growls at me when I talk on the phone! My kids used to do that as toddlers! I don't mean bark and growl, but wouldn't leave me alone! Yes, I have a very selfish dog. Have a good weekend Sue!
And with that the denominational walls should come crumbling down....because of the unity of our love being God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit...three in ONE.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Whenever I hug my husband, our dog starts to bark! He wants to be included in the affection.
One of the ways I try to help my kids to not be jealous of each other is to tell them, whenever possible, what I like about them. To catch them being good, and be very specific with praise. If I say things like "I really like the way you care for your friends," or "I can really see you've been putting more effort into your school work lately" then they are sure that I'm noticing their strengths. I think that helps them not to be jealous of each other.
Suzanne,
I know about the talking on the phone too!
I was trying to do a phone interview yesterday and I had to pet the dog for the whole half hour I was on the phone!
Yolanda,
I agree, I feel that it's really time we acted like a body working together instead of tearing one another down.
Keri,
Great advice, thank you. It's so easy to constantly correct them and then forget to praise.
That is too funny...your dogs jealous. But hey, at least they are jealous for their master. Does that count for anything? :)
Thanks for sharing a great lesson.
Great point Peggy!
I couldn't agree more. Our dogs are funny. Lacie is bigger than Fluffy in size but that's about it. Fluffy is truly the more dominant one. If Fluffy jumps up on my lap to be cuddled, Lacie has to get in there too and take up the most room until it forces Fluffy off. It's hilarious!
Great reminder--jealousy hurts and does no one any good.
Great verses to chew on! I hate it when I see myself in scripture in a bad light! Praise God he uses it to change me!!!!
Very timely post. There seems to be so much jealosy.
Susan
Post a Comment