The Danger, James 1:1-8 "James, a servant of GOD and of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 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. 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."
Our text gives important instruction regarding the believer's trials and testing's (vv.2-3), the need for patience while GOD is working in one's life (v.4), and the proper approach to prayer (vv.5-7). Sometimes our trials may seem too difficult; however, GOD knows exactly what we need and when we need it, for our good and HIS glory.
These are indeed wonderful directives; however, many seem to overlook the final verse of this text (v.8 pictured above) despite the fact that it is a vitally important warning from the LORD about the danger of double-mindedness: "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." Instability has become a major problem in our society, causing many to seek after man's wisdom for the answers to their problems. This explains why psychology has become so popular and why countless individuals today spend millions of dollars and far too many hours on self-help books, motivational talks, and self-improvement seminars. The fact that the unsaved turn to futile sources for help is understandable, but the sad reality that believers likewise often make this same mistake is inexcusable.
GOD's WORD has all the answers we need. The early church demonstrated exactly the opposite of double mindedness -- they worshiped, praised, and served the LORD with "singleness of heart" (Acts 2:46-47 pictured above). The biblical injunction for us today is that we demonstrate the same focused objective: "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD" (1st.Corinthians 10:31 pictured above). Instability on the part of so many believers is a direct result of listening to and seeking to please men (including themselves) rather than GOD. Do not make this tragic mistake ! We need to faithfully serve the LORD with singleness of heart.
The Cure, James 4:1-8 "From whence come wars and fighting's among you ? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members ? Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with GOD ? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of GOD. Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The SPIRIT that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy ? But HE giveth more grace. Wherefore HE saith, GOD resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to GOD, and HE will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
A sure cure is available for the double-mindedness that has left multitudes uncertain, unstable, confused, and desperate. A simple personal application of our text will produce wonderful and practical results, but unfortunately many are turning, instead, to so-called "Chistian Psychology" in which humanistic, godless psychology is mixed with biblical principles. The inevitable result of such an unholy amalgamation, however, is a more deceptive kind of double-mindedness because believers are usually unaware that they are embracing humanistic ideologies.
Our text above sets forth both the cause and the cure for double-mindedness. The WORD of GOD forewarns that all of man's attempts to gratify his fleshly desires will be unsuccessful (vv.1-2) and that such misguided aspirations will result in unanswered prayer (v.3), which obviously robs the believer of the help that GOD alone can give. Our text above speaks of the dangerous consequences of worldliness (vv.4-5 pictured above), and yet, astoundingly, worldliness has infiltrated the churches and the hearts of believers today to an unprecedented degree, making them all the more double-minded and unstable.
How can we as believers be protected or delivered from double-mindedness ? We must completely submit to the LORD and continuously resist whatever the Devil puts before us (v.7 pictured above). We must "draw nigh to GOD," "cleanse [our] hands," "purify [our] hearts" (v.8 pictured above), and wholly depend upon the LORD's sustaining grace that HE has promised to give to the humble saint (v.6). The Bible provides the only source of stability that the believer can trust in these tumultuous, deceptive days before CHRIST's return. MHR
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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