Jealousy and rivalry

Description

Derek Prince lists jealousy among the negative emotions and attitudes with which a corresponding spirit may be associated. He draws attention especially to the situation in which jealousy ceases to be a passing experience, becomes persistent and compulsive, and begins to occupy a significant place in a person’s life.

Frank and Ida Mae Hammond identify a JEALOUSY group, with which they also associate envy, suspicion, distrust, and selfishness. In their teaching, jealousy and rivalry can lead to conflict and division, including among believers.

Scripture shows the seriousness of this problem in the words: “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). Jealousy that is cultivated begins to affect the way a person sees others. They increasingly compare themselves with them, watch their relationships, position, success, or influence, and experience another person’s good as something that diminishes their own worth.

From this may develop suspicion, distrust, rivalry, and difficulty rejoicing in another person’s good. Situations in which someone else receives attention, recognition, or a place that the person themselves desired can become especially painful. In relationships this may lead to tension and conflict, and in a church community also to a struggle for significance or influence.

The Hammonds point out that jealousy may be connected with experiences reaching back into earlier periods of life. In this context they mention rejection, insecurity, inferiority, and lack of love. They particularly point to a connection between jealousy and envy, on the one hand, and rejection and the absence of mutual love that gives a person a sense of security, on the other.

In such a state, a person may try to obtain through rivalry what they lack internally: recognition, a sense of worth, priority, or assurance of their own place. Jealousy then begins to fuel further reactions — comparison, suspicion, distrust, and a selfish struggle for attention or position.

The path to freedom begins with naming jealousy and ceasing to justify it. Prince leads through confession of sin, repentance, forgiveness, and turning away from what has been recognized as evil. Where jealousy is connected with earlier rejection, wounding, or rivalry, forgiveness toward people connected with those experiences may also be needed.

If a spiritual influence of jealousy and of the envy, suspicion, distrust, or selfishness connected with it is discerned, agreement with that activity can be renounced and those spirits can be commanded to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.

A continuing response is to consciously reject recurring jealousy, give up comparison and rivalry, and choose love, gratitude, and blessing the good that God gives to others.

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice.”
James 3:16

Sources

Derek Prince — “How to Recognize and Expel Demons”; “How Hidden Forces Impact Your Life”; “Steps for Deliverance”.

Frank and Ida Mae Hammond — “Pigs in the Parlor” — the JEALOUSY group and teaching concerning jealousy, envy, suspicion, distrust, and rivalry.