Let him who is without condemnation cast the first stone

Recently I’ve been reflecting a bit more on friendship and how we get on with people. For those of you that know me I hope you will agree that I am the sort of person that gets along with everyone. I’m pleased that I have been blessed with this ability but I have to tell you that its not always that easy. Through thinking about the friendships I struggle with the most I realised that these are mainly caused by me being jealous in some way or another. Whether prettier or more popular, smarter or more confident my friends often possess qualities I desire and this, through my own distorted feelings of self worth, leads to jealousy. Once I realised that jealousy was the root of my problems I began thinking about where it comes from and what breeds it. In Galatians 5 it says we are to live by the spirit and that jealousy comes from our sinful desires. This supports my initial ideas that we need to admit when we are jealous, give our jealousy to God and let the holy spirit work in us to overcome it. Paul also comments in Philippians that he has learned the secret of being content in all situations and later on that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (phil 4v11-13) this has been the single most often quoted verse for me over the last year. To be quite honest this perfectly demonstrates my inadequacy and the need for Christ in my life. Now if I have a problem in a friendship or a relationship is struggling I will seek commit it to prayer, consider the problem within myself and try to understand my part in the problem. Then, most importantly, I can move forward with the strength that Christ Jesus provides. Yes this may be easier aid than done but by pointing at other people we often fail to look at ourselves and our internal problems. In the program ‘8 simple rules’ (I don’t know the episode exactly) it is said that every time you point at someone there are three fingers pointing back at you. This is also biblically correct as it is mentioned Mathew 7:3 why do you see the speck in your brothers eye and fail to see the plank in your own

I pray that after reading this you will take time to look at your own friendships and see if there are any troubled by your own jealousy.

(hehe you should also listen to the children’s song about Mathew 7:3 by Doug Horely, but that’s just cos I like the song I don’t think it will hugely influence spiritual growth).