James 1:5-8 – If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
James is a book that doesn’t mince words. He is direct in his teaching, leaving little to wonder about. For someone like myself, who is a very literal person that would rather someone shoot straight with me than pretty up the picture, the book of James is a breath of fresh air. Sometimes, though, that fresh air is shocking to the system! Always good for the body, but sometimes difficult to take in.
Have you ever felt unstable in your walk with God? Have you ever struggled between faith and fear, hope and anxiety, believing and doubting? For most of us the answer is probably, yes. This is why we need wisdom that gets straight to the point, to knock us off our saddle and onto solid ground. Like a real friend that is willing to speak truth and not just what you want to hear, James is bold, refusing to leave any room for you to remain in a place of defeat.
Undivided loyalty to God comes with blessing beyond measure, and sometimes that blessing is in the form of wisdom in the midst of a trial. We are told to ask God for wisdom when we have no idea what is going on or what to do next, and that God will give it generously and never mocks us for asking. Hallelujah! However, let’s not miss the qualifier to that and find ourselves frustrated and questioning God and His Word when the wisdom seems elusive; “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.”
Trials have a way of exposing our hearts. All you need to do is look back at the decisions you are making while right smack dab in the middle of a trial and you will see where your faith lies. Consider your attitudes while you’re there because they too are revealing of your faith. This may be hard because it can look ugly, but it’s when we face the ugly that we can choose better and fight for the beautiful.
Don’t let one more day go by where your faith has left you looking like you just stepped out of a wind tunnel, exhausted from being whipped around, pulled between hope and fear. In chapter 4 verse 8 of the same book, James says, “purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” This can sound mean, blunt, or rude, or it can be received with gratitude because you know it is spoken with a heart to see you mature in your faith, receive correction from God, and to become a mighty warrior in God’s army.
Purify your heart. Anything that stands between you and God is not worth having! His Spirit, His wisdom, and His truth all lie in His presence. Don’t risk losing His presence for even one moment of satisfying your flesh. Whether that be appeasing your emotions, seeking wisdom from someone or something other than God, looking to be rescued from a trial apart from God, or simply entertaining or soothing yourself with worldly pleasures; it is not worth it! Like the father who brought his son to Jesus to be healed in Mark chapter 9, cry out to God, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Pick up your armor and fight the fight of faith, determined to resist doubt and wavering, and seek the Lord. Let God see faith rise up like a banner in your heart, and under that banner let Him come in with peace, wisdom, and security.
He is good, and He will not fail us. It’s time to do some spring cleaning in our hearts, to get rid of the clutter, the outdated junk you have collected over the years, and then fill that space with His Word, and with worship and praise. Let Him work alongside you and listen closely for His words of wisdom that He promises to give. The work isn’t always easy, but the end result is guaranteed to be amazing!
Let’s be mountain movers in the kingdom of God!