Diseased Hearts

 

For the most part of chapter three James has been stressing the contrasts between having a changed heart and retaining nothing new, but acting and having attitudes consistent with a heart controlled by worldly affairs. In chapter two, he compared the faith of demons with the faith of an unbelieving but professing individual. It seems that there are many who say they believe in God – a god out there somewhere, but have no real understanding of or appreciation for the one true God. Even the devils believe and tremble.

Here, James offers another outward sign exposing those who are not of the household of faith. All of this has to do with attitude and the outpouring from those inner feelings and desires.

James sets forth the supposition with two accusatory expressions: “bitter envying” and “strife.” The word “strife” is used in the New Testament both in a bad and a good sense. (Concerning the bad sense see Acts 13.45; Romans 13.13; Galatians 5.20.) From it we get our word zeal, which also may be good or bad, wise or foolish. The bad sense is most commonly used in the New Testament; and, in the present case, the bad sense is defined by the word “bitter.” It is often joined with “strife,” (ἔρις – “a desire to put one’s self forward”) and points to the end to which the person strives. The application here suggests someone who is full of the spirit of self-devotion.

The application of this argument is suggestive of those who serve in official positions for their own selfish interest, and who, to that end, promote party spirit and faction. In other words, it speaks of those who try to climb a ladder of success with regards only to their own promotion while not concerned with those they leave fallen in their wake as they advance. This attitude smacks in the face of truth and righteousness.

James is quick to point out that there is nothing Christ-like or heavenly about that type of heart. The one who creates political factions and cliques within a church body is not serving the Savior, but is serving self and creates factions within the body. These things should not be so since Christian family members should be known for their love for each other.

People who fit into this category often boast of their personal spiritualty and resist hearing godly counsel. You might hear them say something like, “I’m fine and no one is going to tell me what to do.” All their reasonings come from a heart skewed with worldly wisdom. Unfortunately, these folks go about their daily routine putting their own desires first as they are guided by the world, the flesh and the devil. Their desires push them further away from God as they choose to misrepresent the truth of God’s grace, which is the only answer to their needy condition.

The grace and truth of God changes vain aspirations into an honest and righteous relationship with the Almighty. We must learn to strain our every thought, attitude and action through the sieve of God’s Word.

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