Church Weekly
09 May 2021

CHURCH WEEKLY

REMEDY FOR STRIVE AND DISUNITY (JAMES 3:13-16)

Dear Members in Christ,

Remedy for strife and disunity (James 3:13-16)

Strife and disunity wreak havoc in any setting, in the family, in the workplace, or the church. The epistle of James has some important lessons for the believer about preventing disunity, envy, and strife. The epistle of James was written in a style for an audience familiar with Jewish customs and the Old Testament Laws. The contents and teaching in the epistle are also similar to some of the books of poetry in the Old Testament, which teaches wisdom, humility, and sobriety as virtues of a godly man. Today’s exhortation is a passage taken from James 3:13-16, exhorting us about how to deal with envy, disunity, and strife.

The teaching of God’s word centers on the virtues of a godly man. These are virtues which are bestowed upon a Christian by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The writer of the epistle warns against a heart condition of envy and strife which is contrary to that which is godly and wise. In this passage, the writer exhorts us by giving the remedy for the ills of envy and strife in the heart. Let us examine what the word of God has for our lesson today.     

Meekness – the virtue of a wise man

The passage begins with consideration for the virtue of meekness. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” James 3:13. Prevention is better than cure. One of the reasons for strife and bitter envying is an ungodly frame of mind. It fosters foolishness that is opposed to godly character. In particular, it is opposed to the godly virtues of meekness, humility, and submission to God. 

The writer asks how can you tell that a man is wise and filled with knowledge? The writer also answers the question in the same verse – this is the man who conducts himself with meekness. The meekness is borne of a wise mind, a wisdom which is from God. This wisdom which is from above, is from God, as James would expound later in this chapter. The man of wisdom is also filled with knowledge, and in the context of scriptures, this is knowledge from God’s word. This question from James about who is this wise man has its parallel in a verse in the book of Proverbs. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:33.

One who fears the Lord will live a life exhibiting wisdom, and this is evident by his or her demeanor of meekness. This is not the false humility of the world, but the kind of meekness that is seen in our Lord Jesus. It is manifested in a meek spirit that seeks to please God rather than self. Like our Lord Jesus, the one who possesses this kind of wisdom fears God above all else and understands the sovereignty of God.

Beloved, wherever God has placed us, let us be mindful about our motive in every word, thought, or deed. Whether it is at work or at home, or service in the church, whatever the situation. There is no need to envy others or to create conflict if we live to please God. However, if pleasing self is the motive, the Bible warns us that it is a sure recipe for conflict and jealousy. Let us learn to live wisely, to live for God, submitting to one another, in “meekness of wisdom.”         

The Sensual and Devilish Wisdom

The author of the epistle of James in James 3:14 uses the conjunction “but” to express a condition that is contrary to the previous thought of meekness of wisdom. He writes, But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 3:14-15.  

The passage describes a situation in which one’s heart is filled with strife and envy. It warns us that if our hearts are filled with “bitter envying,” and the word expresses a pungent, bitter jealousy one against another, this is not something to be proud of. If our hearts are filled with strife, and the meaning conveyed is that of conflict amongst warring factions, it is not something to rejoice about. It is not something that brings “glory,” or makes us glad. If we seem to think that such a condition is good, we ought not “lie against the truth.” James is saying, “don’t kid yourself.” No good can come from a heart filled with strife and selfish competition. The world may say that competition brings about efficiency. However, the Bible teaches us otherwise. If our works are filled with envy, these are worldly thoughts and fleshly motives.

The writer of the epistle has three words to describe the source of this kind of feelings and motives, he calls it “earthly, sensual, devilish.” The phrase comprising these three words describes everything that is against godliness. The feelings of envy and strife are not heavenly, thus he calls it “earthly.” It is sensual as opposed to spiritual. Like the fleshly owner, it depends on the senses for gratification, rather than spiritual fruit and blessings from God. And it is certainly devilish, the word in the original text is even more explicit, the writer uses the word “diamoniodes” or “demon-like.”

Beloved, if we harbor feelings in our hearts which promotes envy and disunity, the Bible alerts us that the source is not of God. Such feelings are from an evil source, designed to lead a believer into sin. These are everyday sins like envying, which is covetousness, and hatred which is murder. Beware, brothers and sisters in Christ! These thoughts can be very destructive to family relationships.

Fellow Christians, let us as spiritual men and women, be ready to discard whatever is earthly, sensual, and devilish. Let us carry ourselves with Christlike meekness and wisdom, and pray that God will help us to purge jealousy and hatred from our hearts.

Strife and Envy leads to Confusion and Conflict

It matters not where we are, a heart filled with earthly, sensual, and devilish wisdom can never bear good fruits. The result is a stark warning, “For where envying and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:16. The result of harbouring ungodly and fleshly motives in the heart is confusion or disorder. So, let us be warned against harbouring envious and contentious thoughts words, or deeds. Instead, how can we cultivate a spirit which averts the spiritual disaster of confusion and evil in our testimonies at our workplace? How can we be sure in our relationships at home, in church, and our areas of service for God are stripped of strife and envy? The answer in James 3:13 is let us be like the wise man (or woman) who is endued with wisdom.

The Bible teaches us to rely on God’s Holy Spirit to grant us wisdom, and the knowledge of God’s word. The knowledge of God’s word brings in our hearts the fear of God, and a spirit of meekness which is Christ-like. By the sanctifying influence of God’s Holy Spirit, we can fill our hearts instead with the fruits of meekness and love. God’s word gives us the instruction to be wise and be filled with the knowledge of God that we may not go after the world and the flesh. May we serve in unity, laying aside all envy and strife. Let us begin in our hearts, in our homes, in our respective areas of service, and may God strengthen us to live for Him and His glory. Amen.

 

In Christ,

Dn. Ben Lim Seh Beng