THE BOOK OF JAMES

STUDY PART 3

James 1:5-8 WISDOM THROUGH PRAYER (READ) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Intro: The Christian of today faces some of the greatest opportunities and yet some of the most perplexing problems that God’s people have ever faced. If ever there was a need for Godly wisdom, it is today.

James brings our attention to the second great lesson of his book which is that of wisdom.  In our last study together, our attention was focused upon a Faith that grows, a Faith that develops, and a Faith that matures under trials. We remember that James pointed out previously that our attitude in these trials is to be one of ALL JOY. Believing that “All things work together for good to those that love the Lord” ROM 8:28; the true Christian attitude is that of learning under difficulties. Realizing its difficult to act wisely when in deep trial and tribulation, our attention is now focused upon the true source of Christian wisdom.

I.         The way to wisdom (vs. 5) –

 

A.      Note how keenly James uses discernment “If any of you lack wisdom” He didn’t say, “now most of you are ignorant and need wisdom from God.” As representatives of our Lord it is necessary for us to use tack and discernment when dealing with people. This is a character of Christ such as when he confronted the woman at the well with her sins. Would the Lord have us trod/stamp down on people’s feelings in order for us to feel important by always sharing our opinions? A Christian doesn’t need to do foolish things. If we FIRST would remember to ask God for wisdom, how many times we would avoid foolish and unwise decisions that lead to harmful outcomes to our spiritual walk with HIM. God knows what is best for us if we will just ask for His guidance and wisdom, but we must stop and ask (John 16:24).

B.      “ask of God” – Prayer brings wisdom. What better or higher source could we go to then God. Here is a simple yet profound definition of prayer. James here is showing the way to true wisdom is through prayer. James was a man of prayer. He spoke from experience. James was called “camel knees” as a nickname because of the time he spent in prayer. Do we take time to do the same? James did more than talk about prayer, he practiced prayer.

(QUESTION: Can anyone give a life experience where they had to ask God for wisdom? What was the result? Anyone have an instance where in looking back they relied on their own wisdom instead of that from God?

 

C.      “who gives generously to all men”-(vs 5) God is a great giver and you know what, he does not charge anyone of us for it.  God is the giver of all we are, all we eat, wear, or use in the material world. All that we have is His. He is the giver of all spiritual gifts (I Cor. 12:5-11). This spiritual blessing is free. (Isa. 55:1). God maketh available to all men the plan of salvation through his Son Jesus Christ.

D.      God gives “liberally and without complaint or fault-(vs 5)  We serve a liberal Father,  for HE pours out His blessing upon us who don’t deserve it. He gives to us as the Father did to the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24). The son asked for his inheritance ahead of time and squandered all of his fathers money. He came back poor and rejected. Yet, the son was received back into his fathers house. God gives as only diety can afford, what a privilege to be on the receiving end of such blessings.

E.      “And it shall be given to him” – the Lord has many things and not necessarily material things but blessings that He wants to give all of us. But, we must come believing and ask. “Ask and it shall be given to you” (Matt 7:7).  (Prov.2:6) reveals God’s willingness to give wisdom “For the Lord giveth wisdom”

II.       Wisdom comes as we ask in Faith (vs. 6) “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave on the sea, blown and tossed by the wind”

 

A.      All the promises of verse 5 are void if not accompanied by Faith in verse 6. The promises of God are usually qualified and in this case wisdom is promised on the qualification of Faith. “Without Faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Unless I have Faith and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing can be done for me by God.

B.      Examples of Faith - Men have had to put Faith in men. Henry Ford and those who invested in his care were made rich in the end. John Stevenson worked long and hard on the first locomotive and his wife said it would never run. When it started down the tracks he responded “it will never stop” and still trains remain today. Men’s faith in each other has often been untrustworthy and still we go on trusting one another. How much more should we trust in God? He has never let anyone down, for HE is absolutely 100% trustworthy. Men of the Faith are recorded in the Bible. Hebrews 11 “the Faith chapter” records heroes of the Faith who trusted absolutely in God . Men like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Joseph.

(QUESTION: What happens to our Faith when we doubt? Where do you believe doubt comes from? Anyone share a doubt they have had in their life recently and the outcome of it?

C.      We are to live by Faith- “the just shall live by faith” (Heb. 2:4). The Christian walk is by Faith.

D.      “Like the waves of the sea blown and tossed by the wind”(vs 6)- Most commentators believe James in his boyhood days like many others in Bible times observed the nature of the sea. The wind which drives the sea first one way then another. He noted the waves were active, but purposeless and accomplished nothing. Like the Christian, we ask and doubt that He will receive. Jacob prophesies of Reuben “unstable as water” (Gen 49:4). Many Christians are like this, because they at times doubt the Lord. Circumstances drive us first one way and then another.

 

III.      A lack of Faith results in Nothing (vs. 7,8) “that man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

 

A.      Unbelief does not come from nor does it receive from the Lord. Like Peter who took his eyes off Jesus while on the sea, he began to sink.  Like the story of a woman who disliked the mountain behind her house and prayed God to remove it and in the morning declared “I knew it would still be there”. Belief  does receive from the Lord. However, some say “I pray but my prayers don’t get answers.”

B.      Let’s look at some reasons for un-answered prayers:

(James 4:3)-wrong motives

(Isa. 66:18; Isa 1:15,16)-wrong actions and imaginations/sin-“hands full of blood”

(Ezekel 14:3)- idols of the heart

(I Tim. 2:8)-fierce temper

(Matt. 6:14,15)-unforgiving spirit

(Luke 18:1-8)- we give up too soon/God’s timing-vs. 8

(Question: Can anyone give an example in your life of one of these situations where your prayers were not answered by God, you asked for forgiveness, and then God answered them?)

 

C.      vs. 8. First, when scripture talks about a person who is “double minded” this is in reference to the Christian. Those who do not know Christ as Lord and Savior are “single-minded” toward the world. There affections are set on the world and obtaining worldly goods and possessions. From our study a few weeks ago, we understand that if a man were to set his whole desire toward God and attaining His wisdom, he would be “single-minded” toward God. This person’s single desire is to please God and obeying His Word. The real problem arises when an individual tries to serve both God and the desires of his/her own heart. His/her prayers (relationship) with Christ are important yet he/she focuses on self. This results in focus without a whole heart but a divided heart.

 

1)      Result of double-mindedness: inconsistency (not genuine), not dependable, desire of the heart divided. . “Their heart is divided” (Hosea 10:2). “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (I Kings 18:21).

(Matt. 6:24) “No man can serve two masters”.

Victory or defeat- two things that will bring victory to the Christian: 1) Prayer 2) Faith. The lack of either will mean defeat.

CONCLUSION:  Is your life like a boat lost at sea in a storm driven by every wind of circumstance or doctrine? Have you ever felt like your rudder is gone and you have no one at the helm? The challenge in these passages is to fix your eyes on Jesus Christ. Take your hand from the helm and put it into His hand and He will lead you and guard and guide you through any of the storms of life any of us will face. You must have Faith, Believe, and Trust.