James Expounds on Faith Volume 5

Receiving Wisdom from God Part 2

James 1:7-8 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. KJV

The Apostle James continues on to now declare an emphatic rebuke of the brother in Christ who allows himself to be tossed back and forth like the sea is with the wind (verse 6) bordering on an insensitive, indurate, and insulting tone given to each and everyone of us in order to make the point clear that there can be no uncertainty in our purpose and actions before our Father in Heaven vacillating between two opinions, just as the Prophet Elijah declared to the children of Israel with these words, "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." (1 Kings 18:21) (KJV). In other words, we must not be wondering, wandering, and wavering with our belief as to who is God, for Christ is Lord and God, therefore, the Apostle James wants us to by faith ask Him for the wisdom to respond and react during our trials, test, and temptations that He alone would be glorified, so he writes to us these next words, "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." (James 1:7-8) (KJV). The little English phrase 'a double minded' that begins verse 8 is translated by the Greek word dipsuchos (used only one other time in the New Testament) which means two spirited, that is, vacillating (in opinion or purpose): - double minded. The devil wants us to doubt our Father in Heaven and be confused 😕 by his tricks so that we will halt between two opinions, for we see it alive and well all over the world in visible Christianity today because there is not merely two opinions that he (the devil 👿) has thrown into the mix, but a buffet of opinions about God and His Word that the enemy wants us to line up and pick and choose what we believe to be the truth and ignore the real truth as it is clearly detailed to us and for us in Scripture concerning all matters under the Sun ☀. It is up to each one of us to not be silent (like the children of Israel were) when Elijah questioned them as to who is God. Jesus Christ is Lord and God and when we know and understand this without vacillating, then we can ask our Lord Jesus Christ in faith and receive Divine Wisdom from Him that will lead us into accomplishing His will on the 🌎 earth and not our will. Let us also with a rock solid 💪 strong belief know that our Father in Heaven will never come to us, correspond with us, or communicate to us in any manner to do or to be or to live outside of what He has once and for all communicated in His Holy Word the Bible, therefore, we shall never receive direction from God to go against the teachings in the Word of God, Amen!

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of a wavering double minded man of God, "To be sometimes lifted up by faith, and then thrown down again by distrust - to mount sometimes towards the heavens, with an intention to secure glory, and honour, and immortality, and then to sink again in seeking the ease of the body, or the enjoyments of this world - this is very fitly and elegantly compared to a wave of the sea, that rises and falls, swells and sinks, just as the wind tosses it higher or lower, that way or this. A mind that has but one single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in its devotions, and will be superior to all trials and oppositions. Now, for the cure of a wavering spirit and a weak faith, the apostle shows the ill effects of these, (1.) In that the success of prayer is spoiled hereby: Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord, James 1:7. Such a distrustful, shifting, unsettled person is not likely to value a favour from God as he should do, and therefore cannot expect to receive it. In asking for divine and heavenly wisdom we are never likely to prevail if we have not a heart to prize it above rubies, and the greatest things in this world. (2.) A wavering faith and spirit has a bad influence upon our conversations. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways, James 1:8. When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be great unsteadiness in all our conversation and actions. This may sometimes expose men to contempt in the world; but it is certain that such ways cannot please God nor procure any good for us in the end. While we have but one God to trust to, we have but one God to be governed by, and this should keep us even and steady. He that is unstable as water shall not excel."

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…