Listen

However, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, then stop bragging and living in ways that deny the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is from the earth, natural and demonic. Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and everything that is evil.

James 3:14-16

Think

Reading these words from James reminds me that jealousy is pretty serious. According to James, it can lead to disorder and everything that is evil. Having contempt for someone because of what they have or how they live is not healthy; it is not living a life in God’s wisdom. Jealousy and selfish ambition are not humble actions.

When you are at school and see what other people are wearing, who’s hanging out with whom, how others are doing on their school work, it can be easy to feel a little jealous of others sometimes.

When you find yourself being jealous or living with selfish ambition, remember that God asks you to stop and instead to focus on love. Jealousy and selfish ambition do not go alongside love. The wisdom you are given is that you now know the difference between jealousy and humility. Your responsibility is to use this wisdom and seek humility as much as you are able. Your goal is to be humble, turn away from jealousy, and love other people as God loves you.

Josh Speight

Pray

God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me this one special life that is only mine. Help me put aside jealousy for humility. Help me to love others as you love me. Amen.

Go

Go now in the power of the Spirit of God, blessed to be God’s Church in the world.