Double Minded

James 1:5-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

This passage comes just after James has told us to be joyful in trials, as troubles ultimately make us more complete humans. However, James doesn't expect us to go through these trials in the dark, for now in vs 5, he recommends that we ask God for wisdom. The Greek word Sophia used for wisdom means clarity. In other words, if you don't get it and something isn't making sense - then ask! 

The visual for the next part is nice - this giving of wisdom is done generously - the Greek word Haplos literally means without folds, meaning nothing held back or hidden.  Clarity then unfolds around us, simple and frank without wrinkles.  Sounds refreshing, so how to get this wisdom?  Three things: We must ask, we must believe, we must not doubt. 

The first part is asking. This word is not a brief inquiry like other times the word ask is used in the Bible, this is Aiteo which also means to beg or demand. The tone is of a pleading nature. The request cannot be flippant, we must be sincere. 

The second part is equally important, to have faith or belief when we ask. The Greek word Pistis more literally means that you've been persuaded. It is something foundational to this pursuit, and we must be persuaded that what we seek is truth. 

The third part is the challenge for me. I've always read this as "doubt" being the opposite of faith, so basically not believing  But it is actually more complicated, the Greek word is Diakrino, broken down to dia meaning back and forth and Krino meaning to judge.  James is adding another dimension then by suggesting that those who waver back and forth in their decision making won't get wisdom.  The following visual explains doubt as being like a wave in a violently agitated sea, with the wind driving and tossing them back and forth. He adds more, saying someone who can't make a decision, going back and forth is really a double minded person. In Greek this is Dipsuchos literally someone with 2 souls. It is possible then to have faith and yet be still wresting with another belief. I think the easiest example of having two souls is our desire to follow God and at the same time still following self. 

Until we put to death our self will, self interests, etc then even when we plead for answers in faith, we probably won't get the wisdom we seek.  Is it because God won't grant it? No... remember he gives to ALL. It's because of us, as vs 7 uses the word "receive".  This Greek word is Lambano, which means receive and to take, with the emphasis on the assertiveness of the receiver. In other words, in our double minded state, although wisdom may be offered, we don't take hold or accept it. 

What's the ultimate consequence of not having clarity when troubles come? Being unsettled. This section ends with the words, "unstable in all they do". Turning to the Greek, Akatastatos literally is unsettled, and Hodos is a journey or path.  

Are you unsettled in your journey? Need clarity and wisdom to the nature of the events around you? Then ask sincerely, believing completely, without any back and forth internally. If there is internal wavering, where is the double mindedness? Most often it's our selfish nature struggling with the divine. 

Fear the Lord?

Proverbs 3:7 (NIV)

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

This is part II for the post Be Wise or Seek Wisdom.  It was clear reading through Proverbs chapter 3 that with wisdom comes great things. However, wisdom is a pretty nebulous concept. The post ended with the connection, taken from Job 28:28, that wisdom is fear of the Lord.  This idea looped us back to vs 7.  

What is fear of the Lord though? That phrase is mentioned 347 times in the Bible, more times than the phrase "Love the Lord", which is mentioned 219 times. It must be pretty important. 

Does the word fear imply terror or being scared? I have the image of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz approaching the great wizard for the first time. Is that to be our approach to God? 

Look at Psalm 130:4 "But with you there is forgiveness, therefor you are feared".  That doesn't fit with terror, why would we be scared of someone who forgives us?

A better definition of fear of the Lord comes from a quote by Tim Keller. In answering this very question he says fear of the Lord is "wonder filled, bold humility". In other words, we must acknowledge two very different truths. On the one hand we say "I'm a sinner, God died for me!"  This is a humbling realization, where we come to know inherently our own depravity.  Yet, we also say "I am so loved by God, that he actually died for me!" This is our boldness, to feel set apart, chosen, loved by almighty God. Both the humility and boldness of these truths creates the wonder and awe, the fear of the Lord. 

I believe for each of us, one of these concepts comes more naturally. By realizing which truth is harder to emotionally connect with, allows us something to strive for. This, then, is the wisdom we seek. The concept so valuable that to those who grasp it, much is promised. Proverbs 22:4, "Humility and fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life"  How meaningful, that these three elements; wealth, honor and life, are the exact 3 things that "wisdom" holds in her hands in Proverbs chapter 3. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes (humility), fear the Lord (grasp your sinfulness at the same time that you realize you are so loved that someone died for you) and shun evil. This is wisdom.
  
In closing, from Proverbs 2:9-11, "Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."

Be Wise or Seek wisdom?

Proverbs 3:7-24

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
    by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
    an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
    and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

This one in all about wisdom. What it is, and what is promised if we gain it.  

First, comes the warning; Vs 7 "Do not be wise in your own eyes" There are a few ways to read this.  The word eyes can mean 'of mental and spiritual faculties'. So one way to interpret this is, don't trust your own mental/spiritual faculties, you need to rely on God's wisdom.  The other way to read this is, don't be impressed with your own wisdom.  With the rest of the focus on gaining wisdom, this becomes the challenge; to constantly be seeking wisdom without regarding yourself as wise.  

The second part of vs 7 is the crux of the passage. "Fear the Lord and shun evil". Could it be that when we trust only our own intellect we lose fear (reverence/awe) of God? We'll come back to this vs at the end. 

The majority of this passage is focused on wisdom itself.  Think about the word find in vs 13.  When we find something, it usually means we were looking for it. 'I found my keys', 'Did you find that bill?', etc.  Find also means attain, so not only should we be actively seeking wisdom, we must gain it for the promises to hold true.  Interestingly, though the next phrase uses the word "gain" as in gain understanding, the Hebrew of this is actually defined as produce or furnish.  So it could be read, those who produce or bring out understanding.  In other words, this wisdom we seek must be shared as well. 

This thing, wisdom, that we should seek is described in unbelievable ways. Wisdom is more profitable, more valuable, more delightful (pleasant), more peaceful, more honorable, and long living than anything you can think of.  

And what are we promised if we keep wisdom our pursuit? First of all blessings or happiness (vs13) and vs 22-24 answer the rest with safety, lack of stumbling, lack of fear, and sweet sleep. 

Now, we know how wisdom is described, and we know what is promised if we find it, but what exactly is this wisdom we seek? Wisdom is often mentioned in the Bible along with the words knowledge and understanding, so are we seeking intellect? Vs 7 warns us against pursuit of our own intellect, so what, then? 

Job 28:28 says " And he said to the human race,“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” 

We come full circle then. These are the words of Vs. 7. Could it really be so simple?  It's a least a place to start.