any jealous bones in your body?
"Are you jealous?" —Numbers 11:29
The devil couldn't stop the seventy-two Israelite elders from receiving the Spirit (see Nm 11:25-26). However, he hoped to be more successful by enticing the Israelites to quench the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19) through jealousy (Nm 11:29).
Demons could not prevent a man from using Jesus' name to expel them (Mk 9:38). Therefore, they tried to stop the continuation of this man's ministry of deliverance (Mk 9:38). Once again, the demons tried to accomplish this through jealousy.
Jesus is dead set against jealous people being sad at others' successes and thereby saddening the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). He warns that if we're jealous of other people's hands because they work better than ours and can make more money, then we should cut off our own hands (Mk 9:43). If we're jealous of others' speed, strength, or health, we should cut off our feet (Mk 9:45). If we're jealous of how others look, we should tear out one of our eyes (Mk 9:47). If you have a "jealous bone in your body," take out the bone or amputate that part of your body.
Jealousy is one of the works of the flesh (Gal 5:20). "I warn you, as I have warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!" (Gal 5:21) Repent of jealousy. Don't compare yourself with others. Believe in God the Father's love for you as His child.
Prayer: Father, I offer my body to You as a living sacrifice (Rm 12:1).
Promise: "Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow His Spirit on them all!" —Nm 11:29
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus proclaiming the Great Jubilee! Praise You, Jesus, the Living Word!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000