A CURE FOR JEALOUSY by Jos. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1867

A CURE FOR JEALOUSY.

By Jos. Clarke

“SPEAK not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James iv, 11.

To the truly humble, teachable soul, the words of inspiration, when fully comprehended and set home to the heart by the Spirit of God, prove a savor of life and salvation. But the work of purification is not accomplished in an instant. As the Christian moves forward in the divine life, daily striving for victory, he is sensible, that at times, he receives especial assistance; and at such times, light breaks in upon his mind with unwonted power.

In the words quoted at the beginning of this article from the apostle James, there is a mine of wealth for jealous minds, yet unexplored by the evil-surmiser, and evil-speaker; for such are all those who encourage a spirit of jealousy. The man who surmises that a thing is true, and upon this evidence condemns his neighbor, is the one who makes himself a judge of the law; that is, assumes the place of God, thus placing himself in the same position with the Pope, who arrogates to himself divine authority.

It may to some appear to be a small thing to crucify his dearest and nearest friends, upon the cross of jealousy and mistrust; but every Christian, when he sees that an indulgence of this passion is a heinous sin, in fact, that the jealous person does assume the prerogative which belongs to God alone,—we say the Christian will hastily flee from so dangerous a position.

Another prominent consideration is this: the jealous person is the one above all others most unfit to judge, and yet of all he is most inclined to blindly and rashly take the judge’s seat. Where the candid man would doubt, the jealous mind is already decided to condemn.

Certain it is, that no one should encourage jealousy at this moment. This is not watchfulness. No; sooner set wolves as shepherd dogs to guard the flock, than allow the gangrene of jealousy to infect the watchful and careful head.

The Christian whose diseased mind has been afflicted with the spirit of jealousy, and this fed by dyspeptic fires, finds in the practice of temperance and purity, much strength; and in the idea that by indulging his gloomy suspicions, he is assuming the divine prerogatives, he will have food for reflection and thought. The little debates, decisions and conclusions of the mind, silently made and carried on from day to day, are what decide our characters and destinies for time and eternity. And this is not the result of last year’s labor, or the preceding, but our characters are the result of a life-long education and practice. Have we, then, any time to lose? Shall we not exclude every sin? JOS. CLARKE.