For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:16
Think about the transformation that the risen Lord Jesus brought about in the life of James. He discussed bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in the New Testament letter he wrote. Perhaps these things had plagued him for years.
Maybe you know what that is like. God has blessed your sister or your brother with gifts that were not given to you. When the family gathers, it is your brother or sister who gets all the attention. They have all the stories, and they get all the praise.
So you steel yourself. You say, “I’m not going to let it get to me.” But it does. What God gave to someone else locks up your heart, and you feel jealous.
Wouldn’t you like to be free from that dark power that grips your heart? James says, “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy” (3:17). How blessed would you be if you were set free and your heart became pure, peaceable, and gentle, open to reason, and full of mercy?
If, like James, you gave up the agenda of showing yourself to the world, and you truly became a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, you would be free from jealousy and selfish ambition. And the good fruit of purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy would begin to grow in your heart.
Whose gifts and blessings seem to mock your ambition and feed your jealousy? Would you like to be free of this dark power?
