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“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
St. Paul tells the Corinthians that they are still spiritual babies due to the jealousies and rivalries they still have. We see this in children, who learn the word, “Mine,” very early.
And it’s throughout the Bible history: Cain and Able, Joseph’s brothers, the apostles arguing about who is the greatest. King Saul was so jealous of David he tried to kill him repeatedly.
Jealousy killed Jesus; and it kills community. It kills us if we let it inside. You can rot away with bitterness and resentment if you don’t deal with it.
How do we get rid of jealousy, envy, rivalries?
- Confess it honestly. There is so much grace in the sacrament of confession.
- Beg Jesus to help you. Ask for the gift of agape love.
- Ask for the virtues of humility, kindness, and rejoicing in the other’s gifts.
- Compliment the person you are jealous of and do good to them.
You have to work at this. Jealousy is not just going to fall away. You have to throw it off. Don’t let it destroy you.
Scriptures
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
- 2 Corinthians 12:20
- 1 Samuel 18:6-9
- Mark 15:9-10
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