Got Wisdom?
James 1:5-8
Last week we talked about trials and testing. Do they make us a bitter or better Christian?
We also talked about how trials are inevitable, (or to be expected)
Remember James is not a book of faith and works but a book of faith that works!
I. We need wisdom as Christians to properly deal with our trials and testing. (we need to ask God)
a. God puts trails in our life for a reason, we need to ask God for wisdom to learn from these trials rather than try to escape them.
b. Remember we have no reason to fear trials. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (Remember fear is lack of faith, i.e. God can’t get me through this one!!??) We have to trust God’s provision.
c. This is one reason we have so many week, and immature Christians they will not allow God to test them.
d. Some Christians look to man when sufferings come rather than look to God.
e. There are 3 things in verse 5 we need to look at that teaches us about God’s wisdom.
1. God knows we need wisdom.
He is our creator no one knows us better than God. There always comes a time in our lives that we realize that we need wisdom. Our limited minds just cannot come up with a solution to some of our problems. (That is why God gives us trials and hardship is to realize that we need Him and to ask Him for wisdom)
i. I have heard this verse used out of context many times. It does not necessarily mean that God will give us wisdom in any matter that we ask but it does mean that He will give us understanding and wisdom in trials as to why this is happening and what He is trying to teach us.
ii. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
2. God is the one who gives wisdom, man does not have it
Let us look at Job 28:1?28
The bible tells us that Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived 2 Chronicles 1:10-12 tells us“10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
3. God wants to give us wisdom in abundance.
So many times we try to find wisdom on our own, when God is trying to tell us that He is the only one that can give us the wisdom that we need.
II. The condition for getting wisdom.
1. We must be totally faithful in order for God to give us wisdom. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”
Have you ever been on a ship when the waves get big? Back and forth, Back and forth… it is enough to make you sick!
I wonder if God ever gets sick of our back and forth, Back and forth?
As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
If you think you are nothing, you will act like you are nothing.
If you think that God cannot meet your needs, you will respond as if God can’t meet your needs.
If you don’t believe that God can give you the wisdom that you need to endure the trials of life, then you will not go to Him to get that wisdom and you will become bitter and cynical and not grow.
If we are double minded, we are inconsistent with God’s plan of faithfulness in trials.
