Are you a jealous person?

Wait! Before you answer that, please consider the idea that “;jealous”; is one of the most maligned words in Christian jargon. Some people actually leave the church over the word. But there is good jealousy.

If you are familiar with the translations of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, which says, “;Love is ... not jealous,”; you're probably ready to quit on me right now. But hang on just a second. What if that's a mistranslation? What if it's really supposed to be “;love is not envious”;?

Let's look at the words “;jealousy”; and “;envy.”; Webster's dictionary defines envy with terms like “;resentful discontent,”; “;covetousness”; and “;begrudging admiration.”; Jealousy, it says, is more of a feeling of resentment that someone has something you deserve. But, buried after words like resentful, suspicious and envious, we find two other definitions.

Jealous is also being:

» Watchful in guarding something.

» Intolerant of unfaithfulness or rivalry.

Thus, in Exodus, we read, “;I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,”; and in the book of Numbers, God applauds Phineas for his jealousy.

The Old Testament abounds with references to God's jealousy: Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9 and 6:15; Joshua 24:19; and Joel 2:18, to name just a few.

And in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul also refers to godly jealousy—“;For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy”;—in his second letter to the Corinthians.

So, what's the practical application? There has to be a practical application for every lesson learned.

Consider what things you should be jealous of with a godly jealousy. Think watchful in guarding something, intolerant of unfaithfulness or rivalry. You should be “;jealous”; of your marriage, your children, your mind, your church, your friendships, your finances and anything else God has given you to steward. Guard them jealously. Don't let Satan, circumstances, time or any other enemy destroy them.

But be sure you understand the situation before you start jumping all over something. Is another man a rival just because he talked to your wife? Is your husband unfaithful because he hugged another woman after church? Be watchful, but make sure that any time you are intolerant, it is only after much prayer and godly counsel.

Yes, love must be tough, so we have to be intolerant of alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery, defiant disobedience and other unrepented sins. But we must never be intolerant of the person.

Godly jealousy seeks healing and restoration. Hurtful or hateful jealousy is never from God. So, when you recognize jealousy, explore it fully. If the jealousy is justified, make sure your actions are godly. Seek restoration, not destruction.

Remember, while love is not resentful or covetous (envious), it is protective and watchful (jealous). Be jealous with godly jealousy.