Thursday, August 14, 2008
James 3:13-16
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 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. (ESV)
by Leota Stevens
Don’t just say it; display it! James sure hits the nail on the head in these verses. I have found in working with churches and community organizations that nothing stops the ministry more coldly than envy and self-seeking. These two actions are like an invasive cancer that can in time, if left untreated, destroy precious individuals and completely undermine the worthiness of the mission. If we find ourselves infected with these two deadly diseases, then we must repent, or we risk becoming a conduit for evil and bringing shame upon the name of Jesus.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
