For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. — James 3:16
The devil knows that envy and strife destroy relationships and long-term friendships. He
is aware that if he can create envy and strife between you and the ones you love, he can
ruin those special relationships that God intended to be a blessing in your life. Do you
have any relationships in your life right now that are under this kind of demonic assault?
The devil doesn't just target friendships with this type of assault. He also knows how to
get in between you and your church family, a ministry you love and support, or even the
organization or place of business where you work. The enemy doesn't care whom he
divides — he simply wants to divide! Since envy and strife are some of the tools he uses
to do this, it is crucial that you understand how to recognize envy and strife and how to
stand against them!
In James 3:16, the Bible says, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and
every evil work.” I want you to notice the word “envy” in this verse. It is taken from the
Greek word z¢los, and it denotes a fierce desire to promote one's own ideas and
convictions to the exclusion of everyone else. This word z¢los is where we get the word
zealot, which describes a person who is so fixated, obsessed, and fanatical about his
own cause that others perceive him as an extremist on the threshold of becoming
militant.
In the case of James 3:16, this word presents a picture of a believer who is so
obsessed, gripped, and preoccupied with his own view of things that he can't see or
hear the view of anyone else. In fact, his militant perspective has made him lopsided in
his thinking. He never takes a softer line but holds out until all the other parties admit
defeat and agree with his point of view.
Therefore, the word “envy” in James 3:16 could be translated this way:
“For where there is a fierce desire to promote one's own ideas and convictions to the
elimination of everyone else....”
If this kind of attitude continues, it will naturally lead to the next step in this horrible
sequence of events. This is where strife comes into the picture! Notice that James goes
on to say, “For where envying and strife is....”
The word “strife” is taken from the Greek word eritheia. It was used by the ancient
Greeks to stand for a political party. This Greek word is often translated as a party spirit
because of its linkage to political systems and political parties. Therefore, in order for us
to understand why James used this word, we need to stop and think about the way
political parties are formed and how they function.
Political parties are formed by a group of people who have similar values and views. After
the party is formed, the participants develop a unified agenda; once the agenda is
decided on, they create a platform. From that platform, the people begin to push their
agenda and ideas, fighting fiercely to see that their party's platform is accepted and
eventually put in the position of ruling and calling the shots.
In the same way, some Christians become so clouded by their ambition to see their own
views adopted that they have no tolerance for anyone who sees things differently than
they do. These people usually gravitate to other believers who hold similar views.
Once these “like-minded” Christians find each other, they naturally begin to take sides,
forming a kind of allegiance. Then they begin to form agendas and develop plans to see
their views pushed, promoted, and accepted. As a result, people who once stood
shoulder to shoulder often end up standing on different sides of a fight with their
relationships ruined and filled with hurt.
When envy and strife have made it this far, the next step in this sequence of events
becomes inevitable. James 3:16 continues, “For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion....”
The word “confusion” is taken from the word akatastasia. It was used in New Testament
times to describe civil disobedience, disorder, and anarchy in a city, state, or
government. By using this word, James explicitly tells us that when situations of strife
and discord are allowed to persist, an atmosphere of anarchy sets in and begins to
destroy the relationships once loved and cherished. Rational thinking is replaced by raw
emotions, and people end up getting hurt.
James wants to make sure we understand what this kind of conduct eventually produces
if this behavior isn't stopped. He goes on to say, “For where envying and strife is, there
is confusion and every evil work.”
The word “evil” is from the word phaulos, describing something that is terribly bad or
exceedingly vile. We get the word “foul” from this Greek word. James is saying that
where envy and strife are permitted to operate, thus producing confusion and anarchy in
relationships, they ultimately yield a foul-smelling situation!
These various Greek words in James 3:16 convey this idea:
“For where there is a fierce desire to promote one's own ideas and convictions to the
exclusion of everyone else's, it produces divisions so great that people end up taking
sides and forming differing parties with conflicting agendas. This is a terrible event,
because it creates great unrest among people who should be united. Ultimately, the
whole situation becomes a stinking mess!”
