Proverbs 27:4

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about jealousy: 

Proverbs 27:4 (NASV)

Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,

But who can stand before jealousy?

Proverbs 27:4 (ESV)

Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,

but who can stand before jealousy?

Hidden sin and non-visible attitudes are the worst.  That is why "passive-agressive" behavior is worse than "aggressive" behavior.  Perhaps I should not write, "worse," as they both are cruel.   But, aggressive behavior can be dealt with.  When someone hits you, or yells at you, or throws something at you, you at least know something is wrong.  You can hit the deck, take shelter, develop thicker skin and, even better, seek reconciliation.  The aggression assures knowledge of a problem.  But, attitudes of the heart, that don't have immediate visible manifestations, are very dangerous and alarming.   That is what Solomon is talking about in the above proverb.   Wrath, however fierce; and anger, no matter how harsh, are like a torrent of rushing water.  But each provide a knowledge of a way for us to escape.  But, jealousy is a hidden attitude.   Jealousy is cruel.   It causes conflict, more than likely , unknown, to the victim.   It separates people.   It devalues each person, but, primarily the one who is jealous.   One of the commandments given on the mountain to Moses was, "Thou shalt not covet."   God knew the dangers to each person when covetousness or jealously are within the heart.   No one can stand before something they can’t see.   But, jealousy doesn’t just torment the object of the jealousy. It also corrupts the one who is jealous.   Note what Solomon already told us in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 6:34 (ESV)

34 For jealousy makes a man furious,

and he will not spare when he takes revenge.

Proverbs 14:30 (ESV)

30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,

but envy makes the bones rot.

Jealousy impacts other areas of our lives.   When we work with people who are jealous of another, we must see that they are inviting a fury into their hearts.   They are causing a pain all the way to their bones.   In the book of Ecclesiastes we have a dissertation from Solomon as he conducted a deep dive about work, riches sex and other pursuits of this life.  He was the richest man on earth at the time, according to God’s Word.  He could afford to pursue anything.   He was also, however, a man full of wisdom.  His conclusion about all of man’s achievement?  Note:

Ecclesiastes 4:4 (ESV)

4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

That is quite a statement.   I doubt if most people would agree that their work and toil and desire for skill comes from “envy of his neighbor.”   I probably would not say that in a speaking setting.   Whether someone agrees with God’s Word on this case (and the extent of Solomon’s words), we must agree with at least one piece:  Jealously does something to the one who is holding jealousy in his/her heart.   We would do well to confess it and repent from it. We would do well to spot it quickly in our organizations.   Yes, wrath and anger are undesirable in our lives and organization.  But, jealousy, is by far a greater threat and causes deeper damage.   Unseen damage.