This is the law of jealousy, when a wife while under her husband’s authority, goes astray and defiles herself, or when the spirit of jealousy comes upon a man and he becomes jealous of his wife; then he shall stand the woman before the Lord…’ – Numbers 5:29-30
Jealousy is a [natural] tendency to feel sad or unhappy when someone you love [such as your husband or your wife] is attracted to or is liked by someone else.
The Word of God does permit what is called ‘godly jealousy’, which is the jealousy of a husband over his wife and vice versa. This is because marriage is a covenant between both of them and God does not desire or expect that any of them would breach their marriage covenant. ‘For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.’ – 2 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV
[bctt tweet=”The Word of God does permit what is called ‘godly jealousy’, which is the jealousy of a husband over his wife and vice versa. #WeAreOne” username=”AngelaLowe20″]
What Provokes Jealousy?
‘Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.’ – Proverbs 6:32-34
False suspicion or assumption is one of the things that brings in [unhealthy] jealousy into a marriage relationship. The devil often likes to throw thoughts or mental pictures of infidelity at a husband or wife in his bid to cause unnecessary suspicions and sow discord between couples [especially Christian marriages.] The devil hates godly unity, so he tries to cause problems and division wherever and whenever he can.
Infidelity [unfaithfulness to one’s marital-covenant partner] also provokes jealousy. When a husband cheats on his wife, or a wife cheats on her husband, this will surely provoke jealousy because one [or both] of them acted contrary to the laws of the marriage covenant.
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The Effects of Jealousy
Distrust and loss of affection: Jealousy causes couples to lose trust and love for one another. It causes their love to grow cold. This is the devil’s wish because he knows that God cannot bless a home where there’s a lack of affection for each other and the bond of love is missing.
Divorce: Jealousy also leads to divorce especially when the guilty party refuses to own up, repent before God and ask his wife’s forgiveness and clean up his life. This is one of the reasons why many couples end up divorcing each other.
Murder: Jealousy could also lead to murder, especially when the cheated spouse is easily provoked to anger and violence. There have been husbands and wives who stabbed or shot their partners to death simply because of jealousy.
[bctt tweet=”The effects of jealousy include distrust, divorce, and murder. #jealousyistheroot#releasejealousy” username=”AngelaLowe20″]
Samson’s Jealousy and Fury
The Bible shows us through Samson’s life that jealousy that [tends towards destruction] is rooted in the fleshly nature of man. ‘Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery… jealousies…outbursts of wrath… selfish ambitions…’ – Galatians 5:19,20 NKJV. The fleshly or fallen nature, which is always focused on self-gratification, is a stronghold of jealousy. Samson had left his wife for his father’s house because his wife had been used by Samson’s groomsmen to get the answer to a riddle Samson had given to them. He later returns to her to find that his father-in-law had given her to another man. ‘After a while, in the time of wheat harvest, it happened that Samson visited his wife with a young goat. And he said, “Let me go in to my wife, into her room.” But her father would not allow him to go in. Her father said, “I really thought that you thoroughly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister better than she? Please, take her instead.’’ – Judges 15:1,2.
Samson ends up getting angry and in his jealousy, he burns up the farms, olive groves and vineyards of the whole area. The spirit of jealousy opens the door to [the spirit of] anger and of destruction.
The Spirit of Jealousy Comes
Jealousy starts as an attitude but if unchecked, it will attract demon spirits to fuel it and make it ‘louder’ than it actually is. It is easy for a spirit of jealousy to take over when one’s refuses to check his or her emotions during times of disagreement and misunderstanding between married couples. Demons are always on the lookout to possess or influence people who live in the flesh and cannot control their emotions, anger, appetites and sexual drive.
[bctt tweet=”Jealousy sounds louder than it really is! #HeisMoreThanEnough#HisPeople” username=”AngelaLowe20″]
The Signs of a Spirit of Jealousy
i. Possessiveness: When a wife or husband is overly possessive, and does not usually ‘feel safe’ when the partner is away, such a one is open to the spirit of jealousy, and might easily be provoked to anger at the slightest opportunity.
ii. Angry or accusing words: When an opposite sex is around one’s spouse and the person starts nagging at his or her spouse, this is a sign that the spirit of jealousy might be at the door!
Wisdom Keys to Effectively Get Rid of a Spirit of Jealousy
1. Get alone with God and ask the Holy Spirit for help. This is important if you find you are under the influence of this spirit, or if you find you are open to the spirit of jealousy and are [usually] easily provoked to destructive anger or violence. You might resolve never to act rashly and determine never to allow the enemy throw thoughts of suspicion and infidelity at you, but you’ll never be able to achieve them without the help of the Holy Spirit.
2. Helping someone whom [you are sure] is negatively influenced by this spirit will require that you make earnest intercession for such a person. As you do this, the Spirit of God who knows where the real problem is, will help such a one and deliver him from the spirit of jealousy.
3. If you’re able to discern that it is a case of demon-possession, then take up your authority as God’s son and bind the spirit. Take it a step further and cast it out in Jesus name.
[bctt tweet=”The Holy Spirit is here to help you! #walkinfaith #HolySpirit” username=”AngelaLowe20″]
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Angela Lowe, MS. Ed., LPC
Angela Lowe is a licensed Professional Counselor, trained Biblical Counselor and certified Holistic Health Coach. Her kingdom mandate is to restore God’s counsel to transform lives, marriages, and churches worldwide.
Wonderful post on spirit of jealousy as also effects and help to overcome.