Sounds like a work environment, doesn't it? It could very well be. In all my years of employment, I have come across many people, interested not in doing the job they accepted, but in working very hard not to do the job. They may be Christian, but they do not bring Jesus to work with them every day...his example stays at home to be touted only to social gatherings and on Sundays at church. Only one place out of the many that I have worked was Jesus the first thought for the employees - that was the little church I worked at in Tennessee. He was there in the offices for quite some time; over a year, in fact. Then he was ushered out and a new regime of bitter and selfish men and women brought what James refers to in this verse.
When we stop doing things for God's glory and start doing them for our own, we open the door for the enemy to come in and bring all his evil attributes with him. He is the master of confusion (and prefers that we be in the state of confusion). He lights the fire under us that ignites our jealousy, our desires to have what we want at any cost. He lives to create conflict in our lives. He revels in our displaced anger.
Take the time to bring your core Christian values with you into every area of your life. Be kind and patient at work. Do the job you accepted, and do it to the very best of your ability (without worrying what others are saying about you). Let those who would gossip and lie about you have their little party - be everything they say your aren't! Bring your Christian values to the grocery store and be patient with those who don't - yes, I know the sign says "10 items or less" - is it really worth letting Satan win that little battle? Bring your Christian values in the car, to the gym and to the Saturday morning sports event with your kids. Let everyone see that Jesus lives in you and that you are a person of honor who does all things for God's glory!
