We want what is ours and we become jealous whenever we feel our precious is in danger of being lost. Of course, this might stem from our own insecurities and no real threat is present. Our fear of loss has simply caused us to become overprotective. But this doesn’t mean jealousy is never justified. Jealousy is an expression of love when it seeks to protect and guard the sanctity of our relationships.
To be sure, jealousy often gets a bad wrap. It’s generally seen as selfish and controlling – a negative emotion to avoid. But perhaps surprisingly, God says his very name is Jealous, because he is a jealous God. He expects to be our top priority with no other gods before him. We are called by his name and we should bear it faithfully. God is jealous for his reputation and doesn’t want how we live to bear false witness to his divine nature.
The jealousy here is protective – seeking to keep safe what’s true, good, and holy. And it’s this jealousy we should emulate as well.
While naturally this includes sexual jealousy that safeguards the sanctity of our marriage bed, it’s also being jealous for our wife and kids – standing against any influence that steals their hearts away from God’s best. For example, this would call for a strict scrutiny concerning the entertainment, education, and relationships they are exposed to. This is not to micromanage or to merely push our preferences, but a way to be jealous for them as God is for us. We want what’s best for them and our jealousy then serves as an alert system – bringing our attention to possible areas of compromise.
In the end, jealousy at its best is not fueled by insecurity or fear, but rather a heart of love that seeks to protect what is holy and good.
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash
