Weekly Sermon
James 1:6-8 reads, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
As we have previous noted, the opening matter about which the epistle of James provides pastoral counsel concerns the trials, troubles, and tribulations of our lives. Concerning this matter James delivers a series of four instructions under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit. The first is found in verses 2-3 and speaks concerning our regard and attitude toward the trials of life, saying, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The second is found in verse 4 and speaks concerning our response of submission in the trials of life, saying, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The third is found in verse 5 and speaks concerning our prayerfulness unto the Lord concerning the trials of life, saying, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
The fourth of these instructions is found in the opening portion of verse 6. It provides an additional requirement in relation to the previous instruction. Therein we are instructed to “ask of God” whenever we lack the true, spiritual wisdom of God for the direction, decisions, and difficulties of our lives. The instruction of verse 6 then adds, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Thus it speaks concerning our trust in the Lord through the trials of life. This truth is then expanded in the remainder of verse 6 through verse 8, wherein a significant warning is given to those who waver with doubt toward the Lord.
Grammatically, verses 6-8 present four individual sentences and may be divided into four individual thoughts concerning the matter. First, there is the complementary prerequisite of the first sentence -- “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Second, there is the comparative picture of the second sentence -- “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” Third, there is the explanatory prohibition of the third sentence -- “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Fourth, there is the defining principle of the fourth sentence -- “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:6-8 reads, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
As we have previous noted, the opening matter about which the epistle of James provides pastoral counsel concerns the trials, troubles, and tribulations of our lives. Concerning this matter James delivers a series of four instructions under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit. The first is found in verses 2-3 and speaks concerning our regard and attitude toward the trials of life, saying, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The second is found in verse 4 and speaks concerning our response of submission in the trials of life, saying, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The third is found in verse 5 and speaks concerning our prayerfulness unto the Lord concerning the trials of life, saying, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
The fourth of these instructions is found in the opening portion of verse 6. It provides an additional requirement in relation to the previous instruction. Therein we are instructed to “ask of God” whenever we lack the true, spiritual wisdom of God for the direction, decisions, and difficulties of our lives. The instruction of verse 6 then adds, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Thus it speaks concerning our trust in the Lord through the trials of life. This truth is then expanded in the remainder of verse 6 through verse 8, wherein a significant warning is given to those who waver with doubt toward the Lord.
Grammatically, verses 6-8 present four individual sentences and may be divided into four individual thoughts concerning the matter. First, there is the complementary prerequisite of the first sentence -- “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Second, there is the comparative picture of the second sentence -- “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” Third, there is the explanatory prohibition of the third sentence -- “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Fourth, there is the defining principle of the fourth sentence -- “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
The Prerequisite of an Unwavering Faith
In verse 5 the Lord our God instructs us to ask of Him whenever we lack true, spiritual wisdom for life. Along with that instruction, our Lord gives us a foundation for assurance through His character and His promise. He assures us that He is a God “that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not.” This is our Lord’s character. If any individual one of us will humbly acknowledge his lack of wisdom and will humbly ask Him for it, “it shall be given him.” This is our Lord’s promise. However, our Lord does set a prerequisite before each one of us. The opening portion of verse 6 states, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” The conjunction “but” with which this instruction begins clearly indicates that it is connected and complementary to the previous instruction of verse 5. Yea, it establishes a boundary to the previous promise of verse 5; and this boundary is set in the form of a command from our Lord. Just as with the instruction of verse 5, this command is presented in the continuing character of the present tense. Not only are we required to continue asking of God each step of the way for the wisdom that we need, but also we are required to continue asking in faith toward the Lord our God without any wavering of doubt.
Yet what does it mean to “ask in faith”? Many have a false view of faith, thinking that it is a high emotional level of positive thinking. In prayer they ask of God to do something for them, and they charge themselves up emotionally with great self-determination until they are positively convinced that He will do it. Yet this is not Biblical faith at all. Biblical faith is not rooted to our own emotional determination and positive thinking. Rather, Biblical faith is rooted to our Lord’s gracious character and faithful promise. True, Biblical faith only takes hold of that which our Lord Himself has actually promised to do. It is complete confidence and unwavering trust in the revealed character and promise of our Lord.
