A Recipe for Chaos

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

Do you know what chaos is? Most likely, your bedroom is in a constant state of chaos from
clean to utter disaster. Chaos means lack of order. Everything is out of place. Everything is
random. Everything is unstructured.

Have you ever seen something like this? If a huge flood came and swept through your
city with force of water that could crush buildings, after the water was gone you would see
“chaos”. Buildings destroyed. Debris everywhere. Things that used to have a rightful place
strewn all over the road. The same thing happens after a tornado tragically rips through a town
and destroys everything in its pathway of doom. The aftermath is nothing but chaos.
James tells us in our verse for today that there is a recipe for chaos in our lives. It’s from
jealousy and selfish ambition. They will rip a pathway of destruction through our lives if we fail
to repent of these sinful tendencies that we all possess. James doesn’t use the word “chaos” but
he uses the word “disorder” which essentially means the same thing. Our lives will be
completely out of order when jealousy and selfishness abound.
The good news is that there is a better way. Being content with what God has provided
for us and seeking to love him and others first is how we can find true order in our lives. These
are the opposite of jealousy and selfishness. We see in the life of Jesus the perfect embodiment
of being content and selfless. His perfection is credited to us when we repent of our failures in
this area. This is the best news of all.

Read Proverbs 14:30
• Why do you think this proverb is true?
• What is one way you can battle jealousy in your life?
• What is one way you can battle selfishness in your life?

Prayer
Our Father, thank you that you promise to bring ultimate order into our lives. We know that the
lies of the devil will always leave us in ruin. Protect us from the enemy and help us by the power
of your Spirit to cast off our desires that are prone to jealousy and selfishness. We know that you
are working through us for your good pleasure. May we be quick to repent and quick to seek life
in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.