Mark 15:10

"For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy."

I've often wondered what the most dangerous sinful emotion there is in mankind and I almost always draw upon the same conclusion, jealousy. Even the hands of the one who executed my Lord Jesus knew that. Who can stand against it? The writer of Proverbs 27:4 says, "Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?" It's frightening, and it's a force, a power to be reckoned with. The source of sinful jealousy (because there is a righteous kind, most notably found in God Himself - Exodus 20:5) is the idol of "me". I want what I don't have but others possess. And when I decide to fuel that desire the heat can get so strong that it incinerates everything in its path. In this case, it put the all-powerful, righteous, perfect and Holy Savior to death. I'm not sure there's anything more destructive when one considers the historical devastation it's left.

For all of those countless times I've ever been envious, I'm forgiven. But going forward, I challenge myself to two applications: (i) When I see it in others that are around and about me, be careful and cautious. See it for what it is and don't underestimate it's destructive force. Immediately call it out on the carpet when seen, even if it means being ostracized by the brother or sister possessing it. (ii) When recognized in myself, eradicate it right away. Left to linger, it has the force to kill. Confess it and then substitute it with heavenly and eternal passions, all by the grace of God. There's nothing that anyone could possibly have that I need that the Father has not already given. The devil desires my desires, and he will not stop seeking them for his own until I breath my last. The victory is won, but the battlefield is bloody, exhausting and full of carnage.

'Stand before me, God, and never allow the fiery arrows of jealously and envy to penetrate the armor You've clothed me in.'