Overcoming Double-Mindedness

Christianview Church

April 23, 1995

Overcoming Double-Mindedness

James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Most of us battle double-mindedness from time to time. We have so much information available to us, so many sources of wisdom, books, preachers, teachers; it is easy to become uncertain about what is right, and what is a well meaning but misguided fallacy.

The problem is that according to James, that going back and forth will result in us receiving nothing from the Lord.

Some Christians seem to have made a lifestyle out of double-mindedness; every time you see them God has told them something new to do which contradicts His previous directive. It makes you want to take God aside for a minute and say, “Come on Lord, pull Yourself togeather, You’re all over the map and it’s destroying this poor fellows life.”

Of course we know God is not the one who is confused!

If you want to do Christianity a huge service, from now on rather than announcing your plans as “God told me” or “God said”, practice saying, “I believe God is leading me to such and such” - that leaves room for human error and keeps Christians from looking like nut jobs!

God is not confused; He does not want us to be all over the map either.

Overcoming it:

1. Get into the Word.

The number one way God will lead you is through His word. The word of God is more sure than if an angel appears at the foot of your bed and starts passing out directives! Why? Because our enemy masquerades as an angel of light and at some point will produce lying signs and wonders to confuse the elect.

The Word however will not change, it is our anchor.

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Many Christians go to the Bible as the last resort when they are seeking direction preferring to discuss things with friends or their pastor, which is fine, but not in place of seeking God in the Word.

To be an effective Christian commitment to the Word of God is a must, to avoid being double-minded it is essential.

You will learn a lot about God at church and through Christian fellowship, but you will come to know Him through spending time in the Word.

A couple of tips:

a.) Your pastor does not hear from God for you. If you do not do what you believe God is telling you to do because the pastor will not give you “the release” you are making a huge mistake! When you stand before Him YOU will give an account of your life, the pastor is not God.

b.) You should not play biblical roulette. (Flip and stab method of handling the Word.) One young man was trying to decide if he should ask his girlfriend to marry him, he decided to play biblical roulette.

Proverbs 7:22

All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

“Well that can’t be right,” he thought to himself, “she is so fine, I’m sure this was a misfire, I’ll try again.” So he flipped again this time landing on:

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting

c.) Do not “put out a fleece”. This is an Old Testament practice which was okay for people who had not received the Holy Spirit but which is inferior to the plan of God to lead us through relationship, getting into the word and listening for His guidance.

So number one, - Get into the Word:

2. Don’t fear; there is no irreversible “blowing it” in God.

If you make a mistake, even a huge one, your life is not ruined!

What if I choose the wrong career?

What if I marry the wrong person and then compound things by getting a divorce?

What if I go bankrupt or blow my inheritance?

Remember the prodigal son? There is a plan that starts from wherever you are now!

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.