But understand this: You can help stop this from happening by choosing to consider
other people's opinions to be just as important as your own! Instead of pushing your
own agenda, why not stop and listen to what others have to say? They may have
something powerful to contribute, but if you can't hear them, you'll never benefit from
their perspective.
You don't have to yield to envy and strife! When the opportunity for strife arises, you
can beat Satan at his own game by choosing to make room for the ideas, thoughts, and
opinions of others. Even if you don't agree with what they say, at least you can
demonstrate that you value their right to have a differing opinion. By maintaining an
attitude of staying on the same side with your fellow believers, you can put the devil on
the run and keep your relationships alive, healthy, and long-lasting!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, I ask You to forgive me for the times I have allowed strife to get into my heart.
Also, please forgive me for those occasions when I have been the origin of strife and
fighting. Help me grow in discernment so I can quickly recognize when the devil is trying
to create division. Show me how to be a peacekeeper and a source of harmony rather
than a player in the midst of others' wrong attitudes. I confess that I do not yield to
envy and strife! When the opportunity for strife arises, I beat Satan at his own game by
choosing to respectfully make room for the ideas, thoughts, and opinions of others.
Even if I don't agree with what they say, I let them know that I value their right to have
a differing opinion. I maintain an attitude of staying on the same side with my fellow
believers; therefore, I put the devil on the run and keep him OUT of my relationships! I
declare this by faith in Jesus' name!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
(from Sparkling Gems from the Greek, © 2003 by Rick Renner. Used by permission. All
rights reserved.)
Remember, when you feel like you are nothing, the Lord is up to something.
Chaplain Greg
The devil knows that envy and strife destroy relationships and long-term friendships. He
is aware that if he can create envy and strife between you and the ones you love, he can
ruin those special relationships that God intended to be a blessing in your life. Do you
have any relationships in your life right now that are under this kind of demonic assault?
The devil doesn't just target friendships with this type of assault. He also knows how to
get in between you and your church family, a ministry you love and support, or even the
organization or place of business where you work. The enemy doesn't care whom he
divides — he simply wants to divide! Since envy and strife are some of the tools he uses
to do this, it is crucial that you understand how to recognize envy and strife and how to
stand against them!
In James 3:16, the Bible says, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and
every evil work.” I want you to notice the word “envy” in this verse. It is taken from the
Greek word z¢los, and it denotes a fierce desire to promote one's own ideas and
convictions to the exclusion of everyone else. This word z¢los is where we get the word
zealot, which describes a person who is so fixated, obsessed, and fanatical about his
own cause that others perceive him as an extremist on the threshold of becoming
militant.
In the case of James 3:16, this word presents a picture of a believer who is so
obsessed, gripped, and preoccupied with his own view of things that he can't see or
hear the view of anyone else. In fact, his militant perspective has made him lopsided in
his thinking. He never takes a softer line but holds out until all the other parties admit
defeat and agree with his point of view.
Therefore, the word “envy” in James 3:16 could be translated this way:
“For where there is a fierce desire to promote one's own ideas and convictions to the
elimination of everyone else....”
If this kind of attitude continues, it will naturally lead to the next step in this horrible
sequence of events. This is where strife comes into the picture! Notice that James goes
on to say, “For where envying and strife is....”
The word “strife” is taken from the Greek word eritheia. It was used by the ancient
Greeks to stand for a political party. This Greek word is often translated as a party spirit
because of its linkage to political systems and political parties. Therefore, in order for us
to understand why James used this word, we need to stop and think about the way
political parties are formed and how they function.
Political parties are formed by a group of people who have similar values and views. After
the party is formed, the participants develop a unified agenda; once the agenda is
decided on, they create a platform. From that platform, the people begin to push their
agenda and ideas, fighting fiercely to see that their party's platform is accepted and
eventually put in the position of ruling and calling the shots.
