ManageYourEmotionsBook8.5x5.5_RevJULY.indd

instead of leading the nation. Only when Saul was removed and Da- vid assumed the throne did Israel reach new heights. Death- In extreme and tragic cases, jealousy leads to death. Such elevated envy sparked the first murder when Cain slayed Abel because his sacrifice proved inferior to that of his brother. Joseph’s brothers contemplated taking his life before settling on a less severe plan of action.The Bible records at least 12 different occasions in which Saul tried to kill David. Certainly, no better example of death resulting from jealously stands above that of Jesus.As Scripture records, envy was one of the main reasons the chief priests brought the Lord before Pilate the night before the crucifixion. In this case, it turned out for good, as Jesus went to give His life as payment for our sins. Obviously, I could wrap up this chapter, and fill up the entire book for that matter, with accounts of jealousy leading to death. However, I want to close on a positive note by examining these cures for jealousy. Observe and implement these steps when jealousy raises its ugly head in your life. Confession. We must acknowledge jealousy for what it is – sin, one of the seven deadliest in fact. Noting Miriam’s leprous condition,Aaron turned to Moses and said, “Oh, my lord, I beg you, do not account this sin to us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned”(Numbers 12:11). Confession of sin clears the air and cleans the slate.What a joy it is to know: “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He has removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Humility. We get insight into why God chose Moses for this monumental task by observing the reaction to his siblings’ jealou- sy. Rather than retaliate, he prayed that Miriam would be healed from her disease.This comes as no surprise, given he is described as “Very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).

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