James (W7D3) The Consequences of Selfish Envy
Week 7. Wednesday: The Consequences of Selfish Envy
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: James 3:16
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
Envy and selfish ambition: The root cause of envy and selfish ambition is discontent and a desire to have more. Our culture fuels discontentment by constantly reminding us of what we don’t have. As a result, we spend the majority of our lives working to get things we don’t need to impress people we don’t really know. Jesus taught us not to focus on earthly treasures or worry about what the world runs after (Matthew 6:19-34).
Disorder (Greek: akatastasia): This refers to a constant state of instability, disturbance, and confusion. Envy and selfishness always lead to chaos. It keeps us in a state of constant struggle and pain. This is not how God intends for us to live. God is not the author of confusion and disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Every evil practice (Greek: pas phaulos pragma): Envy and selfishness not only leads to disorder but also to wickedness. When we are jealous and selfish we will do things that dishonor God and others.
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
How can envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and evil?
What negative consequences have you experienced from being jealous or selfish?
PRAY: Ask God to help you be content and satisfied in Him.
