Ever heard of the evil twins? Envy and Jealousy. They ruin relationships. They ruin teams. They ruin churches.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
(Prov. 14:30 NIV)

Ever heard of the evil twins? Envy and Jealousy. They ruin relationships. They ruin teams. They ruin churches. Shall we take a closer look at these evil twins?

Envy is aware of and resents the advantages enjoyed by others. Envy has a burning desire to possess the same blessings. In other words, envy wants what others have and until their desires are fulfilled; envy resents seeing others blessed.

Jealousy is hostile toward a rival...someone seen as enjoying an advantage or seen as a threat to their position or advantage. In other words, jealousy doesn't want others to have any success or advantage over them.

Everyone has to deal with feelings of jealousy and envy at one time or another. When my youngest sister and I were in our early 20's, we visited the home of a very successful surgeon. His home had every bell and whistle; he spared no expense. We muttered under our breath, "Wow, are we jealous or what?" He heard us and said, "Don't ever be jealous of another Christian brother or sister. Be happy for them, knowing you are standing in the same line."

At first, we thought, "That's easy for you to say Mr. Millionaire. Guess it's time for us to leave and drive back to our duplex in our beater Honda CVCC. Mind if we take a handful of peanuts for the road?" But, then we pondered his statement and the light bulb went off for us, "Hey…that's right. We are in the same line – the line of faith and obedience – and in time, if we rejoice with others and stay faithful to God, we'll get our turn." Turns out, he was right!

So, how do we deal with Jealousy and Envy when they come knocking on our door? Let's look at Jealousy and Envy up close in the life of Saul as he freaked out about God's blessings in and on David's life.

1 Samuel 18:5-16 – Evil Twins Jealousy and Envy

The Seeds of Envy and Jealousy: Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning... (David was returning from a great success – a great sale, great achievement, great game, great message, great worship...) ...the women had come out of all the cities ... singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced, and said: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?'

The accolades will do us in if we aren't careful. David was perceived as more successful in war than Saul. Saul HAD killed thousands and done quite well; it's just that David did better and Saul's envy and jealousy started to sprout. So, what about us? What if another Christian, coworker, team member, staff member starts to get more kudos than we do? What if someone raves about the song someone else sang? What if someone raves about the message someone else preached? What if someone raves about the work that someone else did?

The Fruit of Envy and Jealousy: "So Saul eyed David from that day forward. And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul... (Saul's jealous eye got the best of him and the very next day there was distress and oppression.) ...So David played music with his hand... (Don't lose your song if someone else is jealous or envious of you – keep singing!) ...but there was a spear in Saul's hand.”

Saul wasn't rejoicing with David's success, but rather he wanted David to go away. If necessary Saul was going to take him out! If others don't rejoice with your success, keep singing. If someone is more successful than you are, put away the spear!

The Price of Envy and Jealousy: And Saul cast the spear, for he said, 'I will pin David to the wall!' But David escaped his presence twice. Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul. (This is the worst part of the story – Saul's jealousy cost him the anointing, God's Presence and favor. The Lord was with David. God picked him to do something unique, God called him – he was going to continue to prosper and succeed. Saul disqualified himself because he did not agree with God. He did not embrace or encourage the one God had called.) David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David…."

Even though Saul was having personal inferiority, depression, anger, jealousy and envy issues because of David's success, all the other people loved David. God's favor would not leave David, just because Saul's nose got bent out of whack.

When you think about it, what did Saul want? Did he want David to fail? No! Did he want David to kill 999 enemies, so he could look better? Maybe. When we are jealous or envious of others, how sick do we have to be to want them to fail so that we can feel secure, superior or strong in our own identity?

If Jealousy and Envy have been invading your space – kick them out by proactively walking in God's love and faith knowing that you are in the same line! The last thing these evil twins want to hear is you being genuinely happy for the success of others, rooting others on and celebrating their success. So, why not pummel Envy and Jealousy by blessing, complimenting, being generous toward, encouraging, celebrating, commenting, rejoicing, congratulating and raving about the very people you have been envious or jealous toward?

Say It: Father, forgive me for being selfish and filled with envy and jealousy toward others. I am kicking these evil twins out of my life today and I ask You to bless, encourage, increase, favor, anoint, use, open doors for and promote ______________ (insert the names of anyone you have been envious or jealous toward). I choose to rejoice, celebrate and congratulate anyone and everyone that is being used by You in any way! In Jesus' Name. Amen.