An Unstable Double Minded Man James 1:8

James, “the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, told his readers “not to think” they “shall receive any thing of the Lord” if they ask for the “wisdom of God” in a “doubting” or “wavering” manner. In chapter one and verse eight of his letter, James shared concerning the “unstable” “double minded man” where we read:

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The verse begins, “A double minded man...” James began with the phrase, “a double minded” which is the Greek word “dipsychos” and means “varying, wavering, uncertain, doubting and divided in interest” “man” or “human being whether male or female”. James referred to the wishy-washy divided mind of the person who doubts.

The verse continues, “...is unstable in all his ways.” James added, “is unstable” or “inconstant and restless” “in all” which means “in each, every, any, the whole, with everyone and everything” “his ways” or “his travels, journey, course of conduct, thinking, feeling and deciding”. The “double minded” person is “restless, fickle and volatile” in everything they think or do.

When we think through these words of James, we should never be like this “double minded man”. We must not doubt and vacillate between hope and fear when we call upon the Lord for His “wisdom”. We must be people of “faith” and “assurance” that what God has promised, He will do. This is the reason everyone who hears the gospel of Jesus Christ must make a decision concerning their relationship with Him. Jesus died for the sin of all the world, and He is willing for everyone to repent and come unto Him, however, whether they are receiving Him as Savior and Lord or asking for His “wisdom”, they must be “single minded” in their requests.

Next time James shares about “the brother of low degree”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.