James 3:14-15(ESV)
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
The greatest enemy of man’s destiny is to have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts. James reminds us today that where there is envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice. Jealousy and selfish ambition are all sin and they are not characteristics of a Christian rather, it shows that you are still being controlled by your own desires and the devil. Galatians 5:26 says, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” The more you focus on yourself and your own desire, the less you are able to focus on God. When you harden your heart to the truth, you cannot turn to Jesus and allow Him to heal you. James 3:13-18 identifies two categories of wisdom: the earthly wisdom and the wisdom which is from above.
In today’s world, you wonder if some are really called of God. They are full of the worldly wisdom and will do everything to bring true believers down for their selfish interests. Many are filled with jealousy and selfish ambition and they expect God to answer their demonic and unspiritual desires. No! What you are looking for is not going to come from abroad but from above. 1 Corinthians 3:3 says “for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” There are many signs which indicate a Christian is still in the flesh, one of which is jealousy. It opens the door to strife, and when strife is fully grown, it brings about divisions and disagreement. Believers who allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in their lives will experience various categories of joy and peace on every side. However the worldly wisdom carries the red signal of: bitterness, envy, strife in the hearts, shame and lies, sensual and devilish tendencies, confusion and evil work. The carrier of these inglorious attributes of the flesh and the devil, can never experience joy. They will rather experience sorrow and hardships. Believers have right to joy instead of sorrow and peace instead of war. These rights are conferred on them through the Holy Spirit.
Beloved, in order to combat jealousy, you need to become more like Jesus and less like ourselves, by doing this, you will become a Heaven-bound Christian who is mature and not carnal. Allow God to work in your heart and in your relationships by laying down your own ambitions and trust in Him. Today, grow in Christian virtues by meditating on things that are truthful, honest, just, pure and lovely. Through the help of the Holy Spirit you can experience and manifest true joy and peace and not exhibit the envy and jealousy.
O Lord, help me to live a life of humility, love and to continually see that only in Your love and grace will I find true happiness and peace in Jesus’ Name.