CAUSES FOR DIVISION
But if you harbor 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, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3:14-16 (NIV)
If unity is from the Spirit, then division is from the devil. This is one of his main strategies to oppose the work of the Spirit. He has destroyed many churches and people through moral failure, but he destroyed just as many through division. It’s a cancer that affects the future and life of the church. James 3 mentions some causes of division that we must be aware of.
One of the first causes of division is envy. Instead of having our eyes on Jesus, we have our eyes on others. The comparison game starts to create a self-pity that can make us envious of other people and what they have. How excited are you for others when they get a promotion, a new car, a new opportunity, or recognition that you don’t? The enemy will creep in and get us to become jealous of others, creating a division that keeps the Holy Spirit from moving freely. The other day, I bought something for myself, and a friend called and shared that he bought a bunch of things for himself that day. I was annoyed because I thought his stuff was better. That little flash of jealousy almost caused me to miss my blessings right in front of me.
The second cause of division in the verse above is selfish ambition. I have often said that when others lie, it's a sin; however, when I lie… it's complicated. The point is that my selfish ambition will cause me to do or say some things I wouldn’t normally say. Selfish ambition can show up in big and small ways. We will cut someone down or go along with gossip at times to fit into a certain group. Selfish ambition can sometimes cause us to cut corners to get ahead or be dishonest about a particular situation. Have you noticed selfish ambition can also cause us to over-spiritualize our views? We tend to make topics or beliefs that we are most passionate about the most important things, and we can often shame others who don’t hold our same convictions on certain subjects.
May God make us more aware of the enemy’s plans to divide us. May we operate with spiritual wisdom and maturity to tear down envy and selfish ambition that surface in our own lives and the church. Where there is unity, the Spirit is free to move and have His way!
APPLICATION:
Look for the ways envy and selfish ambition bubble up today.
PRAYER:
Ask the Spirit to reveal any areas of envy or selfish ambition. Whatever the Spirit reveals, be faithful to respond. Thank Him for the unity He brings.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?