Guarding Against Jealousy, Competition and Comparison

Saul had issues.

He had internal issues, issues with his role as king, issues with obeying God, issues with throwing spears at people…the man had issues.

In 1 Samuel 18 we get a great glimpse at Saul and his jealousy towards David.  Through what we see unfold there are some great lessons that each of us can grow from.  Each of us at one level or another has fought, is fighting or will fight the urge to grow jealous, be in competition or fall into the trap of comparison.

Here are some thought on how to guard against jealousy, competition and comparison:

1. Learn to celebrate the success of others

People noticed that David was successful.  So did Saul.  But David’s success made Saul angry (see 1 Samuel 18:5-9).  The ironic thing is that David’s success was only helping Saul as king.  If we can’t learn to celebrate the success of others we will get trapped by jealousy, competition and comparison.

2. Be thankful for God’s GIFT and GRACE on the lives of others.

We can choose what we are gifted at.  God gives gifts and graces people with abilities for His purposes.  The last thing we should do is grow jealous of what someone has, or is doing - when it is simply by God’s grace that they have what they have or are doing what they are doing.

3. Don’t allow your insecurity and fear to try and kill the potential in others.

This is what lead Saul to start chucking spears in David’s direction.  My guess is (and I could be wrong) that you probably have not thrown a literal spear at anyone recently.  But what about the words, attitudes, actions or the lack their of that get thrown towards people out of our insecurity and fear?

4. Remember FEAR often leads down the road to FAILURE.

I can’t remember too many times in scripture where God’s people decided to live in fear and it lead them to victory.  In 1 Samuel 18:12 we see that Saul became afraid of David.  This just escalated jealousy and competition in his life.  It is impossible to operate in fear and faith at the same time.  Don’t allow the fear of man (what people think, say, or even what others are doing) to become a snare for you.

5. Make room for others to succeed.

If you want to live in freedom and experience God’s grace on your life and those who you surround yourself with - make room for others to succeed!  When we go out of our way to make room for others, it crushes the main thing that stirs up jealousy, competition and comparison…ME.  If I am making room for others to win, grow, and succeed it moves me out of the way.