"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:16 (KJV)
Envy, or jealously, cause strife... And strife causes all kinds of confusion and evil. When people are confused or stressed, they do things that they wouldn't normally do. Their judgment becomes clouded, and they make bad decisions. This is the reason that we need to stay away from places or people that cause us strife.
Sometimes we have to walk away from family, or friends that cause us strife. If they're interferring in our walk with Jesus, then we need to walk away from them. Say that you're running for president, but one of your friends is a drug dealer. What would you HAVE to do if you wanted to win the presidency? You would have to distance yourself from that friend. Likewise, as a Christian you're running a race and if someone is slowing you down you're going to have to distance yourself from that person. It's hard, it's very hard... I've done it. It's not one of those things that's supposed to be easy, but sometimes it has to be done.
Sometimes there is a lot of strife and envy at church, if that's the case you need to find a new church. HOWEVER, if you are the one causing that strife and envy then it doesn't matter where you go, it will follow you. You need to look at yourself objectively, and if that turns out to be the case then you need to work on yourself. You need to pray and seek change. It's even more difficult to look at yourself objectively, but you're going to have to do it a lot in life.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins as we forgive all those who've sinned against us. Help us to get rid of the strife and envy in our lives. Give us the strength to do what we need to do, and change us, make us pleasing to you. In Jesus name. A-men!
