Tag Archives: personality

The Envy of Cain

When envy is present within the hearts and minds of individuals, jealousy usually isn’t far off.  Envy and jealousy often feed off of one another breeding the other feeling.  Envy arises deep inside the human soul, aroused by someone else’s material possessions, personality or unique gifts resulting in a spirit of discontent and resentment.  On the other  hand, jealousy is the emotion one experiences when someone thinks they are about to be replaced by the flavor of the month, leading to apprehension and fear.  This is where you find Cain within the pages of Genesis 4.

Cain was the prized baby, the first born boy on planet earth.  As an infant, his mom and dad waited on every cry and whimper.  Like modern parents returning from a hospital, both are clueless, not sure how to handle or respond to this new creature who has entered their life.  As for Cain, every thing was peachy keen until Abel arrived onto the scene.  Cain was now longer the main attraction, forced to share time with his baby brother.  If this wasn’t enough to bear, Cain realized how much harder farming was compared to shepherding, Abel’s occupation.  Then, God had to go and play favorites, rejecting Cain’s weak offering, but extremely pleased by the fat portions brought by Abel, Genesis 4:3-5.  These ingredients conceived the envy of Cain.

Before I studied the definitions of envy and jealousy, I never imagined either of these 2 acts of the sinful nature, Galatians 5:19-21, stirred inside my heart.  However, as I read the numerous definitions and examples of each on the internet, I saw signs of the envy of Cain within me.  Whether you are a coach, teacher or hard working employee, there is always someone quicker, smarter and more appealing than you.  Thus, you need to learn to be content in the areas God has gifted you.  If you don’t, you are giving the devil an open door for the envy of Cain to reside within you, Ephesians 4:25-27.  Therefore, lean on the the grace, forgiveness and mercy of God to purge yourself of any traces of envy or jealousy.

by Jay Mankus

Barriers to Living a Normal Life

Whether someone wants to admit it or not, every individual has 3 distinct aspects to their life.  According to Dr. Ed Murphy, not the comedian, each person has strengths, limitations and flaws.  These strengths can include gifts, intelligence, personality and special talents.  However, when you allow these positive attributes to go to your head, pride can negate or derail any hopes of living a normal life.  As soon as a spirit of haughtiness enters your soul, your mind can balloon to disproportionate heights, creating a wall of separation between you and most of your true friends.

Meanwhile, limitations are created within you by God to prompt you to learn how to work as a team with other people, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.  If you have ever seen an episode of the reality television show Survivor, a few leader type personalities usually clash, attempting to gain control over the entire tribe.  While the followers in the group get behind the person who least offends them, communication barriers are built within a day or 2 of their arrival.  This friction often gnaws away any glimmers of faith or trust within the tribe, creating a dysfunctional living atmosphere from the outset.

Finally, each male and female born onto this earth has a unique collection of flaws.  These weak areas of the flesh are where individuals are most vulnerable to the temptations of the Devil.  One may be easily seduced by sex, another is prone to drink themselves into oblivion, some may allow curiosity to lead them to experiment with drugs and still others let envy influence them to steal.  Whenever you feed these sinful desires, isolation impedes any progress you have made to quench these urges.  Like a monster inside of you, these flaws cripple your ability to have stable meaningful relationships in life.

Despite the power these barriers have on hindering your ability to have a normal life, there is hope and answers to break through to the other side.  First, you need to come to grips with who you are and why you were created?  According to the Old Testament, God created each person to praise Him, Psalm 150:6.  In addition, 2 Corinthians 5:21 contains a clue to our identity in Christ.  Once this connection is made and embraced, people can begin to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25.  As you begin to take steps of faith, the Bible provides light for our feet, to guide the way toward good decision making, Psalm 119:105.  When darkness sets in along the narrow path of life, Matthew 7:14, become an active participant so that those going in the wrong direction can be stopped before its too late.  The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few, Matthew 9:36-38, so get involved in 2013!

by Jay Mankus