10/06/2016
The Results of Competitive Jealousy What does competitive jealousy look like? It takes many forms, some more blatant than others. Let us examine some of the varying ways this destructive force can appear. Self-Promotion Let me bring our examination of the spirit of competitive jealousy close to home by posing a question. Are you trying to climb a corporate spiritual ladder of success? In the corporate world you know how important it is to climb that ladder of success. You're aware of all the politics involved in climbing that corporate ladder. If your superior doesn't like you, your career is doomed. No matter how good a job you do, if you are not liked; you will go nowhere. That's just the way things are. Tragically, a similar manipulative spirit has attached itself to the church. You can seek to impress people in their presence and act entirely different when they are not around. You can rub elbows with the pastor, hoping to gain some special place in his heart. A good pastor will not be affected by such scheming. He will only do what God tells him to do. If he can be influenced by your behavior, he can be controlled by other things more powerful and more lethal. The good pastor has discovered that God-ideas are always better than good ideas, because God's ideas are already anointed and will get results. Good ideas may be only that, good ideas. They may go nowhere and produce nothing. Are you serving in the church only to promote yourself? Do you have an agenda to advance in order to receive glory from men? The first step in defeating the spirit of competitive jealousy is to examine your motives. As you do, remember, competitive jealousy can take many forms. Young pastors may begin to compare their churches to those of other pastors. That is competitive jealousy. They need to keep their eyes on Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Nothing but more stress and futile efforts result from watching statistics and comparing their congregation to that big church down the street. Women often try to run the pastor's wife or attempt to usurp authority by pushing their agenda for the women's ministry. A battle ensues between those competing for attention and limited funds. Church fights can get ugly. Women controlled by the spirit of competitive jealousy can wreak great havoc in an otherwise healthy body. Associate pastors with big dreams and visions don't always remain satisfied with submitting themselves to the pastor. Many fall into the trap set for them by Satan. "What does he have that I don't have," they say to themselves. "I can preach just as well as he can. God speaks to me, too." A lead singer may attempt to overrule the choir director because she knows she is the only one in the choir with the range to sing a certain song. Everybody in the choir begins to compare themselves to her. Following her example, there are suddenly too many chiefs and not enough Indians. A soloist whose voice cracks every once in a while, but sings from her heart, is much better than one who sings flawlessly but is motivated by competitive jealousy. Secretaries can become possessive of their job duties. They can be heard to remark, "Why is she doing that? That is my job. I wonder why I wasn't told about this." It is truly amazing how fast your words can run. The fastest thing in this world is not some supersonic jet. It is gossip whispered by competitive lips to jealous ears. Entry-level staff members frequently try to elevate themselves on the organizational chart. When they join the staff, they try to figure out ways to stroke their superiors to gain approval. Theses are just a few of the manipulative ways the spirit of competitive jealousy can be manifested. Personal Offenses One of the most common examples of competitive jealousy is when one church member becomes offended over the promotion of a newer member to a role of leadership. This is competition among the rank and file. Entire church bodies may be involved in this on some level. This is such a subtle thing; it can take over the hearts of people with the best intentions. Department heads can feel their programs deserve priority over the others. Competitive jealousy can turn a normally docile, compassionate man into a bitter old goat, bent on vengeance. When a leader feels like he has been passed over or slighted, his offended attitude can be contagious. Men in leadership who hold on to an offense have driven the wedges of many a church split. This is just another expression of the spirit of competitive jealousy at work. Wrong Values Let me illustrate with a biblical example. Look at the book of Luke, the tenth chapter. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?" (vv. 38-40). Martha was saying of Mary that she needs to get up off of her bottom and get in the kitchen and help! Martha was making a comparison based on the values in her heart. She may have even reached a point of criticism with her sister. "Who does she think she is?" But before you begin to look down on her, check your own heart and actions. Have you ever said in your heart, "Well, now I'm a leader. I can't possibly be troubled with cleaning up after the fellowship." Or, "I have received a revelation from God, I am above waiting on tables." We criticize to make ourselves look better when all along we know we should be in the same place. It is so easy to criticize. Again, the root of the action is competitiveness and jealousy. It is important to note how Jesus puts things in perspective on one occasion. Remember when Martha was upset because Mary had left her to do all the work? Martha thought the most important thing at the moment was to get things cleaned up. Jesus' response was much different. In contrast to Martha's complaints, Jesus probably shook his head, thinking that she just had not gotten it yet. With masterful tact, the Savior replies, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41). Stress and busy activity are two sure signs that competitive jealousy is involved. Jesus pointed out to Martha what was necessary. "One thing is needful ..." (Luke 10:41). Christ paints a vivid picture with this word "needful". In the natural, we all have certain physiological needs. There are things that one must have to sustain life. Jesus was using this example from everyday life to describe spiritual needs. Just as there are things which are needful to sustain physical life, there are certain things which are needful to sustain spiritual life. Jesus says, the word is needful. If you will find yourself involved in that which is needful, rather than finding yourself involved in comparison and competitive jealousy, that which is needful will guard your heart and your mind and keep you in a position of obedience to God. Comparing myself to the Word of God produces positive change in me. When I get into the Word I must continue to adjust my attitudes and actions to remain obedient. I recognize that comparing myself to the Word of God is a continuous thing. I know that I am not going to be like Jesus until I see Him, but when I see Him I know that I am going to be just like Him.
