James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. AMPC
Many are in confusion, unrest, in disharmony, and even rebellion against each other when they should be as representing Love. The discord among Christians is nothing less than evil
James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth. AMPC
There is and has been so much contention in the church, each church thinking they are better than the other. Even though a Christian isn't to be a gossiper and back bitter, that is exactly the way of a lot of churches were then, and still are today.
Are things any different than when James wrote this book? Is it jealousy? Do those who believe they are Christians think they know something they really don’t know, or does it make them feel better to think they know more than the next person?
So often one in the church gets offended just like when Jesus was here. He came to save us, yet He was judged as of the devil. Why were the Pharisees so jealous of Him? Why did it bother them so much to think they may be wrong and that Jesus was the Messiah? Why couldn't they just get over themselves and fall down and worship Him? Because they were too full of themselves. It wasn't a good feeling and it was humiliating to them to admit their sin, so instead they tried to make it seem as though Jesus was an outcast, or worse that Jesus was the devil.
Many Pastors and Christians alike do the same thing today. God brings someone into the picture to show them their sin, and instantly the church rebukes that sent one and tries to push that one God sent, over the cliff.
The church needs correction, just as the Pharisees did so God sends someone to help them to get it right, to prepare for their future with God. Those who are in leadership position, as the Pharisees did, become indignant and prosecute the sent one instead of appreciate that one.
God sends correction to us (through whom He chooses) to be in oneness with Him, to be equipped to do His work, and to be prepared for His coming.
God is calling the church to do His work but when we’re in sin, we can't do that work and so we need to be made aware of our sin. If God so chooses, He may use a person to bring that awareness to us.
Jesus came to show us the way and as we get off track, He continues to bring correction as a Father who loves His children does. Jesus wasn't who was expected then, just a carpenter's Son, and whom God chooses today won't be who we expect either.
Do we think we know too much, are we in the Judge's seat? Or are we submissive to God and receive whomever He might send to correct us?
Does one think they are being holy, yet they are prideful and causing disharmony by accusing the brethren? Does one think they know too much to judge the sent one?
James 3:15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
We have to be willing to be wrong, or we will find ourselves thinking things are right that in God’s eyes are wrong. We’ll be thinking we’re justified in our actions when God says we are devilish!
Be willing to correct yourself and to be corrected to eliminate dissension!
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. AMPC