James 1:5-11  The Lord invites us to ask Him.. for wisdom.. for mountains to be moved ( Mark 11:23).. for "anything" ( John 16:23).  But, we must ask "without any doubting" .  If we are to endure "the testing of our faith" and be made complete in Christ Jesus...then we need to ask for wisdom and believe that He will give it to us "generously and without reproach". 

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says that "knowledge is the apprehension of the truth.. and wisdom is its application to life." Verses 9-11 give us a perfect illustration of this:

 "But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position."  The truth is that this believer doesn't have much in the way of material goods.. he knows that very well..but he also knows that there is glory to come because of his faith in Jesus Christ, so he lives in that greater truth.  That's wise. 

 ".. and let the rich man glory in his humiliation because like the flowering grass he will pass away.. "  Wisdom is not trusting in the riches or the successes or the "pursuits" that will "fade away".  He humbles himself before the Lord who holds his future and does not trust in his temporary material belongings. That's wise. 

Spiritual wisdom, James writes, is "from above" - it is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits. unwavering, without hypocrisy". ( 3:17)  "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior and deeds in the gentleness of wisdom."  Wisdom is not.. "bitter jealousy and selfish ambition".  It is not "arrogant".  It is not filled with falsehoods.

So, we need to ask for true wisdom... to live out His Truth.... with purity and gentleness, doing what is good and merciful and peaceable.. the way Jesus lived. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." ( Col. 3:17) We ask Him to help us to live out this truth.. and we believe that He will do it!

But, we need to think about this problem with "doubting" or being "double-minded".  For, it is a serious issue... " for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.... being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." ( v6,8).  It is a major problem, because.. "...let not that man expect he will receive anything from the Lord."  It stops our prayers. It interrupts our relationship with our Father in heaven.  It leaves us storm tossed and drowning.. like Peter when he tried to walk on the water with Jesus... we start sinking. 

The word translated "doubting" is diakrino, it means "to separate thoroughly, to withdraw from, oppose, discriminate, hesitate, contend, stagger, waver".   A double-minded man is one who  vacillates.  The Holman Bible dictionary says this.. "James urged those who pray to do so without doubting.This doubting is not so much intellectual doubt ( Does God exist?), but doubt about commitment ( Am I committed to this God to whom I pray? Will I make use of this wisdom for which I pray?) Such doubt is described as double-mindedness. The double-minded are unstable in all their ways, that is they vacillate between following God's way and their own way. The solution to double-mindedness is to draw near to God who can purify the heart."  James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." 

Father in heaven, You are the solution to every problem! We want to draw nearer to You so that we can be pure of heart.. steadfast of mind.. firmly committed to standing on the Rock - Christ Jesus.  We do not want to waver in doubt and unbelief.. so we ask You for true wisdom and true faith.  Fill our hearts with Your Spirit so that we can do everything.. in word or deed.. for the glory of our Lord Jesus. We ask this in His Name and give You thanks.  We know that You have fashioned our hearts and that You understand everyone of us, for You watch over us all. You will make our hearts pure as we draw near to You.  We wait for You, our shield and help, and we trust in Your holy name. Amen