THE ROOT OF VILE PRACTICES

THE ROOT OF VILE PRACTICES

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. —James 3:16

            Follow a vile practice back to the one practicing it and you will find jealousy and selfish ambition existing in that person.   Follow disorder back to the one causing it and you will find jealousy and selfish ambition.

            Selfish ambition is the root of all vile practice. Just look at our world and the evil in it. It is there because of selfish ambitions. People might not verbalize it this way, but it’s about me, it’s about what I think, it’s about what I want, it’s about my desires being met…   Yes, it is all about self. Sure, there may be the appearances of looking out for the good of others, but actions will show the true motives of a person… over time.

            Are ambitions wrong? Can’t we have goals, desires and purposes? Of course, but when they line up with God’s will. We are either doing God’s will as revealed in His Word or we are doing our own will. We are either being godly or godless, God-ward or self-ward, a God focused desire or a self focused desire. What is your focus and mine at any time?

            Again, look at the vile practices that are taking place and you can see the selfish ambition of the ones engaged in them. They are looking out for self and not for others. They may say they are, but in reality it is all about them.   It surely is not about God and His desires.

            So, brother and sister, let us check our ambitions. Are they rooted in God desires or are they rooted in selfish desires?   Dear Father may my ambitions be rooted in Your Word for Your glory, in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son. Yes, may this be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLX83HbefrI&list=UUf1NPIFOBwzTLVQiEDnq4Cw&index=16