Proverbs. 26:25 When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.

      Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. I find it interesting that even Satan cannot resist the presence of God. Why does he show up to present himself before God when everything in his heart is only hate? We see Satan showing up on another occasion to accuse a man in front of God. Zech. 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. Again, in Job 2:1 Satan presents himself before God and in his flawed character starts bad mouthing Job.  
      Why is Satan hanging around so much when he has nothing but venomous hatred for God and His created beings? I believe Satan is possessed with jealousy for the attention that God lavishes on us – his most prized human beings. This unwavering attention that God has for His people is the desire of Satan’s darkened heart. He wants what we have. God’s doting love and attention to everything we say and do drives Satan to envious jealousy that is so palatable it manifests in Satan’s demonic stupidity.
      The devil is so blinded by his own jealousy that he can’t even take a hint when the Lord Himself uses His own name to rebuke him. Zech. 3:2a And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee. Even after this – in your face rebuke – the devil’s need to be seen and heard of God still drives him. This makes me wonder how magnificent God really is. It makes me think of how profound and affected we become once we have met and known God in person.
       Way back when, in times past, when the devil overplayed his hand by trying to take over God the Father’s realm, he sealed his future forever. Satan became an unapologetic pathological self-absorbed liar. Prov. 26:25 When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart. Since then the devil has spent his entire existence trying to get back to the forefront of God’s presence. I think the devil believes his own importance; otherwise, why would he be so jealous of us – the human race? I think it’s because we were created in God’s image, but Satan was not. Gen. 1:26a And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. 
      Pride enveloped Lucifer’s identity because his name meant bearer of light. The irony of ironies after his sinful act of treason, he became the bearer of anything but light, even though he comes and presents himself as an angel of light. 2 Cor. 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. His grasp on reality was lost to the jealousy that controlled him. 
      He wanted to own God’s kingdom and be as beautiful as the infinite beauty of God Himself. Isa. 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
      Human jealousy will cause people to do horrific things. How much more will demonic jealousy affect an angelic being who has seen and tasted the good things of God, but now has no part in God’s eternal plan except to be thrown into a dark and Godless existence. Rev. 20:10 The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
      The next time you are feeling jealous about another person’s life, remember that Satan is trying to give you part of his own character so he can fight you on a level plane. We were created in the image of God, and through Christ, we have the right and authority to cast out the devil and resist him in all that we do in the name of Jesus. A serpent’s jealousy does not belong to us, so don’t take it home with you. Rather, take the blood of our savior Jesus, and be washed clean of all sin including jealousy. Blessings to us all.