CONSEQUENCES OF ENVY AND STRIFE
By W. G. Guy
James 3:16 – For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
It is very apparent these days that there is considerable strife and confusion in this world. This is evident by people being easily offended and divided about all manner of issues; both major and even minor ones. And this applies to just about everything: politics, morality, social issues, personal issues and values, and even religions and forms of worship, to name a few.
What most people fail to realize is that such an environment is favorable for demons and evil spirits to manifest – “every evil work”. Yes, the devil thrives in such an environment because it provides him with a great opportunity to operate. Envy is like saying. “Why is he or she getting the recognition that I should have, or the position that I should get”? Or why does He or she get to do that and I can’t? This then causes strife!
What produces envy and strife, and where does it come from? It comes from man’s attempt to apply his limited human and carnal wisdom in matters of human affairs; as mentioned by James.
James 3:13-17 – 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. 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.
Obviously those who do not have the Spirit Christ in them can only apply carnal human intellect which is void to God’s character, nature, love and wisdom.
James 3:17 – For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Consider other scriptures given to us that deal with envy and strife; especially as it concerns the Church, Christian living and behavior.
Romans 13:12-14 – The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
As we draw closer to the return of our LORD we see such matters getting more severe and needing to be dealt with. This requires us to be more open and led by the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of Christ within us, than by our own selfish desires and opinions. As stated above we are to “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof”; so that Christ is seen in us and not our fleshly nature.
1 Corinthians 3:2-4 – I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
There are matters in many churches that cause envy and strife revealing that such believers are carnal and fleshly motivated by their own preferences which result in more confusion, envy and strife. These are things that the apostle Paul said he would have to strongly deal with when comes to them. (This was regarding a special offense that some wanted to deal with while others would not in the Corinthian Church.)
2 Corinthians 12:19-21 – Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not:
Paul declared what the results would be if the Corinthian Church continued with such behavior.
2 Corinthians 12: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: and lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
There is also envy and strife about preaching; what is preached; how it is preached; and who preaches.
Philippians 1:15-16 – Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Today this situation is very prevalent as each sect of the church has its own requirements for recognition as to who is allowed to preach and who isn’t. Thus many of God’s called and gifted servants are not allowed to deliver their messages to His people, because man refuses to recognize those that God has anointed for specific ministries and messages. Again, envy and strife!
Granted there are false preachers, prophets and teachers that abound today having messages that are false, and even perverse. These need to be recognized by the very thing Jesus said we are to evaluate in them.
Matthew 7:15-16 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
This “fruit” is not their works, but it is the Fruit of the Spirit, which is the character and nature of Christ that is seen in them. (See also John 15:1-5.)
Such false preachers are deceiving many today, just as Jesus foretold.
Matthew 24:4-5 & 24 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ (anointed); and shall deceive many. …. For there shall arise false Christs (anointed ones), and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
They are not the Lord’s true servants, but children of the devil. They cause confusion which is the work of the enemy.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity, (doing your own thing).
There are all manner of false doctrines being proclaimed throughout many churches. Thus we need to know the truth that is in God’s Word, and to be mature in our knowledge and understanding so that we can discern what is true and what is false. We are not to engage in vain discussions and disputations over doctrine but simply adhere to the Word of God.
1Timothy 6:3-5 – If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
False preachers, teachers and prophets are a major cause of envy and strife in the church creating conflicts about doctrines and issues.
1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The whole purpose of the church, and God’s appointed gift ministers, is to bring believers to spiritual maturity, unto the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-15 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
The spiritually mature in the LORD are able to discern and recognize what is true and what is false. Then there is no disputing, no strife and no envying, preventing the evil works of the enemy.
Hebrews 5:12-14 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Strife about values, issues and doctrines needs to be eliminated in order to provide an environment where the love of God can flourish in the believers, and not the whiles of the devil which only seeks to steal, kill and destroy; even what God has provided for you. Envy and strife goes contrary to the love that God commands and is the opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Remember where envy and strife comes from.
James 3:14-15 – 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.
Do not allow envy and strife to occur in your heart! Why? Because as a child of God, you are to be separate and set apart from the ways of this world, dedicated to God through Jesus Christ!
