Asking for Wisdom in Faith
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)
Continuing on the theme of overcoming external trials, James lists some resources that believers can access in order to overcome these difficult moments in life. In verse 5, James states, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” Remember that James was writing to a Jewish audience who would understand the depth of wisdom. From Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Wisdom is not simply knowledge and understanding, but a spiritual aspect gained from a relationship with God. Through developing a deep relationship with God and asking of Him, believers can gain wisdom and understand the purposes behind these trials and tribulations, seeing God work through these trials. And God gives this wisdom generously and ungrudgingly, meaning that He gives this knowledge to anyone who asks of Him and does so in a manner to help and not humiliate.
Verses 6 to 7 focus on the need for faith in prayer. “But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. The believer who asks of God for wisdom must do so without any doubt and believe. As Thomas Lea writes, “Faith is a complete commitment to God in trusting obedience.” James gives two reasons why faith is necessary. First, the doubter, the individual who fluctuates between faith and unbelief is like the surging sea, getting tossed around by the wind. Believers must have unwavering faith that God will respond to our requests and is working through the trials. Second, a doubting individual should expect to not receive God’s answer to their prayers. Just as it says in Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him,” God looks for those who diligently seek Him and will reward them.
Closing this section with verse 8, James gives a summarizing descriptor of a doubter: “double-minded and unstable in all his ways.” The doubter is constantly going back and forth between belief and doubt; at times obeying God and at times, pursuing their own way. This type of individual, though, will not be able to receive the wisdom that God provides due to their lack of faith, and therefore, will have difficulty in times of trials. As believers in God, may we be found faithful, trusting God during times of trials. May we ask for wisdom and guidance through prayer, knowing that God will give it generously and ungrudgingly to those with faith.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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