Free Bible Commentary
“James 1:5-8”
Categories: James“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
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It takes a good bit of wisdom to “consider it all joy…when you encounter various trials” (verse 2). Fortunately for us, God is more than willing to bestow this wisdom upon us if we will only “ask of” Him (verse 5). Our God is the greatest and most generous giver of all good gifts (verse 17), and this is one requested gift that our Lord will not refuse. If we truly desire to obey His will in all righteousness, like Solomon, God will gladly bestow the blessing of wisdom upon us if we humbly appeal to Him for it (2 Chronicles 1:11).
Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and information, and wisdom is the ability to use that knowledge in prudent and sensible ways. This does place the burden of responsibility upon us to read and study His living word to obtain the required knowledge, but God will give us the gift of wisdom if we do the reading and make the request. God gives us all good things, and generously, but we “must ask in faith without any doubting” (verse 6) if we hope to have our prayers answered in the affirmative.
“A double-minded man” (verse 8) is a person who simultaneously tries to keep one foot in the kingdom and the other in the world. He endeavors to “serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24), but actually lacks the ability to adequately serve either. We must seek the Lord with single-minded focus if we expect to have a healthy relationship with Him that produces a beneficial prayer life. Otherwise we will always be dismayed by “doubts”, as unpredictable as storm-tossed waves (verse 6), and “unstable” as a drunk trying to walk a straight line (verse 8). It is utterly absurd for a doubting, double-minded man to think he will receive “anything” form the Lord, let alone wisdom!
Ask of God, in faith, without any doubting, and it will be given unto you. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8). Please do not deceive yourself. You must truly seek His will if you expect to find His favor. May the Lord’s will always be done!
Please read James 1:9-11 for tomorrow.
Please come worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
We assemble at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
9:30 AM Bible classes for all ages. 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
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