Why Do People Like Popularity
This question was submitted by Selena from Louisburg, NC
Well I’m not that popular, but I’m happy for who I am and that’s all that matters. And yeah, I’m jealous a little bit so does it matter?
For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
2 Corinthians 12:20, ESV
Why Jealousy Matters
A Response from Heather Hart
I think it’s awesome that you are happy just the way that you are. I think that’s what God truly wants for us, to be content no matter what the circumstances (Philippians 4:11). Last Sunday at church, our pastor preached about belonging. To really feel like you belong somewhere or with someone is a great feeling. It’s something God created us for. I think that’s why people crave popularity. They just want to feel like they belong.
As far as the jealousy goes, when Paul wrote to the Galatians, he included jealousy as one of the works of the flesh (5:19-21). And when he wrote to the Corinthians, he said he was afraid that when he came he would find jealousy among them (2 Cor. 12:20). In fact, another word for jealous is covetous, or to covet. That’s the last of the ten commandments. You shall not covet. So jealousy really is a pretty big deal to God.
Romans 13:13 says, “Let us behave decently…not in dissension and jealousy.”
I think the reason the Bible keeps repeating this theme is because God is love. And 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love doesn’t envy (another word for being jealous). Jealousy is such a big deal because when we are jealous of others, we aren’t loving them the way God wants us to. Instead of being happy and celebrating their popularity, blessings, or whatever, we are stuck on ourselves.
I want to leave you with a few verses found in Philippians 2. It says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (verses 3-4)
