Monday 10, August 2026

Hello siblings

I pray that you have never been on the receiving end of jealousy. It rarely occurs alone. Yesterday we reflected that human jealousy usually triggers other sinful acts. That was the issue for the early believers: they fell victim to jealousy. Read more in Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts 5:17-18 CEVDCI

[17] The high priest and all the other Sadducees who were with him became jealous.

[18] They arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail.

Framed by Jealousy

Unfortunately, jealousy is often accompanied by destruction. The one/s under its influence usually seek to destroy the subject of their envy through murder, lies, character defamation, or theft. One striking biblical example occurs in 1 Kings 21. In that instance, the king was the one overwhelmed by jealousy. He coveted his neighbour, Naboth’s vineyard. Spurred on by his wife, Jezebel, Ahaz set in motion a chain of events to help him steal the vineyard. They included lies and character defamation that led to Naboth’s death. We also remember that King David coveted his soldier’s wife, and that too resulted in death.

Jealousy is dangerous.

Point to Ponder

Can we think of any modern situation where jealousy has cost others their lives or livelihood?

Deeper Dive

The Chief Priests and Sadducees had already established their modus operandi. Eliminate threats by any means necessary. Having conspired with the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law to eliminate Y’shua, they already had a ‘system’ in place. The apostles were arrested. This action is not as extreme as what was done to Y’shua, but it was where the physical aspect of Y’shua’s crucifixion began.

We may recall that after Peter and John’s release from jail, the believers prayed for courage (Acts 4:24-30). Their experience of Y’shua’s murder taught them that persecution was a possibility. That boldness would have to keep them from faltering when the jealousy of the religious leaders resulted in their arrest.

It can’t have been easy for them to trust God. They had no idea about their future. I believe that they opted to hold steadfast to Y’shua and the hope they found by God’s Spirit. For those of us facing the destructive impact of jealousy, it may cost everything we know and hold dear. I pray that we can hold steadfast to Christ through the power at work within us: God’s Spirit (see Ephesians 3:20).

Only God can keep us from falling (literally and spiritually) when the enemy fills others with jealousy and invites them to kill, steal, and destroy under its influence (see John 10:10). May we be reminded that in Christ we have life – in this world and the next. That’s the other side of the message for those of us in Christ. In the face of jealousy we are not alone, for God is with us.

Prayer Points

So many people are caught in the trap of jealousy. Some are ensnared by selfishness; others are the victims of jealousy. Nations have gone to war, indigenous people have been displaced because of the jealousy of influential people.

As we pray for transformation, let us pray for the perpetrators – that they may repent of their ways; and for the victimised – that justice may prevail, regardless of the perceived power of the perpetrator. If we are onlookers, let us pray for ourselves and others that we may find the courage to defend others’ rights and dignity.

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May all we seek be found in Christ