James wrote, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. 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. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8).
James had just exhorted his reader to realize and recognize that through patience they could develop a full spiritual maturity as a result of the varied trials that they must ultimately face (James 1:1-4). But how is that possible? How can we find blessing in the difficult trials we face? James answers in the text above. He tells them and us that there is an unfailing supply of wisdom available for the asking. It comes from God and is given to those who ask. Jesus had earlier taught, “Ask, and ye shall receive…for everyone that asketh receiveth” (Matt. 7:7-8). The wisdom to see great blessings in difficult times is not inherent, and therefore must be obtained. And later, James would mention some things his readers had not received by telling them, “ye have not, because ye ask not.” This wisdom is only available from the Father above. James did not say, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him study philosophy.” He did not say, “Let him meditate, or consult some wise man.”
What is this “wisdom” which only God can provide? Webster defines wisdom as “the ability to judge soundly and deal sagaciously with facts, esp. as they relate to life and conduct; discernment and judgment; discretion; sagacity.” Note: sagacity means keen, sound judgment or skill. While knowledge has to do with knowing facts, wisdom is the ability to use those facts by judging soundly and correctly concerning them. Knowledge has to do with knowing facts; wisdom is the ability to use those facts by judging soundly and correctly concerning them. Knowledge comes through diligent study; wisdom is a gift from God.
How does God give us this wisdom? James does not deal with the how in which God gives this wisdom; it is the fact that is stated here. Too many people today are too interested in how God answers prayer. We need to be content with the fact that He does and leave the rest up to Him.
Notice also that God is a liberal God. He “giveth to all men liberally.” Obviously the word all is limited to His faithful disciples since they are the ones that God’s “ears are open unto their prayers” (I Pet. 3:12). He gives to all; there are no favored few among His disciples. “Liberally” means that He gives generously. During His personal ministry Jesus had taught that the disciple cannot “out give” God. “Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). Paul also stressed this same principle when he wrote “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (II Cor. 9:6).
James says further that God “upbraideth not.” God doesn’t throw it up to us; He does not cast a reproach at us for our frequent requests. He never says, “You just asked for that yesterday,” nor “You’re always asking for something.” He never chides us. Earthly fathers may say in answer to repeated requests from their children, “You are never satisfied; what did you do with what I gave you last week?” God never “upbraids.” He giveth to all men liberally. Notice the certainty expressed by “it shall be given unto him.” The certainty here expressed reminds us again of Jesus’ statement in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7:1-8).
There are conditions attached to this promise. The one asking must “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Faith is much, much more than just mere intellectual assent to some facts being true. Faith in the Scriptures means a firm reliance upon the Lord; it means unwavering trust in Him and His Word; and true faith is always coupled with the disposition to faithfully and fully obey all His commands. “Wavering” is doubting; it presents the picture of a person who can’t make up his mind. Does he believe or not? The “wave of the sea” comes toward the shore in one moment, and in another moment it goes in the opposite direction. This is James’ description of the man who asks of God doubting. And James says emphatically, “Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
The double-minded man comes from a word which appears only the book of James. Its other occurence is in James 4:8. He is the “wavering” man or the one who asks doubting. He is unable to make up his mind; he is in conflict with himself; he is “unstable” in all his ways. This word “unstable” is the word used to describe a drunk man unable to walk a straight line, and thus unable to get anywhere. One who wavers in his faith will be unstable in all areas of his Christian life.
Do you need wisdom? Then ask for it; ask of God; ask in faith; ask without wavering!
-Paul M. Wilmoth, January 18, 1944 – April 5, 2021