Word@Work James31 - James 3:14-15
Published: Tue, 03/24/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
INFECTED WITH EVIL
James 3:14-15 But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. (NIV)
If we do not prepare to life a good life (cf James 3:13) then we will prepare to do evil; because the is no morally neutral place for our thoughts and ambitions. Every day, not only brings its own rewards, but sets us up for future success or failure. In the same way that germs may incubate before producing the disease, so our covetous discontent fuelled by envy of a colleague or friend becomes a breeding ground for tomorrow's evil. Of course, 'sharp business practice' and greed cannot be sustained indefinitely; it will eventually produce a collapse of business, along with national and global economies.
This lust for more might have worldly commendation through over ambitious sales targets, but Christians should think differently. Whether that consuming desire for more is an individual or corporate obsession, it is important to see where it comes from. The devil has always been trying to stir up discontent. Wherever you see it happening, Satan's fingerprints are all over it. Of course, he hides behind those he has manipulated into doing his dirty work for him, as he did in the Garden of Eden (cf Gen 3:1-19).
Detecting the source of an outbreak of infection is the first step in any public health investigation. Alas, too often we find that our own hearts have become the primary or secondary hosts for spiritual germs, from which we and many others may be infected. So we must not delude ourselves. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, the strongest part of us is our desires. If we keep them away from the Lord, they will try to overcome His control over our lives; and then we will become toxic with an infection of greedy lust, until it overcomes our better reason. So stop and think. Take a check on potentially infected parts of your desire-base, and deny the devil by submitting them to the Lord.
Prayer: Merciful Lord. How I need a spiritual health check, to see where evil infections may be lurking ... waiting until they find opportunity to ruin my life and others' too. Forgive my smug justification for harbouring the bitterness that resents the blessing I see in others; and the calculated thought-steps to securing my own desires. Please work with me to unmask the spiritual infections that I have already contracted, and deal with them as I willingly offer them to you. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
If we do not prepare to life a good life (cf James 3:13) then we will prepare to do evil; because the is no morally neutral place for our thoughts and ambitions. Every day, not only brings its own rewards, but sets us up for future success or failure. In the same way that germs may incubate before producing the disease, so our covetous discontent fuelled by envy of a colleague or friend becomes a breeding ground for tomorrow's evil. Of course, 'sharp business practice' and greed cannot be sustained indefinitely; it will eventually produce a collapse of business, along with national and global economies.
This lust for more might have worldly commendation through over ambitious sales targets, but Christians should think differently. Whether that consuming desire for more is an individual or corporate obsession, it is important to see where it comes from. The devil has always been trying to stir up discontent. Wherever you see it happening, Satan's fingerprints are all over it. Of course, he hides behind those he has manipulated into doing his dirty work for him, as he did in the Garden of Eden (cf Gen 3:1-19).
Detecting the source of an outbreak of infection is the first step in any public health investigation. Alas, too often we find that our own hearts have become the primary or secondary hosts for spiritual germs, from which we and many others may be infected. So we must not delude ourselves. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, the strongest part of us is our desires. If we keep them away from the Lord, they will try to overcome His control over our lives; and then we will become toxic with an infection of greedy lust, until it overcomes our better reason. So stop and think. Take a check on potentially infected parts of your desire-base, and deny the devil by submitting them to the Lord.
Prayer: Merciful Lord. How I need a spiritual health check, to see where evil infections may be lurking ... waiting until they find opportunity to ruin my life and others' too. Forgive my smug justification for harbouring the bitterness that resents the blessing I see in others; and the calculated thought-steps to securing my own desires. Please work with me to unmask the spiritual infections that I have already contracted, and deal with them as I willingly offer them to you. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
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