Anyone can start well, but having a good ending is what is important. What brings a bad ending? A bad ending always starts with complacency. Then temptation comes in with wrong desires. Then you start dealing with unsatisfaction, which leads to depression and jealousy.
When does complacency first try to set in? After a victory. In 1 Samuel 18:5-9, King Saul and David have just experienced a victory over the Philistine. Instead of being grateful for David, King Saul heard the praises and became angry and jealous. Why? He was more concerned about himself than about his nation or his people. People who are consumed with jealousy love themselves more than God, spouse, children, nation, or anyone else.
Jealousy turns into obsession, which will take away your peace, cause you to make bad decisions, and will eventually destroy you. King Saul became obsessed with destroying David’s life, but instead destroyed his own. In the meantime, David became more prosperous, successful, and loved by the people of Israel.
When your enemy rises against you, rejoice. If your heart is right with God, He will give you favor and victory, even when people attack you and try to destroy you (Romans 8:31).
How do we overcome jealousy towards others? Pray for them. Serve them. Choose to help and do good to them. Give them your time and energy. Be like David and choose to bless those who come against you. Do not come against them in return, but forgive quickly. Forgiveness is the key to victory.
David had a good ending because he was obedient to God. He forgave quickly. He repented quickly. He humbled himself and submitted to the correction and instruction given by the prophet of God.
According to Matthew 18:21-35, forgiving others is for our own benefit. God will not hear your prayers if your heart is filled with anger or unforgiveness (James 1:20). 1 Peter 3:7 shows us that our prayers will be hindered by our sin.
If you truly believe that this life is only temporary, that God is in charge, that you can lose your life at any time, and that you will live eternally in heaven, you will not try to build your kingdom on this earth, but will build your treasure in heaven. You will not try to find happiness or pleasure in this life, but will always seek to please your Father in heaven.
God bless you!
Pastor Sun Hui East
I never thought of myself as a jealous person, but it’s funny how situations can arise that bring out our “smaller” sins… I say smaller, not because God sees it as a “better” sin, but that we fall pray to it less frequently that to our main weaknesses. Anyway, I had this happen recently at my workplace & had to come to terms with some jealousy in my heart. At least I could address it with the Lord & repent… somehow, it was freeing. Thank you for this message Pastor Sun Hui East, for letting the Lord use you to speak His correction & guidance!
I want to learn to forgive quickly, good post today Pastor Sun Hui East…thank you!
So do I… easier said than done!
I think the worst thing possible would be to have known and served Christ and then to turn on Him and go my “own way”… how terrifying to know that this is truly possible, but the Bible is full of stores that support this truth. We must serve and stay loyal to the Lord to enter His kingdom. Thank you for your direct and truthful teachings Pastor Sun Hui East!
If we truly stay in love with Jesus. Then we will have a good ending. But if we love Him conditionally . And seek His hand more than His face. Then we set ourselves up to fail.
This is so true, the Bible is full of examples. Thank you Pastor Sun.
Thank you Pastor Sun for this teaching the truth of God’s Word, for being faithful to Him all of these years.
Amen to that, thank you Pastor Sun Hui East!
I appreciate this teaching about jealousy and envy. That is a difficult emotion/sin to overcome and therefore, very rarely spoken of… thank you Pastor Sun Hui East for posting this type of help for people. I can tell you are walking with the Lord, it is evident after reading your blog.
I have found myself after a victory wanting to take a break. It is good to be reminded to fight the good fight all the way to the end of our life. Thank You Pastor Sun East
King David was such a man of God! I have tried to pattern my life after his good example. He knew the power of running to God even after a huge mistake.
Good message, very true. It is in the scripture.
I need to be more aware of how short life really is, I think I lose perspective and keep myself focused on today.
Very helpful teaching on how to overcome jealousy. I do not want to suffer from that, despite my tendency to do so…
I appreciate my mother asking me to read this blog each week. I high school, there is a lot of jealousy and I do not want to be like them.
Amen
Good post, makes me feel convicted to pray for my family.
Praise God! Jesus is the victor and satan is the loser! Satan’s ending is the lake of fire, Jesus’s ending is eternal glory! I’m far from perfect but in Christ I want a good ending. I must forgive and I must repent Quickly! We all make mistakes but we must overcome. Yes,in Jesus a good ending.
This message is so right, Ive seen so many people start well in their faith and then not make it.
Great message Pastor Sun. God’s word says …”be faithful until death.” You show us how God wants us to live our lives to the very end.