Godly Jealousy

Recently I listened to a popular TV preacher who compared godly jealousy to human self-orientated jealously.  As I went to check scriptures about his statements about godly jealousy, his comments really healed my heart.

For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Exodus 34:14

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:  2 Corinthians 11:2a

 I can honestly say I have experienced the godly jealousy in regards to my family and people I love. When someone or some false ideology starts hanging around, alarms go off in my head. Handling it the right way keeps the godly emotion in the 'godly' category. There is nothing wrong with sharing the truth in love.

Godly jealousy should be construed as love and not considered a product of a negative heart.  It is not the same as human jealousy that arises out of self-interest that produces negative emotions like envy (I haven't found any references to God being an envious God), ungodly anger (to see what is said about godly anger look in the Bible-Ephesians 4:26) and pride (there may be a godly pride-Galatians 6:4) to name a few.

Jealousy can be a positive feeling about what is the best benefit of living according God's wisdom. We, as believers, are going to feel that same godly jealousy in response to things that misdirect people.  It is not something to be ashamed of.  Our culture, our ceremonies, celebrations, holidays and entertainment are loaded with subtle and not so subtle pagan substitutions for truth. Lack of truth has its effects. Its substitute practices drag people away from the beautiful joyful reality of God's peace and his love.

We need to be mindful that the Bible says the evil in the world will wax worse and worse. Just turn on the news and negative emotion and clouds of deception are everywhere:

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation (deliverance) through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:13-17

True godly love furnishes us with the tools to handle life. Chaos and drama swirls around constantly and tries to cut these tools out of our lives.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God for the purpose that those who love God can be furnished with the right tools! 💗