(The color coding below refers to connecting, teaching and application)

 

James 1:2-4

 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

Breaking down this verse

  1. What:  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers," 

  2. When: "whenever you face trials of many kinds," 

  3. Why: "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." 

  4. Explained: "Perseverance must finish its work" 

  5. Purpose: "so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We have different reasons why we struggle with this.

  1. We are short-sighted.  

  2. We don’t see the big picture. Just like we may not take care of our health fully knowing that if we don’t take the medicine that we got from the doctor for malaria may cause us to die or be very sick. 

  3. We must look at the truth and meet the problem head on and not put our hands over our eyes and over our ears and in doing so ignore the truth. 

  4. We don't have a vision for what we look like as “mature, not lacking anything.”  We don’t have it because we don’t ask God for it. (James 4:2)  So, we don’t have that awesome vision of who we look like as a mature godly man or woman to inspire us.

  5. We don’t trust God that He desires and is able to mature us.

Looking at the three points above, how do we justify answering God why we continue to view trials as damaging to us when it is so clear that the outcome of the trial is maturity?

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Breaking down this verse

  1. Problem:  “If any of you lacks wisdom,” 
  2. Solution:  “he should ask God,” 
  3. Response: “who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
  4. Who does this apply to?  Any and All Christians.
  5. How does God respond?  Generously. That indicates we will receive more than we expect.
  6. Who does God respond to?  All Christians
  7. Does He hold back because of our failures?  No, He gives “without finding fault.”

We have different reasons why we struggle with this.

  1. We think we have all the answers.
  2. We don’t believe God will respond.
    1. Because we don’t see Him as personal
    1. Because we don’t feel worthy of His response

How do we apply this verse?

  1. Think of some significant areas where you lack wisdom.
  2. Don’t answer out loud. Can you think of at least one or two? 
  3. We’re going to look at a few areas of our lives for two purposes.
    1. So some, particularly those who couldn’t think of where they need wisdom, can see that they’ve been lulled into believing that they have more wisdom than they think they do. 
    1. So we can ask God for wisdom in these areas.
  1. These are examples of areas where most people need wisdom. Give thought to which of these apply to you.
    1. Living in a loving manner with your spouse, both in doing and responding.  If you’re married and don’t believe you need wisdom in this area, you are either mistaken or you should write a book.
    1. Getting along with others in general.
    1. Understanding the scriptures.
    1. How to wisely use time and money.
  1. How does God answer?
    1. He can answer you with what is written in the Bible.
    1. He can give you the answer in your mind or through another person. It is very important to test these types of answers.
      1. Does it conflict with the teachings of the Bible in any manner?
      1. Confirm with other seasoned Christians

 

James 1:6

  1. Before looking at the next few verses, silently answer a couple of questions.
  2. Do you ask for wisdom?
  3. If not, why not?
  4. If so, do you have full confidence God will answer you?

6 "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

Breaking down this verse

  1. Request:  “But when he asks,” 
  2. Requirement:  “he must believe and not doubt,” 
  3. Response: “That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;”
  4. Reason: “he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

Discussing the Topic

  1. Belief means to put full trust in.  There’s no place for any doubt. 
  2. Note the strong comparison, a wave tossed by the wind and God’s conclusion of double mindedness and instability.
  3. For those of you who don’t ask for wisdom, consider Solomon who asked for wisdom instead of a long life or riches; he was given everything. 2 Chr 1:10-12 Does that help you see how important it is to ask for what helps us help others? What do you value ahead of wisdom? 
  4. What benefit do you expect to receive from having those things if you don’t have wisdom?
  5. Do you know of people who have what you desire after but don’t have wisdom?
  6. Would you like to be their close friend or family member? 
  7. Do you expect to see them in Heaven?

“Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”  Prov 8:10-11

  1. Do you believe this passage?
  2. If not, then what is the foundation for your belief system?
  3. If so, and you have put earthly things ahead of wisdom, confess it right now to the Lord.

Now, on to those who do ask God for wisdom. Do you have full confidence God will give it to you?  If not, what do you expect out of God so you trust His Word, so you trust Him?