James 1:5-18
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33) Both John and James agree that we all will have trouble. In James 1:5-8, he provides God’s answer for handling trouble, trials or tribulation. Be careful, I didn’t say fix them or make them go away, I said handling them, His way. He will provide wisdom, if we ask and not doubt.
Doubting God’s wisdom causes “double-mindedness” within us. We are tossed around between faith and fear, between everlasting and temporal. “Such a person suffers from divided loyalties. On the one hand, he wishes to maintain a religious confession and desires the presence of God in his life; on the other hand, he loves the ways of the world and prefers to live according to its mores and ethics.” (1)
It’s easier to be absolutely dependent on God when we don’t have much wealth, power, or influence. However; it is pretty easy to rely on ourselves when we live in this country with all that we have. Physical comfort can lead to spiritual poverty, but it doesn’t have to.
God’s standard for success or failure differs greatly from the world standard. The road is mapped for us either way, our choice. The crown of life for those that persevere, and death for full-blown sin.
Key words and terms: double-mindedness, faith, doubt, enticed, deceived, tempted, perfect
What’s next?
James 1:19-27 Hearing and doing….
1 – From Dr. Spiros Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary
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