Jealousy, Envy, Fear - Kills

“…For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.”

Matthew 27:18

Holy Week is time when we reflect on the cross and the price Jesus paid for us. During this week the Jewish leaders plotted the death of Christ which began the road to Jesus' crucifixion. Although they were used for this very purpose, Satan was able to use that which was in their hearts which drove them to kill Jesus - Envy, Jealousy, and Fear.

There was a time when I was extremely insecure and the Lord sent NANCY!!! into my life. Nancy was not very pretty but she took great care of herself which made her very attractive. She dressed nice, hair was always well kept, and she wore matching accessories. I worked the graveyard shift, so I didn't take much care in dressing for the night. 

Nancy 's shift ended about two hours after I reported in for duty. I was married and was not interested in other men BUT whenever men entered our office, NANCY!!! always caught their attention. I literally took NANCY!!! home with me. I went to sleep thinking about her, I woke up thinking about her, and I ate my meals thinking about her. Nancy was often gossiped about but because I was a “good Christian girl” I did not talk about her but mannn I would laugh so hard when others did. I was JEAALLLOUS!!!

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The Jewish Leaders

Religious leaders in Jerusalem were the most well-known, powerful, and respected of all leaders.

• The Pharisees controlled the synagogues and exercised great control over the general population. 

• The Sadducees were the aristocrats of the time, the party of the rich and the high priestly families. They were in charge of the temple and its services. They wanted nothing to threaten their position and wealth, so they strongly opposed Jesus. 

• The Zealots were the extreme wing of the Pharisees. They believed that only God had the right to rule over the Jews. They were willing to fight and die for their beliefs. 

• The Herodians were Jews who were in opposition to the Pharisees, supported Herod Antipas and desired that a descendant of Herod the Great be given power of Palestine. 

Their hunger for more power, money, and status had made them all lose sight of God.

The Triumphant Entry – The True Leader

Then the King of kings rode in on his donkey and they all knew He was coming because it was told to them by the prophet, Zechariah 9:9 And just as it was prophesied, the people shouted and praised the King, “…Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” Luke 19:38

Jesus Clears the Temple - The King Took Charge

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, MY HOUSE shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13-14 

• I can hear the Sadducees saying, “Your house! This is Our house!” 

• The Pharisees saying, “We run and control these people!” 

• The Zealots, “His house?! He better ask somebody, it's time to throw down, this house belongs to God not him! 

• And the Herodians, “Yall need some help! How are you all letting somebody throw you out of your own house, we need Herod!” 

Then they demanded to know by whom authority He had thrown them out. Matthew 21:23 But I love Jesus' answer to them. Matthew 21:24-27

Dictionary.com says, “Jealousy denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves. 

On the other hand, Envy denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another." 

When Jesus showed up, they feared losing their power, money, status and control of the people to the rightful owner and decided to get rid of Him. Matthew 21:43, Matthew 21:45-46 So they were fearful, envious and jealous. Matthew 27:18 They resented Jesus taking what rightly belonged to Him and desired to possess what was His. They had to remove Him. Jealousy, Envy, and Fear caused the Jewish leaders to then plot the death of Christ which began the road to Jesus' crucifixion. Luke 22:1-2

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Envy, Jealousy and Fear Kills

After reading this devotion, allow the Holy Spirit to show you what's in your heart that Satan can use to kill someone's reputation, dreams, or hopes and maybe even take their lives. 1 Peter 5:8 Because, just as he used the Jewish Leaders, he still can use our weaknesses. But remember what Jesus said, “…Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40 For he still seeks to destroy the Jesus in us! 2 Corinthians 4:10

Although I didn't do the talking, my laughing at the gossip about Nancy allowed Satan to use me in an attempt to destroy her reputation. I prayed for deliverance and God sent His word through a book 'I just happened' to pick up and read (smile). Psalm 107:20 When I opened it there it was, “Jealousy, Envy and Fear Kills”. Long end short of the story, the author said,

"The very thing you are jealous of may be the thing that you admire and believe you lack. Take a look at yourself. If you lack what you admire, use it to build up yourself. If not, simply admire it.

So, I started dressing nicer, keeping up my hair, and bought me some matching accessories and was able to admire Nancy and not envy her. I didn't mimic her, I simply realized I needed to take better care of myself. I built up myself and stopped trying to tear Nancy down.

Nancy was eventually fired and I found out God still had a work to do in my heart because, inwardly, I was happy she was gone and like the Jewish Leaders with Jesus, I no longer had to contend with her only to find out I still had to contend with my wicked heart. Jeremiah 17:9-10 But because of JESUS laying down His life! Romans 7:24-25 and God's promise Philippians 1:6 I am victorious!!!

God says, “_______________ (insert your name), allow me to search your heart. For the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: a puzzle that no one can figure out. I and only I (not even you) know what is deeply rooted in your heart that the enemy can use. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be. I, who began the work, will perform it until My Son's return.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we focus on the cross this week and what it really means, O God, search us and know our hearts. Cross-examine and test us, give us a clear picture of what we are about. And lead us in the path of righteousness so that there is nothing in us for Satan to use that will hurt You, for we know that what we do to the least of them we do to you. Hosanna to the Highest!! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

In HIS name we pray. Amen! Amen! Amen!

(Now make it personal)

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