Thursday, June 2, 2016

Jealousy: Identifying the Orphan Spirit - Day 2

Day 2 – Spirit of Jealousy


Read: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Jealousy is so often found inside the life of the Orphan Spirit – and we see it over and over again inside the Kingdom.

If you’re a parent, I’m sure you can think of numerous times when your kids have been jealous of one another.  We see it often when it comes to birthdays and Christmas – but it certainly isn’t limited to those times.

It causes me to wonder how God must feel as He watches the way His children respond to one another as they consider the good things in their brothers and sisters lives.

One of the most unattractive actions, is when we see people finding joy in another’s loss or failure.  It happens all the time inside the body of Christ. 

We mock, criticize and condemn.  Is it any wonder the world doesn’t want to hang out with us?

And then there’s the flip side – the side of being unable to celebrate the good things in the lives of others. 

Ask yourself:

In my own opinion, is jealousy a problem in the church today?

How do I feel when others receive attention, gifts, admiration or a promotion – whether inside the church or out?

Am I guilty of maximizing me and minimizing others?

How can I personally promote a spirit of unity, love and trust in my relationships?

What can I do to change me?


For further study, look at the life of Elizabeth in Luke 1.  Consider how she celebrated her own blessings while at the same time promoted Mary – the unmarried woman who carried and even greater Child than Elizabeth’s own.

She could have responded so differently – had she done so, imagine the difference it could have made for Mary, Joseph and the community at large.  Elizabeth is a beautiful example of choosing to speak life!





IF YOU'RE FOLLOWING ALONG IN ALL THE KING'S ORPHANS: Day 3, read Chapter 3 of All the King's Orphans and Week 3 of the correlating Study Guide.



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