Admiration Turned to Envy & Jealousy- Part I

Proverbs 14:30  A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rotteness to the bones.

As I am writing this new blog, I still haven’t figured out the title. Normally, my blogs originate from a title, and the inspiration kicks in, and it just flows from there, but this time – Nope! I am considering about four possible titles, all of which sound okay – I mean, they fit the topic, but it's just not quite right. Like when you taste something, you know how it's supposed to taste, but something is missing, some black pepper, some onion powder, something ….

By the time I finish this blog, which is a series, by the way, I will have a title.

Holy Spirit, please speak!

I grew up not having a lot. I had the basics, but I wasn’t the best-dressed compared to my counterparts in school. I wasn’t Polo down to the socks , or had Guess, Nautica , Columbia , Damage , Cross Colours, Nikes, Jordans falling out of my closets. ( I'm telling my age ....Some of you all are going to have to go online and look up the name brands for yourself ) I was not in full-on poverty, but there was always a spirit of lack that was over my life from a very young age.

Now I know you might be saying having name brand clothes does not mean you were in lack and I agree, but as a parent today  I look at the way I provide for my children and it made me realize that I was in lack for most of my childhood years and in several areas from my childhood, through adolescence up until I got my first real job as an adult and began to take care of myself. I will say that I am grateful for those experiences in my childhood, because they made me stronger and brought me to the Lord at an early age.

With that being said, I was a pretty girl who was shy, quiet, and mostly stayed to myself. I never liked the spot light or was the person to be the loudest in the group. The instability in my home life magnified my feelings of neglect.

I am prefacing this blog with this information to show that, in my eyes, I lacked, was nothing special, struggled, and strived for everything. Yet… for some reason, some of the people that I encountered, whether it was in relationships, the workplace, educational settings, where I lived, even “friends” exposed their thoughts about me that went beyond normal admiration.

Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses.

Now let me stop y’all before you start saying - you are paranoid and think too highly of yourself.

Remember what I just shared with you. It was quite the opposite; I didn't see why anyone would be threatened by me. However, what I have learned is that the Holy Spirit will share the secret things of God with you and begin to reveal the true nature of the people you encounter as you go through life. Discernment is key for every believer in defeating the enemy.

1 Corinthians 2:14: The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

He showed me what the spirit of jealousy and envy looks like and how those spirits are the foundation for witchcraft! Do you know how many people are out here doing witchcraft and cursing people and not realizing what they are doing, and even more so, how they are hindering themselves and causing God's wrath to come upon their own lives because they are not able to be content?

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

So , how do you know if someone, family, friend, foe, lover, acquaintance, or whomever you encounter has the spirit of jealousy or envy towards you?

1.      They are boastful and prideful . These types of people go out of their way to boast to you about what they own and what they are doing, often to the point of repetition, and every conversation will start to sound the same. They may ask how you are doing, but they are so consumed with proving to others that they are achieving or obtaining a certain status, they cannot help themselves; they are in a competition with no one but themselves. Not only will you see jealousy and envy, but this person will also have a strong sense of pride.

2.      They are overly nice and constantly ask you questions about your life . Now we all inquire about how the people we care about are doing, or we may show interest in what someone is doing if they have shared information about their lives. However, this person is persistent in their questions; they will ask about your finances, romantic relationship, future plans, and goals. They desire to know what bothers you, what your fears are, and what trauma you have experienced. They are able to gain your trust easily and are great communicators.

3.      They will mimic your life . They may go and purchase something after they’ve learned you brought it. They may start to dress you to attempt to look like you. They will go to the places you go. They will start to mimic your life plans. If you say you are going to school to become a doctor, then out of nowhere, they too “realize” they wanted to become a doctor. Now, I preface this by saying that there is a healthy type of mimicking we all do: we see something we like and thus we want it. People with the mimic spirit will also exhibit some or all of the other characteristics listed in this section.

4.      They are constantly degrading themselves. These people have low self-esteem and will often be quietly observing you with the hope of gaining access into your life through pity to become spiritual vampires. They have not achieved what they desired for one reason or another and are sad and depressed about life overall. They do not feel they have the power to change their lives or are too afraid to take the necessary steps to make a change. Although they may seem quiet or exhibit low self-value, they are just as dangerous because they are unsuspecting; their misery will become your misery. If they can’t be happy, anyone around them will suffer as well.

5.      They stir up strife and conflict. These are people who start fights and arguments before your big event or day. Say hurtful things to upset you, throw you off your game, and provoke anger. They gossip about you and try to turn people against you through slander. They play the victim card and attempt to turn all the focus on themselves at every opportunity; it is impossible for them to genuinely be happy for someone else. They use weaponized incompetence, fail to show up, or fail to fulfill their promises. They lull you into a state of dependency, only to disappoint or frustrate you repeatedly. Your hurt and disappointment make them feel a false sense of superiority and power.

6.      They reveal their plan to you ! Lastly, these are types I respect; they are still the enemy, but they are outright! They are not masquerading, secretly hating you, and pretending- they just straight up with their hate!  They make it known- they do not like you, are jealous and envious of you, and are going to whatever they can to destroy you and steal your blessings. They are not that common because, for most people, if someone lets you know they have that type of venom for you, you are going to put your guard up and stay clear of them. So it is easier for them to come in other, less threatening forms.

It is their admiration of you, their desire to have what you have- The light of God that shines through you. That light is visible to everyone, especially those who are under the control of demons. It is like a magnet for them; they don’t have it, they lost it, and they want to strip you of it because it has the power to cast them out, stop their evil plans, free souls and generations, and take back territory for the kingdom of God!

It is simple: What They Admire About You is What They Hate About You.

(Side note that was almost the title.)

It doesn’t matter if you don’t think you have anything to be jealous of. If you grew up poor, weren’t popular, are not conventionally beautiful or handsome, have a big house, cars, jewelry, fame, etc. None of that matters-  it is the spirit of God that is in you. It attracts all like a moth to a flame.

John 12:32- And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

The truly sad and disgusting part is that God is not lacking in abundance; He has more than enough to give to all of His children. We don’t have to steal, manipulate, fight, curse people through witchcraft, and do all of these foolish gymnastics to be blessed. It is his good pleasure to give it to us. Wishing evil on others, boasting, competing, and mimicking someone else’s life only hinders us.

Saints, be sober and careful about who you engage with and whom you share your information with until next time. Focus on living righteously, doing good, and keep moving!