In the same way, some Christians become so clouded by their ambition to see their own
views adopted that they have no tolerance for anyone who sees things differently than
they do. These people usually gravitate to other believers who hold similar views.
Once these “like-minded” Christians find each other, they naturally begin to take sides,
forming a kind of allegiance. Then they begin to form agendas and develop plans to see
their views pushed, promoted, and accepted. As a result, people who once stood
shoulder to shoulder often end up standing on different sides of a fight with their
relationships ruined and filled with hurt.
When envy and strife have made it this far, the next step in this sequence of events
becomes inevitable. James 3:16 continues, “For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion....”
The word “confusion” is taken from the word akatastasia. It was used in New Testament
times to describe civil disobedience, disorder, and anarchy in a city, state, or
government. By using this word, James explicitly tells us that when situations of strife
and discord are allowed to persist, an atmosphere of anarchy sets in and begins to
destroy the relationships once loved and cherished. Rational thinking is replaced by raw
emotions, and people end up getting hurt.
James wants to make sure we understand what this kind of conduct eventually produces
if this behavior isn't stopped. He goes on to say, “For where envying and strife is, there
is confusion and every evil work.”
The word “evil” is from the word phaulos, describing something that is terribly bad or
exceedingly vile. We get the word “foul” from this Greek word. James is saying that
where envy and strife are permitted to operate, thus producing confusion and anarchy in
relationships, they ultimately yield a foul-smelling situation!
These various Greek words in James 3:16 convey this idea:
“For where there is a fierce desire to promote one's own ideas and convictions to the
exclusion of everyone else's, it produces divisions so great that people end up taking
sides and forming differing parties with conflicting agendas. This is a terrible event,
because it creates great unrest among people who should be united. Ultimately, the
whole situation becomes a stinking mess!”
But understand this: You can help stop this from happening by choosing to consider
other people's opinions to be just as important as your own! Instead of pushing your
own agenda, why not stop and listen to what others have to say? They may have
something powerful to contribute, but if you can't hear them, you'll never benefit from
their perspective.
You don't have to yield to envy and strife! When the opportunity for strife arises, you
can beat Satan at his own game by choosing to make room for the ideas, thoughts, and
opinions of others. Even if you don't agree with what they say, at least you can
demonstrate that you value their right to have a differing opinion. By maintaining an
attitude of staying on the same side with your fellow believers, you can put the devil on
the run and keep your relationships alive, healthy, and long-lasting!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, I ask You to forgive me for the times I have allowed strife to get into my heart.
Also, please forgive me for those occasions when I have been the origin of strife and
fighting. Help me grow in discernment so I can quickly recognize when the devil is trying
to create division. Show me how to be a peacekeeper and a source of harmony rather
than a player in the midst of others' wrong attitudes. I confess that I do not yield to
envy and strife! When the opportunity for strife arises, I beat Satan at his own game by
choosing to respectfully make room for the ideas, thoughts, and opinions of others.
Even if I don't agree with what they say, I let them know that I value their right to have
a differing opinion. I maintain an attitude of staying on the same side with my fellow
believers; therefore, I put the devil on the run and keep him OUT of my relationships! I
declare this by faith in Jesus' name!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
- Do your coworkers, friends, and family members find you open-hearted to their
suggestions, or do they find it difficult to express themselves honestly in front of
you? - When the opportunity for strife arises, what can you do to circumvent it and
promote peace? - Can you recall moments when you were so sure you were right, only to discover
that someone else's idea was really much better than yours?
(from Sparkling Gems from the Greek, © 2003 by Rick Renner. Used by permission. All
rights reserved.)
Remember, when you feel like you are nothing, the Lord is up to something.
Chaplain Greg
| Do Whatever Is Necessary to Keep Envy and Strife Out of Your Life! |