Galatians 5:22-26, NKJV
The church is not to walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. We must manifest spiritual lives, bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit. Love is the remedy to keep out jealousy and resentment. Love encourages and edifies. It is the first characteristic of God of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (v.22), gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (v.23). And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (v.24). If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (v.25). Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (v.26).”
Children of God have been crucified with Christ. He lives in us, and this life we are now living in the flesh is by faith in Him, who loved us and gave His life for us. The attitudes of jealousy and resentment are sinful acts of nature. They stir up evil intentions – desiring what someone else has, control of another, abuse, threat of violence, and etc.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother was angry because the father threw a welcome home celebration for the younger brother. The father came out and pleaded with his older son, but he refused to go in and join the celebration. His position was that he had always faithfully and obediently served his father but was never given him a young goat so he and his friends could celebrate. His attitude showed bitter jealousy toward his brother; he didn’t acknowledge him as his brother – “…this son of yours, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots…” He accused his father of showing favoritism – “…you killed the fatted calf for him” (Luke 15:30). He resented his younger brother for returning home and the father for graciously receiving him back. Do not become conceited like the older son. You may not have left the Father – so you think, but you are carrying jealousy and resentment around. One day it will surface. When you love, you must forgive. Let go; you have life through the Spirit. Do not allow jealousy and resentment to snuff out your life. Remember, you are the church.