I’m currently struggling with jealousy — I know that because I have Jesus, I have everything, but I still become jealous after I see someone with something that I want, whether it be their personality, skills, and so on; I’ve been jealous of my own friends, and it’s disgusting. To make matters worse, there’s even a particular person I tend to be jealous of. I find myself wishing misfortune to her — again, disgusting. I keep reminding myself that God will provide all that I need, but I keep having these thoughts and feelings. I find myself constantly asking for forgiveness for this sin. What verses would be useful for me to study?
This sounds like it’s become something bigger than you are. In other words you’re not fighting something mental or emotional, but something spiritual. Look how it’s got you thinking about yourself. I think your enemy has a stronghold here, and you should treat it as such.
If your church provides opportunities for personal prayer, go forward and get some. Ask to be anointed and prayed over (James 5:14-16). If you can, get some people to be prayer warriors with you to help you.
Here are some verses you can study.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5. You have the power to take thoughts of jealousy captive and make them obedient to Christ.
Ephesians 4:20-24. In the name of Jesus you have the power to throw off old attitudes and take on new ones.
James 4:7-8. The devil stirs up these thoughts in you because he can. Resist him and he will flee from you..
Phil 4:4-7, 13 & 19. Form the habit of thanking God every day for the blessings you receive. Be specific. Thank him for everything you can think of. Focus your mind on the blessings He’s given you and think about them.
Whenever thoughts of jealousy come into your mind, rebuke them in Jesus’ name and repeat these verses. Make them yours by putting them in the first person. Write them on 3X5 cards and carry them with you until you learn them.
Remember, when the thought first comes into your mind it’s not a sin, it’s an attack. As long as you rebuke the thought and refuse to act on it, you haven’t sinned . You resist the devil by rebuking the thought he sends you and replacing it with thoughts that conform to Phil 4:4-7. Since you can only think about one thing at a time, your good thought will drive the bad thought away.
Practice this until it becomes an automatic response to every attack and you will emerge victorious.