Slaying Dragons: Jealousy — Tuesday
Genesis 3:6-7
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (NIV)
Have you ever found yourself not “in the know”? I hate when I’m in a room of people and it’s evident I don’t know something that everyone else does. Being in the dark without knowledge can make you feel like those around you may look down on you. Being left out can lead to paranoia, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll do anything to get the information you’re lacking. This is not a new feeling. We can look back to Genesis and see how being jealous of knowledge led to the fall of man.
In verse 5, the serpent tempts Eve with knowledge by saying, “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Eve was jealous of God’s knowledge. She knew there was something she didn’t quite yet know, and the Enemy knew it would not take much to get her to bite. The consequence of Eve’s actions wasn’t just shame and embarrassment for her and Adam—sin had also entered the world. All because of Eve’s jealousy, which led to disobedience.
Jealousy is a tool of Satan. He places jealous thoughts into our brains to distract us from God’s intended plan. He shows us what others have and tells us we are lacking, convincing us that God doesn’t actually want what’s best for us. John 10 tells us that Jesus came to give us abundant life, but we can’t live in that abundance when we’re trying to get what others have.
Tuesday’s Reflection
Think back to a time when the Enemy tempted you with knowledge. Did you overcome the temptation, or did you give in? Reflect on this experience and how the Lord responded to your actions.