James 3:13-4:3 – “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven 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 good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.”

James 4:1 – “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it the whole army of evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what others have, and you can’t possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you do ask, you don’t get it because your whole motive is wrong — you want only what will give you pleasure.” NLT

Most people have experienced arguments and disagreements.  Many of us have been in “wars in church.”    I call them that because the result was such a division that there was a “church split,” a parting of the ways, marked by bitterness, anger, and resentment, which continues to this day for some, with no reconciliation.   WHAT CAUSED IT?

Let us take this even further.   The arguments in the home, at work, in various relationships, what is the root cause?   James presents a less-than-ideal picture of the situation and its satanic-inspired roots. 

Consider what he has to say:

1. If there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is no wisdom from above involved in the decision-making process.  Those things do not descend from God above but are belched out of hell.

• Where those things exist, in any relationship, there is disorder and lurking evil of every kind.  The doors are open to a frontal assault by the devil and a total disruption of any sense of unity.

• God’s wisdom is pure, peace-loving, gentle, and willing to see the other person’s point of view.  It is full of mercy and good works.  It shows no partiality and is completely sincere in its actions and decisions.  It produces a harvest of peace, harmony, and unity.

• The cause of quarrels and fights, according to James, is: 

1. An army of evil desires within the individual.
2. Scheming and conniving to get what you do not have but want that somebody else has.  That can even be applied to a ministry or a gift from God.
3. It results in social and spiritual murder (if not actual physical attacks).
4. Its root is “jealousy,” which produces “envy” and leads to many destructive things.

•  James even goes on to tell us that even when a person in this state asks God for the things they desire, they do not come because the motive behind the request is wrong, and God will not honor it.

That demands the question, “What are we to do? 

• First, follow the basic prescription in scripture and “Seek God first and above all….” 

Make Him the center of your universe.  Make His will and purpose your will and purpose.  Be willing to bloom where you are planted and with the ministry, talent, or gifts you have been given.  He may give you more, but give 100% to what you have and do so with a thankful heart. 

• Second, be willing to be the first to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. 

Proverbs tell us that “a soft answer turns away wrath.”  Too often, “soft answers” are foreign to our tone, and we want to hurt the other person just as much as we perceive we have been hurt. 

Vengeance is mine!  We omit the part where God said it was His and assume His role.  But the root is “jealousy” and “selfish ambition.”  Nothing wrong with wanting to succeed; it is wholesome, healthy, and desirable, but “selfish ambition” is not and should be taken to and left at the altar of repentance.

Think about your latest conflict.    Can you see any part where you might have been wrong?  If so, take immediate action to bring about reconciliation or attempt to do so.  You cannot force someone to reconcile, but you can remove their (misguided) justification for harboring resentment. 

May the Lord bless you as you proceed on your journey through this maze called life and learn of His wonders day by day!