Q19. Selfishness vs. Humility

[Pastor Ralph]

Q19. (James 3:13-16) In what ways are “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” (3:14) direct opposites of “humility” (3:13)? How does denial of “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

[kas]

Bitter envy is to deeply desire what someone else has and despise the person who has it. Selfish ambition is wanting something regardless of how it affects others. Humililty is selflessness, holding others' needs to be more important than your own. Bitter envy and selfish ambition equates to putting your needs above the needs others without regard.

If we can't recognize the poison we won't know how to cure it.

Healing comes when a cure is applied. If we don't know we're sick why would we seek a cure.

When we speak we reinforce our thoughts/actions and also affect those around us. If we speak enthusiastically about our sins we not only continue to corrupt ourselves but others as well. We will only get worse. Our hearts harden and healing is far from us.

[lindaparadise]

In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

if you have bitter envy and or selfish ambition 1st you care what others think of you and what you can get out of it. with humility it doesn't matter how you're forseen. the only thing that matters is how GOD sees you.

[DebChats]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)?

Bitter envy and/or selfish ambition drives a person to do for oneself, which makes themselves and their own agendas top priority. Humility puts the other person first, which results in putting another ahead of ourself.

How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing?

Denial of any sinful nature will prevent healing, and both are of a sinful nature. (Just as denial of what Jesus has done for us, given us victory and abundant life, etc. can prevent healing.)

How does boasting about these prevent healing?

It feeds the sinful nature. When something is fed, it grows.

[sherrylynn]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Bitter envy doesn't show love toward those who have what we want and selfish ambition promotes self. We are to put others before ourself by serving God and our neighbor. Humility puts others needs before our own. Humility shows our love for God and neighbor. Bitter envy and selfish ambition place our own desires first and block the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If we deny we have envy and selfish ambition our hearts will remain unclean. We will not grow into Christ. We will not gain godly wisdom. Our growth and healing will be blocked by evil. Boasting demonstrates an unclean heart and again we will not grow into Christ.

[RonS]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Bitter envy and self ambition are putting other down to elevate yourself. Humility is putting other before your self.

For Jesus to work in your life you need to have a pure heart. If you want the power, that Jesus said he would give to us when he ascened you need to have a pure heart. If you want a pure heart ask the Holy Spirit to show you impurities of your heart. Then when he shows the problems to you ,they must be cleaned up. I think the impure heart is the main reason that we in America don't see the power of Christ in our lives.

[Helen Spaulding]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Humility consists of being realistic as to your own abilities as well as realizing the good that also comes from others. We are to put others before ourselves, not try to "get ahead--come hell or high water!" Or by stomping on others in order to climb over them. No. This is the opposite of humility. We should see that anything that we accomplish is the gift of God--not something we have done by ourselves.

Denial of envy and ambition prevents healing because it pushes these emotions down into the subconscious where they rot and fester Only by these being brought to the light, examined, confessed and turned from, can healing begin.

Boasting about envy and ambition--sounds like someone saying "I am the most humble person on earth!" An oxymoron.

[Rachel]

Selfishness and envy is not of God and cannot abide in the same space with humility. Some of the qualities of a humble heart are love, joy, peace, and contentment. Jesus was all about humility. As our example, unless we humble ourselves we will not be 'exalted.' Selfishness and envy concentrate only on personal selfish ambitons and do not seek the good of the other person.

If a person is selfish or envious, then that person should humbly admit and confess these faults to God, asking for forgiveness. Only then will healing take place.

A person who boasts about his/her selfishness and envy, is demonstrating a certain level of comfort with that condition; and will remain in that state, as he/she has not yet accepted the fact that a change of heart is needed in order to live a life that pleases God and is in keeping with His Word..

[grace]

Bitter envy and selfish ambition are opposite of Humility, in that envy and

selfish ambition are of the flesh, the world and the devil. Humility is a gift

from the Lord.

Denial of bitter envy and selfish ambition prevent healing because these

things lead to strife and confusion in one's life. One is not being true to

themselves, to allow these things to exist.

Boasting about these would prevent healing, for whenever you are trying

to look better than others, or get the better of others, things will fall apart.

There will be disorder and confusion in your life.

[Sgt_Z_Squad]

3.) (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

3.) Jesus tells us the greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39) My only thought is that if you are consumed with bitter envy and self ambition, then you can not love God or others. Because you are too consumed with loving yourself.

[June]

Bitter envy & selfish ambition are self serving whereas humility is serving others. By denial of them we are fooling ourselves and prevents the healing process. Boasting is also self serving. Boasting is earthly, unspiritual and selfishness in our hearts. Replace these things with things from heaven which are all in 1 Cor. 13, the love chapter...

[Helenmm]

Humility "prefers others". Envy and selfish ambition prefer self.

Healing is part of redemption from "sin" (sin = any shortcoming of the human body soul and spirit.) Envy and selfish ambition are of satan (satan = death and destruction).

The voice is the powerful instrument (for good or evil) of the heart, and if directed towards satan (death, destruction) will produce satanic consequences. Boasting is giving voice to envy and selfish ambition. It is associated with pride and comes before a fall from grace.

