My
brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect
work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you
lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without
reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no
doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the
wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
[he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother
glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower
of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning
heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance
perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. James 1:2-11
NKJV
Have
you ever heard the expression “being of two minds” concerning one thing or
another? I think most of us have, and
have also probably used it on occasion.
Yet when I look a little closer at that expression, I certainly begin to
wonder if it isn’t a rather illogical statement. As I thought more about it, I began to wonder
if what it really means is that we can’t make up our minds and decide to
compromise by trying to hold two different opinions.
We
spoke last week about the subject of what true riches are to the believer, and
the importance of pursuing those things which will result in a heavenly reward
rather than an earthly one. Obviously,
the temptation which would follow a decision to try and do that would be some
sort of compromise; why can’t I do both?
In this passage from James, the message to us seems rather clear and that
is if we attempt to do such a thing, God will consider us to be “double minded”.
The
word in the Greek for double minded is dipsychos
which translates as wavering or doubting.
Looking closely at the passage from James also shows us what it is that
we are doubting, and that is the power of God to provide. When you think about it, the obvious question
is what could possibly cause us to doubt the promise of God to take care of His
own and to provide our every need? I
think the simple answer is that it is not that we have been denied what we need, but
rather what we want. Of course, we don’t
necessarily see it that way but I can recall in my own life having a discussion
or two with the Lord about what I thought was a need and finding out that He
did not.
So
when that situation occurs, the individual who chooses to pursue what he wants
becomes a double minded man and the result of that decision is very clear. In
verse seven we are told; “For let not that man suppose that he will
receive anything from the Lord;”.
This statement alone should give many pause for thought. Have you wondered why it seems you are
lacking something you need? Ask yourself
if you are resting in the Lord and waiting on Him, or trying to “help” Him out
by attempting to provide by your own efforts.
"No
one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God
and mammon. "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what
you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:24-25 NKJV
'And
you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with
all your mind, and with all your strength.' This [is] the first commandment. Mark
12:30 NKJV
And do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God. Romans 12:2 NKJV
What
I believe it really comes down to is what our response is when we don’t feel
our needs are being met. Trust in God or
trust in self? It took me a while to
notice the answer we are given when faced with this situation which is found in
the beginning of the passage in verse five. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let
him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be
given to him.” Have you asked God
for wisdom to understand the situation or simply make the decision to try and
provide what you feel you need because you doubt His ability to do so?
The world demands we pursue the things which
would exalt us in the eyes of others, but God makes it clear what He regards as
a life which deserves reward. Look
closely at verse nine where James tells us; “Let the lowly brother glory in
his exaltation”. Would you
rather look like a success in the eyes of the world, or accept what God
provides and wish for nothing more? God
makes it clear who He will reward.
He sets
on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety. Job 5:11 NKJV
Who
remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy [endures] forever; Psalm 136:23 NKJV
Though
the LORD [is] on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from
afar. Psalm 138:6 NKJV
Better
[to be] of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the
proud. Proverbs 16:19 NKJV
He has
put down the mighty from [their] thrones, And exalted [the] lowly. Luke 1:52 NKJV
For I
say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think
[of himself] more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God
has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Romans 12:3 NKJV
[Let]
nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only
for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be
in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
Phillipians 2:3-5 NKJV
Believers
cannot be of “two minds” about God’s provision.
Accept what He has given and when you think you need something more ask
Him for wisdom to understand the situation you find yourself in. Never doubt that God promises to provide.
Keep
watching.
