James tells us that wisdom is a gift we should ask for and here in his discussion, he tells us about the giver and the giving of wisdom; and the receiver and the receiving of wisdom. (READ TEXT)
1. The giver and the giving of wisdom - v. 5
James tells us that the giver of true wisdom is God. Some have said that wisdom is to the writings of James, what faith is to the
writings of Paul; hope is to the writings of Peter; and love is to the writings of John. Just as Paul emphasized faith, Peter emphasized hope, John emphasized love, and James emphasized the necessity of true wisdom if the Christian is to live the life he is called of God to live. James says there are two types of wisdom we can live by; and he describes the type of life produced by each in James 3:13-18:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from
wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
One is an earthly wisdom; the other is a divine wisdom. One has its source in the world; the other has its source in God. Living according to worldly wisdom results in a life that is empty and meaningless; living according to Godly wisdom results in a life that is full and meaningful. Notice how God gives wisdom to those who ask:
A. Generously - “generously to all”
God will not withhold from those who ask. In fact, He doesn’t meet our need according to our need, but according to His abundant supply.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
What does this mean? If I were to need a $1 and asked you for $1; and you gave me $1, then you have met my need according to my need. But if I were to need $1 and asked you for $1; and you gave me $10, then you have met my need according to your riches.
This is how God meets our need; including our need for wisdom.
B. Graciously - “without finding fault”
When we admit our need and ask God for wisdom, He never responds with “I told you so!” God isn’t one to rub our noses in our failures; but He rejoices in meeting our need for guidance and wisdom.
This reminds me of the portrait of our heavenly Father found in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24). When the son returned to the father, did the father say, “I told you, you’d be back, sooner or later!” That’s what the son expected to hear. Instead, the Jesus said, “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” The father graciously and generously met his son’s need according to his riches.
In the same way, our heavenly Father will meet our need for wisdom if we will ask Him. James says that God is the source of all true wisdom and He will generously and graciously give wisdom to all who ask.
2. The receiver and the receiving of wisdom - vs. 6-8
God graciously and generously gives wisdom to all who ask, but there conditions that must be met, if we are to receive the wisdom we seek.
James says the receiver of wisdom from God will only be one who is “single minded,” as opposed to being “double-minded” (v. 6).
The person who is not single-mindedly committed to following Christ will not receive anything from Him, for He cannot be trusted.
“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, (Jesus) said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.’” - Mark 8:34 (NLT)
“Then (Jesus) said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’” - Luke 9:23 (NLT)
“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’” - Luke 9:62 (NLT)
“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much,
even more will be required.” - Luke 12:48b (NLT)
This is why Romans 12:1 comes before Romans 12:2.
Romans 12:2 - “Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking.
Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.”
Romans 12:1 - “So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him - an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way.”
If we are to receive wisdom from the Lord we must be single-mindedly committed to obeying Him. God won’t give His revelation and wisdom to those who are unwilling to walking according to it.
“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy.” - Matthew 7:6a (NLT)
“Your spiritual train is running on two rails. One is revelation and the other is obedience. And if either rail stops, your train stops.
Learn to obey the Word of God.” - Adrian Rogers
But James also talks about the receiving of wisdom. How do we receive wisdom from God? By asking in faith. James says there are two things that must be true of our faith:
A. It must be persistent - lit. - “ask, and keep on asking” (vs. 5-6)
There must be a continual, persistent dependence on God if we are to receive the wisdom we need from Him. We must realize that we cannot afford to go a single day without His wisdom and guidance.
B. It must be positive - v. 6
Not only must we believe we can’t go a single day without God’s wisdom, but we must believe that if we ask, God will not let us go a single day without His wisdom. These two elements of being persistent and positive must be true of our faith if we are to receive from God the wisdom needed to live a full and meaningful life.
Interestingly, right after emphasizing the importance of single-minded obedience in receiving God’s revelation and wisdom, Jesus spoke of the importance of these two qualities of being persistent and being positive in Matthew 7:6-11:
Be persistent - “Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.” - Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)
Be positive - “Do any of you have a son? If he asked for bread, would you give him a rock? Or if he asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not! You people are so bad, but you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your
heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” - Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT)
Conclusion: If our lives are going to be lived in the best possible way, we need God’s wisdom to live by. He will generously and graciously give us all the wisdom we need if we’ll ask Him. But we should do so daily and expectantly; determined that we’ll obey whatever He says.
One practical way to apply James’ counsel is to have a daily “quiet time” where I listen for God’s voice by reading my Bible, and I speak to God through prayer. For example, in his daily quiet time with God, Martin Luther would read a passage of Scripture and ask four questions:
1) As a teaching, how should this be applied to my life?
2) As a thanksgiving, for what should I be grateful?
3) As a confession, what sin do I need to repent of?
4) As a petition, what prayer do I need to offer?
Whatever approach you use, it is vitally important that we commit to seeking to hear from and talk to God each and every day.
“A good barber must have his thoughts, mind and eyes concentrated upon the razor and the beard and not forget where he is in his stroke and shave. If he keeps talking or thinking of something else, he is likely to cut a man's mouth or nose - or even his throat. So anything that is to be done well ought to occupy the whole man.” - Martin Luther
For you or I to go a single day without seeking the wisdom God gives to live by, is essentially, choosing to cut our own throats.
