Selfish Ambition and Jealousy
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18
Interesting how they go hand in hand. I wonder if first comes selfish ambition then jealousy follows when someone else gets what your ambition is trying to procure? Or even
It all results in the opposite of God’s wisdom which is first pure…Check out the open to reason part. I know a couple of people who I think are on the edge of mental illness (I have been there too) who have all the opposite of the wisdom from above and one of the main items is that they are not merciful or open to reason. Especially when they are having an “Episode”. I am not saying that they are there because of jealousy or selfish ambition (that was my downfall for sure however) but it does make you wonder if it plays a part.
Does terrible self esteem have any thing to do with selfish ambition? Wanting to be more than who you are? Wanting to be loved the way you want to be loved. It is kind of a jealousy when you want to be or have what others have. Just a thought…
I guess if we are not “peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” we should check ourselves and ask why.
First attempt. I am going to re-illustrate it, same drawings different paint process.
