A Foundation Of Wisdom

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." - James 1:5-8

The first section I wrote about in James focused on rejoicing during times of trials, this second section we are going to cover (quoted above) emphasizes the importance of prayer in this pursuit.

I think it is interesting that the quality James chooses to talk about is wisdom. James does not start off this section by saying, "if any of you lack motivation" or "if any of you lack steadfastness." He starts this section off by saying, "if any of you lacks wisdom." How does wisdom correlate to rejoicing during times of trial? It seems that James is saying that the very pursuit of joy during times of trials rests upon a foundation of wisdom. Is this not true? For when you have come to a financially unstable position, or have been fired from a job, or have wronged by a person or are experiencing any other kind of trial, is the natural response not to become angry and bitter? Such a response is familiar and accepted in the world, but wisdom is folly to the world (Proverbs 1:7). Wisdom leads a Christian to a response to trials that considers eternity and the Christian worldview. Wisdom is the foundation upon which the Christian must rest in order to react righteously to unrighteousness.

How are we to acquire such wisdom? If such wisdom is so important, should we not strive for it? James is quite clear in what we are to do: "let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." Did you read that? All we have to do is ask God for wisdom and we will become wise, right? Wrong. James adds one more condition to the prayer: "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting." Now you may be thinking to yourself is that all you have to do is ask for wisdom with a faithful heart and you will become wise. I believe this is again wrong. The word "faith" means also "faithfulness," "pledge," or "proof." I think it is correct to think of faith not in terms of believing, but in terms of devoting. When James says "let him ask in faith," I believe he means let him ask with desire, devotion, and faithfulness. In other words, I don't think James is telling you only to believe God will grant the wisdom, but believe it so much that you pursue the wisdom. We are not only to ask God to provide wisdom and believe he will, but believe to the extant that we seek out such wisdom. For I believe there is little faith in asking for something from God, and not pursuing that thing with your whole heart. You have to jump for someone to catch you, you can't just sit there.

James continues, "for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James points out that if we do lack faith, we are like a wave of the sea. Think about that statement for a moment. What does a wave in the sea do? It exists and then dissipates, it switches directions, it is completely at the mercy of the wind. James is urging the Christian to not be this kind of person. In prayer, do not be a person who is driven because of the environment around you, or is motivated by random events that take place. Be a person set in the firm foundation of the wisdom of God so that nothing can blow your "house" over (Matthew 7). James further notes that such a person has no right to expect anything to be given him from God; not just wisdom, but anything he asks for. Such a request is at the mercy of the wind and the mercy of God is not upon it. "For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord."

Lastly, just as a wave in the sea, such a person without faith is "unstable in all his ways" and "double-minded." The person has one mind in the world and one mind in God; this is the lukewarm Christian and Revelations says Christ will spit such a person out of his mouth (Revelations 3:16).

Be faithful servants to Christ and seek wisdom with all of your heart that you may use it in times of hardship, difficult decisions, and trials. Life is not always going to be easy, so prepare before it gets hard, and if it's already hard, than take this opportunity to be strengthened in wisdom, be faithful to God, and grow in Christ. I love you friends, remember these things throughout your day.