"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. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
A common practice of defining a topic or subject is to examine its complete antithesis. James uses this strategy to perfection in this passage by defining what wisdom is not, in order to magnify how precious true wisdom from heaven is. To begin, we must keep in mind Proverbs 3:5-8 which states, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." What this reminds us is that wisdom begins with: 1. Trust in God as the sovereign and holy author of wisdom, 2. Abandonment of human logic and reasoning which is severely limited, and 3. Acknowledgment that the Lord is perfect and we are sinful. If we follow this recipe for success we will gain true, spiritual wisdom, but that hinges upon not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. The minute we elevate self, we diminish God, because jealousy and selfish ambition have taken root and quenched the Spirit's conviction.
Why jealousy and selfish ambition are so dangerous is that they twist wisdom into a "me-centered" funneling tool. True wisdom from God is not self-serving but God-glorifying. Wisdom at times will go against what we want or think will make us happy, but we know at times that God does not give us what we want because He sees what we do not and knows the condition of our heart. He knows whether our heart is pure. He knows what our intentions are before He grants our request for wisdom. And He knows for certain whether we are being drawn away from Him by our flesh, or drawn closer to Him by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.
Self-exaltation is also a huge area of concern James calls out because heavenly wisdom is not meant to position ourselves as better than others. Regardless of how spiritually mature or immature we are, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Moreover, boasting by telling people how wise we are does not make us wise. True wisdom is defined by our reverent posture before God, exemplified by our application of His Word. Similarly, twisting God's Word to minimize or justify our sinful behavior not only leads others astray, but is demonic and evil. We are fools if we believe God honors that type of behavior! We are called to be responsible with Scripture, not only by how we communicate its absolute truth, but how we live that out in a world opposed to its wisdom. The minute we lose sight of our position before God and begin to elevate and exalt our personal knowledge and ability, we are solidifying strongholds around our hearts that prevent accountability from providing a spiritual way of escape from eternal judgment and condemnation.
Finally, we are wise to understand that jealousy is not something we should consider lightly. Noah Webster defines jealousy as "that passion of peculiar uneasiness which arises from the fear that a rival may rob us of the affection of one whom we love, or the suspicion that he has already done it; or it is the uneasiness which arises from the fear that another does or will enjoy some advantage which we desire for ourselves." Jealousy magnifies our heart's intent and to whom we serve: self or God. Therefore, we must guard our hearts and minds from making jealousy an idol that draws us away from God. "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God," (Deuteronomy 4:24) and we are wise to destroy our stronghold of jealousy and selfish ambition to avoid the fire of judgment that comes to a man bent on serving himself rather than the Creator. Because as James stated in verse 13, the meekness of wisdom filters true intent and guides our focus on where we need to die to self and submit in obedience to the Lord.
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