Series: Youth for Jesus
Number: Vol. 2, No. 34
“…And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” (Gen 4:8NIV)
The story of Cain and his brother, Abel, that we have in the bible is one that teaches us how horrible and deadly jealousy that is not dealt with can be. Exactly how cordial these brothers’ relationship was before the account given in Genesis 4, we are not told. But we do see that Cain was angry with God and also jealous of his brother because the latter and his offerings were accepted by God while he and his offerings were rejected by Him. And despite the fact that God had come to talk to him and warn him to watch his anger, bitterness and jealousy, he still went ahead and attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. In other words, Cain destroyed the very person he was meant to protect. (Cf. Gen 4:1-8)
But notice that Cain did not kill Abel because Abel was richer than him or because he had a more beautiful wife than him; rather, he killed him because God approved of him but disapproved of him. So, when we are talking about jealousy, it can be aroused by anything. I mean that people can become jealous of others because of their progress, family, influence, beauty, age, riches, relationships, jobs, positions, gifts and so forth. In short, people can become jealous of others because of anything. And when such jealousy is not dealt with and eradicated by the power of God, it can result in any kind of evil.
James, in his epistle, says, “Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things.” (James 3:16CEV) Think about that. Jealousy is a powerful force that is able to drive people to do all sorts of horrible things. And examples abound all around us of how people, even friends and family members, have killed, maimed or destroyed others because they were jealous of something in their lives. They felt that since they did not have what those people had, they just had to do something to make sure none of them enjoyed with peace whatever it was they were jealous about. And concerning them the Yoruba proverb is true that says, “Instead for the mouse not to eat ‘Sese’ (a species of beans that is known to be highly toxic), it will waste it.”
Now your name may not be Cain. But if you are jealous of someone else because he has something you don’t have or because he is progressing where you are failing, you are just another Cain. And if you won’t deal with your jealousy now, if you won’t ask God to enable you to get rid of this monster that has come to stay in your life, a day may come when it will drive you to destroy the very people you are supposed to love, cherish and protect. Then, like Cain, you will have exposed yourself to a curse of unfruitfulness, barrenness and miserableness, something you may never be free from for the rest of your life, unless you seek God’s mercy (Gen 4:10-12).
So, get rid of the jealousy you have in your life and don’t attack that person that Satan has been inciting you to attack. Instead, talk to God about your life and whatever you think is missing in it. And He will not ignore your honest and heartfelt prayer but will rise and begin to move things in your favour. But don’t go down the path of jealousy, for the end of it is destruction. (Cf. James 4:1-3)
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