Question about James 1..
My question has to do with James 1:5-7. Particularly James 1:6-7. I should have brought this up last Sunday, but I wanted to think about it some more on my own. Whaddya know–still have the same questions
So James says when we ask for something from God (wisdom, patience, peace, healing, etc), we have to fully believe without doubt. Then–this is what confuses me–he says we shouldn’t think we’ll receive anything from the Lord. I’m not sure how to be so faithful in my prayer, but not expect God to do anything. And I know I can’t will God to do anything, it’s not up to me, it’s all up to His will. I get that part (even though I always have to remind myself of it!) It seems like as I’m praying, I might keep in the back of my mind “not to think I’ll reveive anything from the Lord” even if I’m trying to convince myself that I’m also coming to the Lord without any doubt.
The verses in question…
Jame 1:5-7(NKJV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Check it out in the NLT, I think it is a little clearer.
Jame 1:5-7(NLT)
If you need wisdom-if you want to know what God wants you to do-ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
I think the key phrase here is “let not that man”(NKJV) or “people like that“(NLT). I think the point is, that those people who ask with a doubtful mind should not expect to receive anything. I think the hardest part of this is asking without having a doubtful mind. But the context of this scripture is in specifically asking for wisdom… something that James 1:5 makes clear is in the Lord’s will. Since we have a promise(John 14:14) that if we ask for anything in His name(nature) He’ll give it to us, we can ask for wisdom with full assurance that He will grant us that request.
Hopefully this provides some clarification…
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