“Who
among you is wise and understanding? Let
him show by his good behavior his deeds in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish
ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from
above, but is earthly, natural, and demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and
every evil thing. But the wisdom from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good
fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who
make peace.” James 3:13-18
Did
you ever encounter the green eyed monster of jealousy? If so, then you have experienced the destructive
nature of this monster. When James says
that it brings disorder and every evil thing, he is not exaggerating. When we are jealous it is because we are
frustrated and angry that life is not going as we think it should for us. In our jealousy we may tear down other people
who have succeeded where we have failed.
How
do we battle jealousy? First, by
examining what is happening and then by applying gentle wisdom. There can be no battle if we do not engage in
battle but rather engage in peace. Be at
peace with what you get, or do something to change your situation. If there is nothing you can do, then say –
whatever.
This
is not easy, but in the long run peace breeds peace in both us and those around
us.
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