In verse 5 the Lord our God gives us a very definite promise. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” However, we must “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” We must have full assurance of faith that it is indeed our Lord’s will that we should have this true, spiritual wisdom for life, in accord with His own command that we should ask for it. We must have full assurance of faith that the Lord our God is the all-wise God, who is truly able to give us any amount of true, spiritual wisdom for life that we may need at any given time. We must have full assurance of faith that the Lord our God is our loving heavenly Father, who cares enough to hear our prayer for true, spiritual wisdom when we cry out to Him. We must have full assurance of faith that the Lord our God is abundant in grace, ever willing to give us the true, spiritual wisdom for life liberally, without upbraiding us, even though we are not worthy thereof. We must have full assurance of faith that the Lord our God is “the faithful God” (Deuteronomy 7:9), who is always faithful to His word of promise.
This full assurance of faith in the character and promise of our Lord must be without any wavering of doubt at all. The specific issue here is the faith, trust, confidence, and assurance of our hearts in our Lord Himself. In this context, the word “wavereth” refers to one who is seeking to discern the right position between two possible choices, but who continually shifts back and forth between those two choices. It represents one who leans at one moment toward a trusting confidence in the ability, goodness, loving kindness, graciousness, and faithfulness of the Lord, yet who leans the next moment toward a questioning doubt therein. It represents one who is divided in his trust and loyalty toward the Lord. Furthermore, it represents one who is uncertain about the goodness of our Lord’s direction and guidance, even if that wisdom should be granted, and who is not certainly prepared to submit himself unto it.
Such a wavering heart of doubt must never be a part of our prayer for true, spiritual wisdom. We must allow no place for wavering doubt at all. Rather, as we consider and meditate upon our Lord’s character and promise, we must choose the side of full confidence in Him that He will be faithful unto His promise. We must possess the same spirit of faith as the man of God Abraham, who “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Romans 4:20-21). When we ask of the Lord our God for wisdom, our hearts must be “strong in faith.” We must be “fully persuaded” in heart that our Lord is both able and faithful to fulfill His promise in giving us the wisdom that we need. We must not stagger at our Lord’s promise “through unbelief.” We must not possess any doubt in our heart concerning our Lord’s character or promise to give. Rather, we must possess an unhesitating conviction and expectation that the promised wisdom will be given; and we must give “glory to God” on the very grounds of that certain expectation. Furthermore, we must be certainly prepared to submit ourselves and obediently follow the wisdom, direction, and guidance that our Lord provides.
Now, we must understand that the instruction of James 1:6 must be applied on an individual basis. The instruction is presented in a singular format. “But let him [that is – the individual one who acknowledges his lack of wisdom and who asks of God for that wisdom] ask in faith.” Each individual one of us without exception is required by our Lord’s command to “ask in faith” each and every time that we ask of Him for wisdom. Our Lord’s abundance in giving us the wisdom that we need is limited only by our own faith in asking for that wisdom. Thus if we ask of God for true, spiritual wisdom, but do not receive it, it is our own fault. It is not due to our Lord’s lack of faithfulness, but due to our lack of faith. Brethren, the greatest enemy to our prayer for wisdom is our own wavering in doubt and unbelief. As our heavenly Father, the Lord our God is ever willing in love to give. As His dear children, we must be ever waiting in faith to receive.
The Picture of an Ungrounded Character
Yet what is the case if we do not ask of God in faith? What is the case if we do waver with doubt in our heart? The next three sentences of James 1:6-8 give the answer with a very significant and serious warning. This warning is intended as a strong motivation for us not to waver at all with doubt toward our Lord, but to be continually filled with faith in our Lord. The first sentence of this warning is delivered in the closing portion of verse 6, saying, “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” The conjunction “for” with which this sentence begins indicates that it is an explanation concerning the characteristic of wavering.
