In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul lists the works of the flesh- sexual sins (3), misdirected worships (2), breakdown in relationships (8) and excesses (2). Broken relationships dominate his concerns.
The flesh here is not a reference to the body or to sex but rather to an unredeemed, alienated body- a body that is not filled with the Spirit of God. Such bodies “act out” their alienation from God through anti-social behaviors: Hatred, discord (engagement in competitive rivalries) , jealousy (wishing I was who you are and had what you have), fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, and envies (multiple desires to deprive others of what they have.) (vs. 20-21)
Maybe jealousy goes under the radar more than the other noisier community destroyers. Jealousy-wishing “ I was who you are and had what you have” lurks quietly, eating away at our organic togetherness. Jealousy grows in confused, competitive hearts. But are we in competition with each other? If our identity is the Body of Christ we live like all healthy bodies, to cooperate, not compete. Bodies of Christ mobilize hundreds of extravagantly gifted disciples to cooperate and embrace their interdependence for the common good.
For example I am a high profile preacher who stands up in front of hundreds of people to preach every week. I am what my wife Donna calls “the talking head.” Yet am I more important or more significant than any other member of the body? I am not. In fact I am utterly helpless except for all the members of the body with their gifts of mercy, helps, prophesy, administration, tongues, prayer, service, praise and on and on. I am a member of the body of Christ who is utterly destitute apart from the hundreds of members of the body who make the church a real functioning body- a family of God on earth. None of us are super stars but rather point guards who exist to make everybody else better! Competition is out. Cooperation is in and indescribably fruitful.
We are all saved by grace and empowered for service by gifts of grace. As we live in the body we realize all of us live and breathe for the common good. We celebrate our little contributions to the common good and celebrate all of the other precious members who share their gifts for the common good. As we live together in the Spirit the “desire to be who you are and have what you have” is worked out of us, replaced by gratitude for our gifts and our place in the body. Jealousy dies. Contentment flourishes. God is glorified!