11 Feb Winning the War on Envy

Journal Reflection of Day 3 (10th February 2017)

“Don’t compare yourself to other people. If you do so you are just insulting yourself.” – Taylor Swift

“When we are being critical in ministry, or pick on other people, it’s often not because of something they said —it’s because of envy.” – Dr. Lance Wallnau

They came to John and said, “Rabbi, you know the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan? The one you authorized with your witness? Well, he’s now competing with us. He’s baptizing, too, and everyone’s going to him instead of us.” – John 3:26

The disciples of John were full of jealousy.

The disciples of John were jealous! They were distressed that the disciples of Jesus were more successful than they were. We are told of many ‘one another’s in the scriptures.

But we were never told to compete with one another. Interestingly, while the disciples of John see it as a competition, John saw as a completion.

John the Baptist was full of joy.

I love John the Baptist’s reply here: “No one can have anything unless God gives it. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ The bridegroom is the one to whom the bride belongs; but the bridegroom’s friend, who stands by and listens, is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This is how my own happiness is made complete. He must become more important while I become less important.”

I love it that John the Baptist found so much joy in the voice of God! The voice of God helps me to shut up the noise of envy and jealousy.

Hear the voice of the Spirit-filled John the Baptist,

“He must become more important while I become less important.”

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church