"For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.”
As I read this today I couldn't help but see the importance of being connected; first to God, then to a local church. I say this because, when we try and live life on our own all sorts of things fill our mind. We need to remember to seek wisdom from the Lord and continue to fellowship with people trying to seek wisdom as well. With that kind of attention and having people in our life that can challenge and speak the word to us, the chance for jealousy and selfish - ambition is less. Selfish - ambition comes when we start thinking we have to be the best and we think we need to do whatever we need to get that done.
Knowing the word can help us when our mind goes astray. We are told to love our neighbor as our self, and do to others what you would like them to do to you. We are also told in Philippians chapter 2 verse 3, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” This wisdom also covers us from jealousy which has no part in our lives as we surrender our will for God's. Verse 4 goes on to say, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” When this is done we see how relationships help us and the success of others fills us and doesn't stir up jealousy in us. (Which is in all of us somewhere in our flesh)
I love how James ends chapter 3 with verses 17-18 which say, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” This is the opposite of what our flesh is telling us sometimes. Hearing what the Fathers says and working on doing His instructions is key to us living and loving without thinking of ways to step on someone to get to the top. Jealousy and selfish ambition will torment us and keep us driven on the things of the world. We need to have goals and pursue to get better but in that work we need to understand that we can't do it without Jesus as our Lord. Our mind works in mysterious ways and when we are not feeding on His word we will feed on the world which is like eating all fatty fried foods. Our mind will tell us they taste good when in fact it is all crap.
James goes on to say in chapter 4 verses 3-4, “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” Fix your eyes on God and keep others in your mind seeking ways to love and then our heart will be full of what Christ is showing and the Holy Spirit will be a guide we love to hear and He will lead us to ALL truth. Amen