This explanation from verse 6 is provided through the illustrative picture of a billowing wave. This illustration speaks concerning the individual who characteristically wavers with a heart of doubt toward the Lord’s character and promise. Herein God’s Word indicates that such an individual resembles the surging waves of the sea that are driven and tossed by stormy winds. Within this picture the surging wave represents the doubting individual, and the blowing winds represent the forces of outside circumstances. Just like “a wave of the sea,” such a doubting individual will be driven and tossed to and fro, up and down, back and forth, right and left, all around, by the ever-changing winds of circumstance.
This illustrative picture reveals that such a doubting individual will continually experience a spiritually ungrounded character. Because this individual does not ground himself through faith upon the rock of our Lord and His Word, he will be driven and tossed by the winds of circumstance. As the circumstances change, so his moods will change. As his moods change, so his direction will be governed. Thus the ever-changing circumstances will govern the direction of his heart. Not having his soul anchored to the Lord and His Word through faith, he possesses no steady principle upon which to ground his heart. His direction will be ever shifting. His heart will be easily and regularly troubled. His spiritual progress will be stunted and remain in spiritual immaturity. His sinful flesh will reign within, according to its momentary lusts. His life will be spiritually withered and wasted.
The Prohibition of an Unwarranted Expectation
Furthermore, the second sentence of this motivational warning is delivered in verse 7, saying, “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Again the conjunction “for” with which this sentence begins indicates that it is yet another word of warning to that particular individual who characteristically wavers with a heart of doubt toward the Lord’s character and promise. The phrase “that man” refers with a negative, disapproving tone to “him that wavereth” with doubt from verse 6.
This word of warning is provided with the force of an authoritative prohibition. The Lord our God directly commands such a doubting individual not to think that he shall receive anything from the Lord in answer to his prayers. He is not to imagine for a moment that any of his prayers will be answered. He is not to conclude through any means that the Lord will hear his prayers. He is not to assure himself at all that he might receive any wisdom or anything else from the gracious hand of the Lord. Any such thought would be self-deception.
Hebrews 11:6 declares, “For without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” To waver with doubt toward the character or promise of the Lord is a direct offense against Him. Such a doubting individual may lift up many prayers unto the Lord. Yet they will be utterly wasted. His prayers for wisdom or anything also will accomplish nothing at all. His own wavering in doubt toward the Lord and His Word create an impenetrable barrier to his prayers. Any personal feeling of expectation that he might receive an answer to his prayers is completely unwarranted. Yea, such feeling of expectation is actually disobedience to our Lord’s prohibition.
The Principle of an Unstable Life
The third and final sentence of this motivational warning is delivered in verse 8, saying, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Herein our Lord sets forth a universal principle of truth concerning the impact of one’s heart character upon one’s life conduct. In this context, the phrase “a double-minded man” is yet another reference to the one who characteristically wavers with a heart of doubt toward the Lord’s character and promise. He is a man who is double-minded in the character of his heart and who is thereby unstable in all the conduct of his ways.
In verse 6 the doubting individual is described with the picture of a billowing wave. In verse 8 he is defined by the Lord as “a double-minded man.” Literally, the Greek term means “double-souled.” Such an individual is divided in heart and soul between a godly focus upon the righteous will of the Lord and a selfish focus upon the sinful lusts of his flesh. Like the children of Israel in 1 Kings 18:21, such an individual is continually halting between two directions. In the very depths of his soul, he is straddling a fence. At one moment his soul is directed toward a trusting confidence in the Lord and a loyal submission to the Lord. At another moment his soul is directed toward a wavering doubt of the Lord and a loving affection for the world.
Because of his divided heart and soul, such a doubting individual will be “unstable in all his ways.” His divided mindset in his relationship of trust toward the Lord is demonstrated throughout all the areas of his life. Confusion plagues his thoughts, understanding, discernment, motivation, emotion, and purpose. He will vacillate in his decisions and direction. Hesitation and inconsistency will pervade every area of his life. In his spiritual progress, daily walk, family relationships, ministry service, work efforts, financial management, life pursuits, etc., he will be unstable and ineffective. Often a sense of discouragement, depression, and despair will take hold upon such a doubting individual.
The only solution will be to draw nigh unto the Lord our God through humble repentance of double-mindedness as sin and through whole-hearted faith and submission toward the Lord. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:8-10).
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