Don’t be Unstable!

James 1:7-8 King James Version (KJV)

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

What man are we talking about here?  It is the man (or woman) who has a faith that wavers, or that is based on his mental capacity or judgement.  A faith that does not take the Word of God for what it says, but bases his beliefs by what he sees or feels.  James says we need a faith that does not waver, a faith that trusts in God alone, a faith that can move mountains or heal everyone it comes in contact with.  That is the faith that God is grooming in us.  He allows those trials into our life, and we greet them with joy because we know that through faith they will produce patience in us, and when we have waited on God, and our patience is perfected, we are now ready to fulfill His plan for our lives.

James also says that a man with faith that wavers should not expect anything from the Lord.  I have to really think about that!  I think of all the scriptures that say my prayers will be answered, like:

John 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Matt 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you

John 16:24  ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

I would list many more, but let’s stop there.  Many of you know these scriptures, and we hear them quoted over and over again.  We claim these scriptures when we pray, and believe that because we know these verses and can quote them that our prayers will be answered.  That’s all well and good, but I believe God expects more than just a knowledge of scripture and an ability to memorize and read His word when we need it. James brings that truth out here.

If you look at most of the scriptures that have to do with receiving from God, it is always prefaced by the need to believe, the need to have faith –  the kind of faith James is talking about.  While there are dozens of scriptures that say God will answer us, only a few say we will receive what we ask for.  God might answer no, He might say later, and He might say increase your faith – you are wavering.  A person that wavers will should not expect to receive anything from God.  I think Hebrews 11:6 is a great verse to confirm what James is saying here.

But 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.

He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.  To be diligent means that we put forth our best effort.  We give Him our all.  We are not the double minded man of verse 8.  We are not meandering about between the world and God.  We are steadfast, unmovable, resolute in our stand with God.  We are like the tree plated by the water in Psalm 1:1-3

 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

I am not going to get deep into this verse, but you can see this person is sold out for God.  He is not wavering between the world and God.  He does not walk in ungodly counsel and is not chumming around with sinners and scorners.  His delight is in God’s word, and He spends he spends his time there.  That is the person who has unwavering faith, faith that will be rewarded.

James even takes this one step further by saying that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  if we waver in our faith toward God our whole life will waver.  We will have little direction in life, and we will not have all that God wants us to have.  We will be up and down with good days and bad days, joy and sorrow, worry and peace, hope and hopelessness.  Our life will be inconsistent at best.  Is that the kind of life I want? NO!

God has so much more for me.  He has a whole supply house in heaven with everything I will ever need and more.  If I can only learn to have that complete trust and faith in Him.  Unwavering, resolute to serve Him and keep Him first at all times.  How do I get that kind of faith?  By having that joy when trouble comes, knowing that He is building my faith through patience.  Not avoiding or resenting the trials, but instead allowing Him to bring me through them in patience.  Not trying to go around them, but waiting for Him to lead me to the other side.  Lord, help me be that man!