The Fruit of Righteousness

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, 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

James states the truth about how jealousy and self-ambition operate in society.  Creating disorder and chaos diverts the attention of people from what is important by making a big deal out of things which are mundane. 

When we get down to the business of serving God, we need to remember that our motives need to be pure and we need to be peaceable and anyone who wreaks havoc with words or actions that are divisive and mediocre needs to be shown the door. 

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace.