Not too many things can rob you of your peace like the spirit of jealousy in a relationship. I’m not so sure about the existence of ‘healthy’ competition as long as there is comparison. And without comparison, there would be no competition.
Your success does not matter if your foundation is loosely built on what others think of you. That competitive success is a defeat in itself. Success is to be in the will of God no matter where you are in life!
To compete means “striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others who are trying to do the same.” The spirit of competition is deeply rooted in jealousy; an issue that can be easily missed because the roots are usually hidden.
From Genesis, you know about the spirit of jealously that manifested in Cain. And each time it manifests among us, it progresses from different forms like slander, hatred and anger, eventually leading to murder. You may not actually commit the actual act of murder, but eliminating that person out of your sight, heart, conversations, activities and life itself will all be the result of that spirit of competition.
Remember Where It Started?
Lucifer started off by comparing himself to God. When you allow this spirit in your life, you will not acknowledge God and thank Him for everything He has done for you so far. The enemy continues to sow discontentment in your spirit, taking away the joy of the Holy Spirit from your life and making you feel miserable in the place where you are supposed to be rejoicing.
Spirit of Excellence
You can still strive for excellence without being in competition. Don’t struggle for excellence through constant comparison. Strive for the best – for the glory of God – to be displayed through your life. Not to be better than someone else, but to glorify the name of God. If you truly mean that, then you will not be anxious or be overcome with jealousy if someone else does better than you.
Cross-Check Your Life
Does your stomach twitch at the news of blessing, promotion or something good for someone else? Do you feel like pulling them down at the closest opportunity you can get? Face it. Make a quick count of how many people out there you really don’t like deep down in your heart. And if they were blessed and it really bothers you, then you would likely react in a similar way mentioned above.
Now; Fix It!
1. Begin by acknowledging and confessing your sins.
2. Forgive anything that stands in your way of blessing them.
3. Intentionally begin to think of them as being more significant than you. Really? Yes! Philippians 2:3: ”Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
4. Seek God continually ’til every cell of your flesh dies to that side of you and you become secure in God.
5. Find opportunities to bless those people you could not stand before. (Of course, without expecting anything back). Do it with or without their knowledge.
Now, give it time. It will be impossible not to bear good fruits through your life. But most of all, enjoy complete freedom of mind and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Have you come across these moments in life? How have you overcome them?