R.T. Kendall - Jealousy--The Sin No One Talks about: How to Overcome Envy and Live a Life of Freedom

I believe R. T. Kendall has exposed two major strongholds in the body of Christ today: unforgiveness and jealousy. In his book Total Forgiveness, Dr. Kendall sheds light on the sin of unforgiveness and shows us how to get free from its crippling effects. In his new book jealousy-the Sin No One Talks About, he explains the subtlety of this sin and how we can just pass over it thinking we could never have an issue with it. The truths in these books are vital for every Christian. These two issues must be dealt with if we are going to move on in the power of the Holy Spirit.

-RICKY SKAGGS

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING RECORDING ARTIST

Dr. Kendall has exposed and dissected a most potent enemy of our contentment, and in doing so he has given new insight into recognizing and fighting jealousy.

-JOHN H. DIXON JR., MD

CARDIOLOGIST AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

As a professional comedian/illusionist I can tell you that the entertainment industry is a strange one; you are so often judged on how good you are compared with others. So for me, jealousy is always lurking somewhere around the corner or usually right on my back. I guess it is for all of us, so at last someone is speaking about it and how to deal with it! RT manages to unpack the whole issue so well and so clearly. Intelligent, precise, at times witty, and always insightful-I started to wish I had written it.

-JOHN ARCHER

COMEDIAN AND MAGICIAN

RT's style is to take a single topic, classify it, and explore all its ins and outs until he gets to the bottom of it. He has done it again.

-DR. MICHAEL EATON

NAIROBI, KENYA

How to kill jealousy and be the better for it! RT has successfully exposed both the cause and cure of arguably one of the most damaging influences in the history of the church and the world.

-COLIN DYE

SENIOR MINISTER, KENSINGTON TEMPLE LONDON, ENGLAND

RT hits a bull's-eye again! We neglect this message at our peril.

-LYNDON BOWRING

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, CARE, UK

With a dynamic combination of personal disclosure, biblical depth, and Monday-morning application, RT delivers a stunning challenge in this page-turner. Vital and life changing-so buy it.

-JEFF LUCAS

AUTHOR, SPEAKER, BROADCASTER

R.T. KENDALL

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PART I ORIGINAL JEALOUSY

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PART 11 How GOD USES JEALOUSY TO PREPARE US

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PART III PARANOID JEALOUSY

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PART IV OVERCOMING JEALOUSY

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HAT DO You think of when you hear the word jealousy? The spectacularly over-the-top reaction of some character in a TV soap to a frustrated romance? Your neighbor's envious scowl at the neighbor's new patio? Your colleague's snarls and mutters over a rival's promotion? It may even be that nothing much comes to mind. After all, as my friend R. T. Kendall wisely says in his title, jealousy is "the sin that no one talks about." But trust me, jealousy is big in our world, and it's more infectious, more widespread, and more subtle than we imagine. Whether it focuses on the status, lifestyle, relationship, house, or even looks of others, jealousy is all too common. In an age that puts sports personalities, film stars, and even church leaders on pedestals and labels them as celebrities and stars, it should be no surprise that many of us often find ourselves looking upward with envy. Jealousy can be triggered by an overheard phrase. You know the sort of thing: "We'll have two weeks in the Maldives next summer." "Ran that ten kilometers in under forty-five minutes." "The doctor called me at home for my advice." It can be triggered by a mere glimpse, perhaps a new car, a smart outfit, or someone sitting in the boss's office sharing confidences. It is everywhere.

So why do we overlook jealousy? There are many reasons. Perhaps we think that we are immune because we are too smart: jealousy is the sin of others. Think again. The three great Renaissance artists Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci were, notwithstanding their skill, all bitterly jealous of each other. In the sciences, the physicist Isaac Newton was a profoundly jealous man and so loathed the distinguished scientist Gottfried Leibniz that, for decades, Newton would not miss an opportunity to depict him as a liar, thief, and impostor. The great actor John Gielgud was once asked about jealousy. "I don't really know what jealousy is," he answered, before correcting himself. "Oh, yes, I do! I remember! When Larry [Lawrence] Olivier had a success as Hamlet, I wept."' In all probability, jealousy is not "the sin of others" but one we have slipped into. Reading this thoughtful and thought-provoking book should persuade you that no one (least of all a church leader) is immune to jealousy. Indeed, I suspect that at some time or another we are all jealous of the success or good fortune of others. If we are fortunate, the jealousy will be a passing phase; if unfortunate, it may blight the rest of our lives.