What does James 3:14 mean?
"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth." - James 3:14
James 3:14 - "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."
The Bible verse James 3:14 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth." This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of James that addresses the power of the tongue and the importance of wisdom and understanding in one's speech and actions.
In order to fully understand the meaning and context of James 3:14, it is important to consider the surrounding verses and the overall theme of the book of James. The book of James is a letter written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. James is writing to encourage believers to live out their faith through good works and to warn against the dangers of hypocrisy and favoritism.
In the preceding verses of James 3, the author discusses the power of the tongue and the importance of controlling one's speech. He uses the analogy of a small rudder controlling a large ship to illustrate the impact that the tongue can have on a person's life. He emphasizes the need for wisdom and understanding in the way that one speaks and interacts with others.
In verse 14, James specifically addresses the presence of "bitter envying and strife" in one's heart. Bitter envying refers to feelings of jealousy and resentment towards others, while strife refers to conflict and discord. James warns against harboring these negative emotions in one's heart, as they can lead to dishonesty and a lack of humility.
The verse continues with the admonition to "glory not, and lie not against the truth." This is a reminder to believers not to boast or take pride in their envy and strife, and to avoid deceitfully justifying or excusing these negative attitudes. Instead, believers are called to live in alignment with the truth of God's word, which includes practicing humility, love, and the pursuit of peace.
One of the key themes of James 3:14 is the importance of examining one's heart and motives. It speaks to the danger of allowing envy and strife to take root in one's heart, and the destructive impact that these attitudes can have on relationships and on one's own spiritual well-being. The verse serves as a reminder to believers to guard their hearts and to actively pursue virtues such as love, peace, and humility.
Another important theme in this verse is the contrast between worldly wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God. Earlier in the chapter, James distinguishes between "earthly, sensual, devilish" wisdom and the wisdom that is "from above" (James 3:15-17). Bitter envying and strife are products of worldly wisdom, which is characterized by selfish ambition and a lack of regard for others. In contrast, the wisdom that comes from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, and willing to yield. By warning against bitter envying and strife, James is encouraging believers to seek after the wisdom of God and reject the destructive patterns of the world.
Symbolism plays a significant role in the interpretation of this verse. Bitter envying and strife symbolize the negative attitudes and behaviors that can corrupt the heart and lead to discord and division. The heart is seen as the seat of one's emotions and desires, and James emphasizes the importance of guarding it against the harmful influence of envy and strife. On the other hand, the truth symbolizes the wisdom and values of God, which serve as a moral compass for believers to follow.
In conclusion, James 3:14 serves as a powerful reminder of the detrimental impact of bitter envying and strife in one's heart and the importance of aligning one's heart and actions with the truth of God's word. It underscores the need for believers to seek after the wisdom of God and to cultivate attitudes of love, humility, and peace. The verse challenges believers to examine their hearts and to actively pursue righteousness and godly wisdom in their daily lives.
James 3:14 Artwork
James 3:14 - "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."
James 3:14-16 - "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
Mark 3:17 - "And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:"
James 1:3 - "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
James 3:16 - "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
James 3:15 - "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."
James 3:18 - "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
Mark 14:33 - "And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;"
James 3:3 - "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body."
James 3:8 - "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
James 3:11 - "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?"
James 1:14 - "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
James 3:1 - "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."
Luke 6:14 - "Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,"
James 3:10 - "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."
Mark 3:18 - "And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,"
James 3:7 - "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:"
Matthew 10:3 - "Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;"
James 4:3 - "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
James 4:14 - "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
James 2:14 - "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
Mark 13:3 - "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,"
James 3:9 - "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."
James 3:5 - "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"
Mark 6:3 - "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."
James 5:14 - "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:"
James 3:2 - "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
James 3:13 - "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."
James 3:17 - "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
James 1:14-15 - "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."