The Way of Wisdom – Part 2
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8).
Putting confidence in God is also wise. It is a shift away from confidence in self. The tension between God and self is the ultimate test of faith because each person is always there with himself to challenge whether he will trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-7 make this clear. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.”
By contrast, doubting God elevates self. Doubts come from rationalizations and self-justifications. The Greek word for “doubt” here is διακρίνω (diakrínō). It means to separate something thoroughly. Analogically, it means to discriminate or oppose. In James 1:6, it means to oppose oneself, hence, doubt, waver, hesitate. James is painting this scene: At one moment, a person kneels in prayer, asking God to give him wisdom. The next moment, he says to himself, “it will never happen.” His thoughts are contradictory. They have no stability. This man is like the wave of the sea that is up one moment and down the next.
What does a person get who undoes everything he has done? (One minus one equals zero.) How could he receive anything from God? His own behavior prevents God from giving him anything, even under the perfect conditions, and God is the perfect giver. He gives liberally and without reproach. That is, He gives and doesn’t take back, but one who doubts gives up what God gives him by doubting the gift.
God bless you and I love you.
Kevin Cauley