Denial of envy and selfish ambition is actually unrealistic. It lurks in all of us, as do other shortcomings. The best thing to do with any sin is face it, repent and seek the victory in Jesus. We will struggle with this during life on earth, but the crowns of life go to victors according to Revelation.

[ccs]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing

In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)?

bitter envy and selfish ambition are either of the flesh or Satan and humility is of the Spirit.

How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing?

you are to consumed with the negitive to encourage the positive. . . only the light can give healing.

How does boasting about these prevent healing

Boasting does not produce good fruit, thus, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

[happysheep]

Humility always puts the other in front of self. It respects and holds in esteem the other because it doesn

[AngelOnLine]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)?

Bitter envy and selfish ambition belong to those that are

[JoyceAlaska]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Envy and selfish ambition are both concerned with "self" or "ego"-- envy focuses on what others have, whether spiritual or monetary, rather on what God has blessed you with. Ambition focuses on the advancement of "self--whether in a spiritual or worldy realm. It is in direct opposition to the royal laws: Love your neighbor as yourself and Do for others what you would have others do for you.

They prevent healing because the focus is on self--not on God or His grace---these attitudes come between you and God and hinder healing. Boasting about envy or ambition is at best unwise; at worse self-defeating. It fosters feelings of resentment/anger--which hinders healing--

**scientifically proven!!

[sunilbernard]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Bitter envy and selfish ambition point towards putting ourselves in front of everything. That is pride. And pride is the opposite of humility. Envying others' properties and ambition for self upgrading puff up pride in ones self. Denying the above two negative charateristics will pave way for healing the mind and body. Boasting about these things will naturally prevent healing of the mind and body.

[Magnus]

Humility involves putting others before us

[Julie]

For in self ambition and bitter envy you are not considering others better than yourself.

Denial and boasting both are allowing this sinful conduct to continue, a refusal to accept the truth

[Peggie]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)?

Envy and ambition show concern for ourselves, especially selfish ambition. When we are humbled and have humility, we begin thinking outside of ourselves, and toward the good of others.

How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing?

Because to rid ourselves of those 2 things, we first have to admit we have them. Once we admit the problem, we can begin to heal, not only ourselves but those around us who have been hurt by us.

How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Boasting shows we don't think we have a problem when in fact we do.

[Renee]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)?

Humility is looking at others first and bitter envy and selfish ambition is putting 'me' first. It's a real hard thing to do sometimes to look at others before yourself, especially if that 'other' person has or is hurting you but that's what humility does. I think that you can protect yourself but not 'attack'.

How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing?

Anytime you deny something you haven't made it better you are just trying to cover it up. It will show it's ugly face and it can be real bad once it's uncovered like that. If you admit that you have it and ask God to help you to get rid of it then you can heal.

How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Boasting is normally just feeding it. The more you feed it the bigger it gets and there is no healing in that.

[Tom Nabors]

In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Bitter envy and selfish ambition are born out of pride, the kind of pride that one uses to get ahead at the expense of others. It is a pride where one thinks too highly of themselves or to lowly of others. By boasting of these, we show approval of them. If they are things we approve of, we would hardly see a reason to need healing from them.

[Candygoo58]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish

ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does

denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing?

How does boasting about these prevent healing?

We are to walk in humility. If we envy others then we are not humble. Ambition in its self is not a bad thing. But to want something someone else has for the wrong reasons is. We must put God first. We must put others before our selves. Only way to show God's love

[Bob Reeves]

*If you are envious of someone and your ambition is to be above or better than they, then you are too busy steping on others to see who you really are. Your pride has kept you from seeing the light of Christ and his grace.

*Being humble doesn't mean you can't be ambitious. Your ambition will be different than the one that is walking on others to get what they want. Your amition is seeing souls saved to the Glory of God. Bringing others to Jesus is the greatest amition a person could have. I Peter 5:5; ". . . all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

*You are walking in selfrightousness if you have bitter envy in your heart toward another person or persons. Most of your ambition is toward making others more lowley than yourself. As long as your are like that, you can never be set free of strife and contention.

Boasting how great you are and how you got there is a sin. And of course, if you walk in that sin, you will never see yourself need a touch for The Great God. You will die in your sin.

[TennLady01]

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing?

Bitter envy and selfish ambition are looking out for one self and not caring about the lives of others. It is putting self first and that is not a kind thing to do. We do not reflect Jesus when we put self first for with him self is always last. And with us we need to always have in our hearts and mind the order in which we are to think and speak and that is Jesus first then others and you. That is a wonderful way to spell JOY.

When you are putting self first you do not see what others need or have anything on your mind but yourself. You have to be able to step outside of self to forgive others and if we do not forgive others we cannot receive forgiveness from God. We are to love one another and put the others in before ourselves.

Ambition is too easily entwined with other motivations. We wrap ambitions in our own sense of self-worth, and so achievement of our goals is no longer pure. It is no longer to accomplish God's goals in life. It is also to vindicate our own selves, and to highlight our own achievements. Lofty ambitions become convenient blinds from which

to further our own objectives of popularity, power, and prosperity. Any time you put self first you do not heal it is like you take Jesus out of all that is going on around you. We need to keep in mind that he has to be first and others second in our lives and then we can look at a better way for us to grow and get ahead. Then we have put things in the right order and we will be able to be healed.