Eliminate Doubt Series

Tom Lowe

1/18/2021

I. There are certain realities of life common to all believers – 1:2-1:18.

A. Trials and testing will come and can be overcome -- 1:2-8.

5. Eliminate doubt -- 1:6-8.

Lesson: James 1:6-8 - Eliminate Doubt

Text: James 1:6-8 (KJV)

6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

INTRODUCTION

James knew humanity only too well. Immediately after James invites us to charge boldly into our new lives, he points us to the tool for sustained endurance: Wisdom. Without God’s wisdom, we can quickly sprint into a concrete wall and spend months or years banging our heads against it without realizing how futile our efforts are. God’s wisdom gives us the tools to break down or circumvent the obstacle. In some cases, wisdom will even tell you to rest in front of the problem, even if it is incredibly uncomfortable at that moment. Accepting God’s wisdom means that you no longer let any circumstances drive your decisions or your reactions. This does not mean that you ignore your circumstances, but that your God-given perspective always trumps their weight in your decision-making process.

This is a good time to reread my commentary on verse 5.

COMMENTARY

6. 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 (Paul’s description of a man who doubts).

When James used the word “faith,” he meant, as did Jesus and Paul, “that faith is trust in God.” That is, that faith is a full commitment of self to God and what God wants to be done. Thus, the meaning is far more profound than mere belief in dogma or acceptance of a doctrinal position.

I have been immensely encouraged by verse 5 ever since I wrote a commentary for it. To see that God wants everyone to ask for wisdom and to know that if they ask in faith, they will receive it. Everyone! That is a remarkable statement. I firmly believe that whoever prays for this wisdom with even the smallest amount of faith will receive lie-exposing, truth-revealing wisdom and that it will bring about a renewed, God-filled life.

What I find interesting in verse 6 is that James does not say, “the unwise person is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” Instead, he says, “the one who doubts . . .” That is a remarkable distinction he has made. To receive Godly wisdom, we must first believe. In other words, wisdom is not required to believe.

This understanding of wisdom is not unique to James. He was familiar with the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, where wisdom is exalted to a lofty degree. James may also be familiar with two Jewish books of wisdom, Ecclastics and the wisdom of Solomon. In both of these books, the same idea is presented – that wisdom comes from God. Of course, Solomon is the best-known example of a man with wisdom. He asked for wisdom from God, and it was given to him (1 Kings 3:3-14). James was sure that any believer could ask God for wisdom and be confident that he will receive it.

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

We are so accustomed to equating wisdom with knowledge that it is difficult for us to understand that wisdom is not a human attainment. In this generation, great emphasis is put upon the accumulation of knowledge. Students spend endless hours trying to acquire as much information as possible. But this is not the wisdom of which James spoke. Wisdom is not something gained from books, not even from other people. It is something that only comes as a gift from the Bible. It is not something acquired by conversation with God. “With James, wisdom is the proper use of one’s opportunities in holy living. It is living like Christ in accord with the will of God.”

Not only does God give wisdom, but He gives it generously and without passing judgment. Actually, James said God gives simply, a word which frequently in the New Testament carries the idea of generosity. God’s gift of wisdom is generous. He does not give this gift accompanied with criticism, and it is an unconditional gift. It is not something that is earned or bartered for. God simply gives it upon request. This causes one to recall Jesus’ teaching on prayer. He encouraged His followers simply to ask of God with the confidence that He would give what was requested (Luke 11:9-13)