James 1:5-8 | Part 3
James 1:5-8
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—
First question. Do you need wisdom?
How badly do you need wisdom?
Sliding scale of need:
Physical (Body)
I feel good, I’m healthy (I don’t need that much…)
I feel poorly, I’m not healthy (I need help, but I don’t want to change)
I fluctuate a lot
I know that I’m in physical need of sustenance from my creator
Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
Emotional (Mind)
Today is a good day (I’m good!)
Today is a bad day (I’m not so good)
Today is OK. (Who knows?)
(I know that my mind is a deceiver, and I need TRUTH to reign in my thoughts.)
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? 10 I, the Lord, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.
Spiritual (Soul)
I have conviction, and I understand certain truths
I believe I’m the answer to all of my problems
I am lost without someone saving me
(I am completely convinced that Jesus Christ is my only Hope for salvation, change, and new life.)
John 14:5-6 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Your physical life is to be lived for Jesus
Your emotions are redirected by Jesus
Your salvation is only through Jesus
If this is what you know, WISDOM FROM GOD IS YOUR DESIRE!!
5b who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
God gives His wisdom generously
God doesn’t predicate what you get based on what you have done
Understand this. We are not asking for things, we are asking for wisdom to navigate our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives.
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Faith must be applied to this ASK
Doubters are unstable. What if? What if? What if?????
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
You doubt you don’t receive.
Receive what? Ability to discern and comprehend the right way of living
We are asking for wisdom, not things
So here is the breakdown of this passage:
If you need wisdom, and you do. You really need it. You can ask your heavenly Father who loves you and he will give it to you
You have to ask. How often do you need to ask? How often do you need wisdom
This gift will be generous
God does not hold a grudge against you for the wisdom He has given you in the past which you wasted
If you doubt God’s ability to give you what He says He will, don’t expect anything.