Read verses 13-18
Look at verses 14-16.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
To know the wisdom from above we are taught and warned first about what is not the wisdom from above: bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in the heart accompanied by boasting and being false to the truth.
We know from the But that the warning begins with and from what follows (and from other scripture, of course) that these are sinful attitudes of the heart which are opposed to the meekness of wisdom.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other. [Galatians 5:16, 17]
If there is bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts what are we commanded to do? Do not boast and be false to the truth.
What does this mean?
Since we know bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are sins, it may help to consider first what we are to do when we have these in our hearts. We must deal with them as God has commanded.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls. [James 1:21]
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. [James 4:7-10]
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. [James 5:16]
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9-10]
So, the right response to our sin is to humble ourselves before God confessing our sins, seeking forgiveness for them, and then repenting of them. In this, we acknowledge the truth of the gospel and the provision of God by his grace that he has made for us in Christ Jesus:
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect was tempted as we are, but without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [Hebrews 4:14-16]
If we have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts and then boast and be false to the truth, we are not doing what we are commanded to do with sin in our hearts as we live out our faith in Christ. We instead act like we are doing what is right, while all the time we are hiding sin and continuing in it. This is opposed to the wisdom of God. In a word, it is hypocrisy. Take a moment to read through again what is wisdom in verse 17.
Jesus taught and warned us about hypocrisy. See Matthew 6:1,2,5,16.
While considering what other scriptures might teach about what it is to boast and be false to the truth, these came to mind:
- Romans 1:18-25
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
- 1 John 1:5-10
- Matthew 7:1-5
- Romans 2:17-29
- 1 John 2:4-6
- 1 Peter 3:8- 12
And these possible examples of boasting and being false to the truth:
- Galatians 2:11-14 (Peter separating himself from the Gentiles when certain Jews came)
- Matthew 23:1-36 (Jesus’ woes to the Scribes and Pharisees)
- Matthew 24:45-51 (the faithful and wise servant – see also Ephesians 5:15-21)
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-23; 4:5-7; 5:1-8 (Paul to the Corinthian church)