James Expounds on Faith Volume 4

 Receiving Wisdom from God Part 1

James 1:5-6 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. 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. KJV

During the trials, temptations, and test of our faith because of persecution that comes from the 👿 devil through his demons working in and through the human beings that still belong to him, we need not only patience, but we need heavenly and divine wisdom from God to see us safely through our trials. Just as the Apostle James used the word 'wanting' (in the previous verse regarding patience) he so uses the English word 'lack' which both words are translated by the Greek word leipō a primary verb meaning to leave, that is, (intransitive or passive) to fail or be absent: - be destitute (wanting), lack. Therefore, we find the Apsotle James making this statement to each and everyone of us redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "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." (James 1:5) (KJV). When we are absent of any kind of understanding of what we should do or where we should be or whom we should be with, then we'll need guidance from the Only One who sees the end from the beginning as declared to us by the Prophet Isaiah with these words, "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:" (Isaiah 46:9-10) (KJV). We need the wisdom from our Father in Heaven to understand from where and why the test, temptations, and trials are coming to us, so that we can then be better equipped to 🚶 walk through them triumphantly. The English word 'liberally' is translated by the Greek word haplōs (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning simply bountifully or abundantly or extravagantly. The English word 'upbraideth' is translated by the Greek word oneidezō which means to defame, that is, rail at, chide, taunt: - cast in teeth, (suffer) reproach, revile, upbraid. In other words, the Apostle James is disseminating, decreeing, and declaring for all of us to know that our Father in Heaven will not reproach or revile us for our past sins that have been confessed and repented of, nor will He refuse us His wisdom because of our present or current nonsense or unsuitableness', but He will give to each of us bountifully and liberally His wisdom when we ask. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of James 1:5, "Wisdom signifies in general knowledge of the best end, and the best means of attaining it; but in Scripture it signifies the same as true religion, the thorough practical knowledge of God, of one’s self, and of a Savior. Because God is the only teacher of this wisdom. Who has all good, and gives all necessary good to every one that asks fervently. He who does not ask thus does not feel his need of Divine teaching. The ancient Greek maxim appears at first view strange, but it is literally true: -Αρχη γνωσεως της αγνοιας ἡ γνωσις. 'The knowledge of ignorance is the beginning of knowledge.' In knowledge we may distinguish these four things: - 1. Intelligence, the object of which is intuitive truths. 2. Wisdom, which is employed in finding out the best end. 3. Prudence, which regulates the whole conduct through life. 4. Art, which provides infallible rules to reason by."

We can trust our Father in Heaven to give us His wisdom during all times, but we must ask 'in faith' having a strong confidence in God and believing that He alone is Sovereign over all things under Heaven, therefore, we find the Apostle James declaring these words to us next, "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." (James 1:6) (KJV). The English word 'wavering' is translated by the Greek word diakrinō meaning  to separate thoroughly, that is, (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; hesitate: - doubt, stagger, waver. The English phrase 'driven with the wind' is translated by the Greek word anemizō (used this one time in the New Testament) meaning to toss with the wind: - drive with the wind; the meaning for us is that we can be moved all about and around away from the truth of the Word of God as the Apostle Paul said to the Church @ Ephesus with these words, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4:14) (KJV).  In other words, for we Christians who have our salvation in Christ sure, sound, and sealed for all eternity, then our enemy the 👿 devil tries to get us blown off course by making us doubt and hesitate and be unsure of what God's Word actually says and means, for this is what he has done from the very beginning, remember what he said to Eve, "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1) (KJV). However, what we are to do is to not be tossed about with every new wind of doctrine that contradicts, confuses, or clouds what the Word of God says about all matters under the ☀ Sun. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of James 1:6, "Believing that God IS; that he has all good; and that he is ever ready to impart to his creatures whatever they need. Not judging otherwise; having no doubt concerning the truth of these grand and fundamental principles, never supposing that God will permit him to ask in vain, when he asks sincerely and fervently. Let him not hesitate, let him not be irresolute; no man can believe too much good of God. The man who is not thoroughly persuaded that if he ask of God he shall receive, resembles a wave of the sea; he is in a state of continual agitation; driven by the wind, and tossed: now rising by hope, then sinking by despair."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…