COMPETITIVE JEALOUSY

DAY 18/366

Reference: 1 Samuel 18:6-9, 19:1-7

Sporting events of all kinds are called competitions because different people pitch their strengths against one another to emerge as winners. However, the dimension of competition we explore today is “competitive jealousy”, which we see expressed in Saul’s actions towards David.

It all began with praise from the people:

"Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands"(18:7)

From these words, Saul perceived  David as a threat to his throne. His response: he personally attempted to kill him with a spear on three occasions, he sent him on tasks that would endanger his life, even using his own daughter, Michal, as bait. He dared to ask anyone: attendants, soldiers and his own son Jonathan, to kill David.

The spirit of competitive jealousy has a way of causing a person to act as though they were blind, and thus assume the stance of “win against them at all costs”. Hence, to win,  employ every strategy that works, even if it is wrong because only the win matters in the end.

People can cheat, steal, destroy, threaten, maim or kill just to win. However, if that is the price to pay for the crown you desire to wear [fame, love, wealth,power,honour], then it’s too expensive. It’s not worth paying.

#sly