Finding Joy Beyond Jealousy
By Dean Collins
Jealousy is a strong cocktail because it is a mixture of different emotions. Two in particular are often present: fear and anger. Throw in abandonment—or the fear of abandonment—and feelings of insecurity, and things can get heated really quickly.
Consider Acts 5 as an example. Luke described the high priest and the Sadducees as being filled with jealousy as they struggled to figure out how to stop Peter and John and the rapid growth of the number of Jews who were placing their faith in their message about Jesus and the miracles being performed through them.
It didn’t seem to matter what the Jewish leaders did to stop the spread of the gospel or the apostles who were preaching with powerful results. They tried imprisonment, warnings, and eventually beatings. Yet the boldness of the apostles, the undeniable miracles, and the thousands who were coming to believe in Jesus and the resurrection filled the highest-ranking religious leaders with jealousy.
When someone is jealous, they may exhibit a variety of behaviors. Jealous people are often filled with suspicion, become more controlling, and ask lots of questions. And when we can’t get the results we want, our jealousy can lead to strong outbursts and actions.
The high priest tried to stop Peter and John. He tried to control them and punish them by putting them in prison, but the Holy Spirit kept intervening, and the boldness of the apostles continued to grow.
Finally, a well-respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, Gamaliel, attempted to calm his angry peers. His advice was that the Jewish leaders take a breath and let things play out. He reminded them of three different people who had led movements that disrupted the Jewish system, and all of them had failed. He wrapped up his comments with this analysis:
“So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”
It is interesting to note that Saul was one of Gamaliel’s students, and we know that Saul took a more aggressive approach and began persecuting the church. Maybe there is a fine line between being zealous and being jealous. The first may simply indicate enthusiasm, zeal, and passion for a cause, while being jealous is more rooted in fear and a loss of control.
Saul, who later became known as Paul, was definitely enthusiastic and passionate about what he believed. He was determined to stop the followers of Christ, regardless of what his teacher Gamaliel had suggested.
While I would be careful about how I applied Gamaliel’s advice, I do think that ultimately his statement stands. The things of God will not be stopped. They may be interrupted or appear to be slowed, but God’s plan for the renewal and restoration of his creation will ultimately be accomplished.
According to Luke, the religious leaders followed Gamaliel’s advice, but they tweaked it. They called the apostles back in, beat them, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go.
The response of the apostles is worth noting:
“Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”
I don’t know about you, but rejoicing is not my first thought when I experience suffering. But having been with Jesus, they saw the truth that the writer of Hebrews would later express:
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
As you consider the fifth chapter of Acts, let me suggest a few takeaways:
When you are feeling jealous of someone, step back and ask the Lord what you are fearful or angry about.
When things are difficult and someone stands in your way, especially when you are doing what you believe God is calling you to do, remember how Jesus looked beyond his suffering to the joy of what God would accomplish through it. I really can’t think of a time when I didn’t grow closer to God during seasons of suffering.
Father, we long to do your will, yet we confess that our emotions sometimes get in the way of our progress. We pray that the Holy Spirit would give us insight, peace, and courage in our moments of setback and difficulty. We want your joy to be our strength today and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Acts 5:17-42; Hebrews 12:2 ESV
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