Bible Verse of the Day Monday December 5th, 2022

James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

In this chapter of James (James 3), in the 13th verse, he speaks of the wise and understanding person that will show their good works of life by actions and manners done in humility, not in boasting about how great they are and how much advantage they have over others. Any envy or covetousness is against the example we as Christians should set to reflect the person of Christ Jesus to the World around us. However, when one adds bitterness to envy, it presents itself through viciousness and hostility (Hebrews 12:14). Vindictiveness and resentment of others, especially against the accomplishments of others, reveal a feebleness of character. Too many see humility as a weakness, but our weakness is our strength, in that we are weak, but Christ Jesus is strong. Humility is power under control. We surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit of God, relinquishing our carnal strength to be guided in life by the most powerful force known to humankind, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Selfish ambition will always harvest self-centered people who cannot abide by anything that does not appear to come from their philosophies and aspirations. Furthermore, selfish ambition will cause people to gauge others by their standards and criteria when we should always put ourselves alongside Christ Jesus.

When we compare ourselves to others, natural selfishness will show us always moving ahead of everyone else. Therefore, to maintain the humility that Christ wishes for us, we must gauge ourselves, our actions, and our lives in general with who Christ Jesus is. Rest assured, there will never be a more humiliating experience than when we realize that “we are weak, but He is strong.” Pride in oneself goes against God’s glory and belittles and devalues other people around us. “Bitter envy and selfish ambition” will cause one to glory in themselves because they hold themselves in higher esteem than all others. Thus, allowing Satan a foothold in one’s life that will steal the glory from where it belongs, and that is to God and Him alone. Therefore, any boasting we do should always be in our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Only through prayer, Bible study, and walking daily with God will we experience a transformation into the likeness of Christ Jesus, thus becoming good witnesses for His Gospel. Our prayers should be that through the leading, guiding, and direction of the Holy Spirit, we will guard against any rancorous envy and self-centered ambition in our hearts.  In doing this, we will be able to walk in the spirit and in truth, to continue our spiritual growth in and for the glory of God through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:29-32).