Bitter Jealousy
VBC Albuquerque · Sep 14, 2025
This sermon explores the distinction between true wisdom and counterfeit wisdom arising from jealousy and strife. The message reveals that genuine wisdom originates from the fear of God and understanding, while jealousy leads to turmoil and evil. Believers are encouraged to abandon envious feelings and embrace the love empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The sermon begins by defining wisdom as the skillful, correct, and timely application of knowledge suited to circumstances and audience to bring good benefit to oneself, others, and God's work. Wisdom is exalted above mere knowledge because it combines knowledge, understanding, intelligence, and discernment into a harmonious whole. The preacher quotes Proverbs 9:10 to affirm that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
The core of the sermon analyzes counterfeit wisdom described in James 3:13-16, the kind of wisdom that arises from bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. The sermon points out that this wisdom does not come from heaven but belongs to the world, the flesh, and demons. Wherever jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice. The sermon cites multiple Scripture passages—including Ecclesiastes 4:4, Romans 1:28-31, Titus 3:3, and 1 Timothy 6:3-5—to demonstrate that jealousy is a sin that produces destructive consequences in personal and community life.
The sermon emphasizes that the tenth commandment of the Ten Commandments warns against coveting and jealousy, for the Lord is a jealous God. The sermon also quotes 1 Corinthians 13:4, where love is described as patient, kind, not envious, and not boastful. Finally, the sermon encourages believers to live by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25-26) by abandoning jealousy, envy, and strife, instead cultivating genuine love that leads to peace and unity in the Church.