James always pointed his readers to the sacred Scriptures for guidance and truth. He wanted his wayward readers to understand that the world was full of powerful temptations and many choices. Without God’s wisdom, our fleshly desires take control and tug us down pathways that bring us harm rather than hope. God cannot sin, so His envy isn’t the same as human envy, which is wanting things we don’t have. God’s envy is for us—wanting us to run away from the things that would do us spiritual harm and run to Him. He wants close fellowship with us, because He knows we cannot be content or joyful when we’re out of step with Him. God wants us to speak to Him, to walk with Him in obedience to His Word, to bring Him glory in the way we live our lives. When we do, we find the path of peace.
