THE GREEN SICKNESS

THE GREEN SICKNESS
 
The story is told of an elderly woman who decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and Rolex watch."
 
“But you are not wearing any of those things," replied the artist.
 
"I know," she said. "It's in case I should die before my husband. I'm sure he'll remarry right away, and I want his new wife to go crazy looking for the jewelry."
 
Those of you who are Muppet fans will recall that one of Kermit the Frog's most famous lines was, "It's not easy being green." But I disagree. Shakespeare called jealousy "the green sickness", and we often speak of people being "green with envy". And, in that regard, it's all too easy being green!
 
It has been said that there are two kinds of people in the world -- those who are millionaires and those who would like to be. And that's one example of jealousy, but it's only a piece of it. When someone else does an outstanding thing or receives an honor and I say, "That's great!", but inside I wish that I were in that position, that's jealousy. When someone else receives all the attention because of their reputation or wit or ability to speak, and I think I ought to be the center of attention, that's jealousy too.
 
Solomon said long ago, "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" (Proverbs 27:4). Paul lists jealousy as one of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:20.
 
We don't like to think of jealousy and envy as being all that bad. We like to think of works of the flesh being things like murder (that's terrible!), fornication (what a horrible sin!), and drunkenness (disgraceful for any Christian to consider!). But we sometimes forget that envy is in that same list in Galatians 5.
 
If we want to overcome jealousy, we need only remember that love and jealousy are mutually exclusive. Paul says that in I Corinthians 13:4 that "Love does not envy.” Rather, love will "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15).
 
The greater our love for others, the less jealous we will be.
 
Have a great day!
 
…..Alan Smith (when written - Helen Street Church of Christ, Fayetteville, North Carolina by way of “Christian Voices” (christianvoices@att.net)