Double Minded?

Articles

Jay Guyer
02/16/16 - Character Traits

Double-Minded and Unstable or

Humbly Single-Minded?

“Let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (Js 1:7,8). At first reading it might sound like the Lord is unkind, uncaring, unwilling to help, when man asks Him for anything. Out of its context one could justifiably ask, “Why pour out your heart to such a God?” “Why think for a moment that He loves you and might understand the need you have?” “How can I be assured of any help, when trials over-whelm me?”

James has just encouraged us to look joyously at the trials of life, to expect our faith in God to be tested for endurance (like Abraham’s was), to allow that endurance to develop fully. In the process of being mocked, scorned, mistreated, cheated, and deceived, we should ask God in faith for wisdom to properly respond to those tests. And when I do ask in full trust, He will give to me generously without disapproving and finding fault.

However, if I question that He cares for me, or wonder if He wants to help, or think He might not understand my need, or assume that He is not really a friend on whom I can depend, or maybe, just maybe I should go this alone, then I am doomed to fail. It is with this mindset that I become double-minded, unstable in all my ways.

As I should love the Lord with all my being, because He loves me, so, I must lock myself into an absolute trusting relationship with Him and be committed without wavering as His loyal servant. It is with this single-mindedness, this devotion of heart, this careful setting of priorities, that He grants my requests for wisdom, as He did with Jesus. With His wisdom I am lifted up, strengthened, and carried safely through my trials. With my single-mindedness, He is honored and glorified by me as His humble servant.

Jay K. Guyer February 2009.

“Power To Become Sons Of God”

After saying that Jesus was not received by His own people, John notes that, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the power/authority to become sons/children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn 1:12). What a privilege! What an honor!

By accepting Him as Creator of the Universe, the One, who is the life and light of men (Jn 1:1-4, 7-10), one can be adopted into Jehovah’s family? Yes! By believing that the Word of God was in fleshly form on earth, all glorious and full of grace and truth (v 14), one can become His child? Yes! By receiving grace from His fullness (v 18), one can see and know God, the Father? Yes! By beholding Him as the Lamb, sent by Almighty God, who takes away the sin of the world (v 29), I can belong to Him? Yes! By imitating His baptism in water, Who fulfilled all righteousness (vs 30-32; Mt 3:13-17), I can be a son of the Most High God? Yes! What a privilege, honor, blessing and responsibility that brings to my life! What power!

Jay K. Guyer February 2009