Yesterday
We LOOKED at the command to ask God for wisdom, believing He will grant it.
Today
We want to understand what God means when He refers to the one who ‘doubts‘.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
If you don’t have GODcha Get It >
Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Before We Begin, Let’s Pray
Lord, we come today to Your Word, knowing You will instruct and teach us properly. Lord we come asking that You give us ears to listen to Your counsel and accept discipline, so that we may be wise, (Isa 28:26; Pro 19:20).
LOOK at What God SAYS!
Let GODcha steer you in your discovery.
Where will you begin?
Begin at the Beginning
Read James 1:5-8 again, asking the 5W’s and H.
You might read out loud as you will not only see the Word,
but saying it and hearing it helps you remember it.
Now, zoom in on James 1:6.
How are we to ask God for wisdom?
What is the one who doubts like?
Unlock the Meaning 
Let’s crack open ‘doubt’, a word that is 
Key to this verse.
Understand God’s Words 
But ask without doubting. . .
if you doubt. . .
Dictionary Tutorial >Oh, you are in for a great discovery.
Doubting, doubts, diakrínō; to separate thoroughly, to withdraw from; to hesitate; To be in strife with oneself, i.e. to doubt, hesitate, waver (Mt 21:21; Mk 11:23; Ro 4:20; 14:23; Jas 1:6.
Vines Expository Dictionary says: This verb suggests, not so much a weakness of faith, but a lack of it.
One author says it is pictured by the idea of divided in one’s mind.
This person is the one who is vacillating between 2 decisions or between 2 opinions.
A divided mind being torn in 2 different directions.
NOTE: The Grammar is present tense, indicating continuous, so this is talking about a habitual doubting.
TIP: Remember to take what you have learned back to the text, to see what it means in its context.
“But he must ask in faith without any doubting [habitually hesitating between 2 opinions, with a divided mind torn in 2 different directions],
“the one who doubts [who continuously hesitates between 2 opinions, with a divided mind torn in 2 different directions] is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
LISTEN. . .
Do I want God, but continuously vacillate wanting something else?
Is it a habit of my life to waiver in my trust and commitment to God?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
What Does God Say About
Doubters
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
And as we LOOK at these Cross References,
LISTEN to God!
Remember: THINK and REASON by asking the 5W’s and H.
What do we LEARN about the doubter?
1. The LORD: set before His people life or death telling them to choose life – to love the LORD God by obeying and holding fast to Him. (Deut 30:15-20)
We see: 2 Directions, 2 Opinions – Life or Death
LISTEN…
what might the Spirit be asking you?
Have I chosen life? Or, death?
Do I love God with all my heart?
What proves I love God?
Do I desire to obey Him, and hold fast to Him?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. Joshua: told the people to fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the other gods. They needed to choose whom they would serve. (Jos 24:14-15)
We see: 2 Directions – the LORD or Other gods
LISTEN…
Who have I chosen to serve?
Do I fear the Lord and serve Him?
If not, why not?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
3. Elijah said: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1Ki 18:21)
We see: 2 Opinions – God or Baal
LISTEN…
Am I hesitating between 2 opinions?
Why? How long will I hesitate?
Do I follow God? How so?
Or, do I follow man; the world; other gods?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
4. Jesus said: you cannot serve two masters. (Mat 6:24)
We see: 2 Directions – God or Wealth
LISTEN…
Am I trying to serve 2 masters?
Am I pretending to serve God, but really serve (devoted to) wealth (all kinds of possessions, earnings, and gains; wealth, riches)?
What are my idols? What am I chasing after that I can’t live without?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
5. Paul said: you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. (1Co 10:21)
We see: 2 Directions – the Lord or Demons
Understand: We commune with the one we worship!
Understand: When we come to the table to drink the cup of the Lord, we are communing with Him and others at the table.
“Paul believed in these demons; he called them ‘principalities and powers.’ (Eph 6:12) His point of view was this–an idol was nothing and stood for nothing; but the whole business of idol worship was the work of the demons; through it they seduced men from God. When they were worshipping idols, men thought they were worshipping gods; in fact they were being deluded by these malignant demons. Idol worship brought a man into contact, not with God, but with demons.” William Barclay
Understand: If we partake of communion and then we go out and worship the idols of this world, which are ruled by Satan who is the prince of this world, then Paul is saying we are communing with demons. (Eph 2:2); (Joh 12:31)
Go in and study it for yourself! Don’t take my word for it!
LISTEN…
Do I partake of communion, drinking the cup of the Lord, but I am living, drinking the cup of demons?
Or, do I run from idolatry? (1Co 10:14)
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
6. The Lord: will spit out the lukewarm people because they are neither hot nor cold. (Rev 3:14-21)
We see: 2 Different Opinions – Hot or Cold
LISTEN…
Am I lukewarm, understanding that God wants to spit me out of His mouth?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Hear God Speak
LISTEN…
Do I habitually doubt God? Doubt that He can, and will, answer me?
Am I a habitual doubter, not really believing God?
What will I do?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
READ James 1:6-7 Again
1. If you doubt, what are you like?
James 
compares doubters to the waves of the sea that are driven and tossed about by the wind.
THINK:
Have you seen the surf of the sea, how the wind tosses the waves, and the sea goes back and forth?
Have you ever been caught in a strong wave, tossed by the wind?
What is that like?
What happens?
The wind causes rising and falling peaks.
And the sea doesn’t get anywhere, and neither do you if you are in it.
It is unsettled, and so are you.
You have nothing to grab for security or stability.
It changes constantly, there is no consistency.
Don’t you feel insecure and unsteady?
What is James’ point?
Understand: Doubters are insecure and unsteady. Up one minute, down the next. Tossed back and forth.
Understand: James is giving us a picture of a person who lacks faith in God.
LISTEN…
Am I unsteady? Tossed to and fro?
If so, will I look to Jesus, ask God to erase my doubt, turn my doubt to faith?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. Is God bound to answer doubters? (Jam 1:7)
Doubters cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord!
We see: Doubt hinders. It prevents answers to prayers!
Wow! So strong and so sad!
THINK: If the doubter could only realize God is ready and available, and will liberally, generously pour out His wisdom if they would but ask!
THINK: If such a one could only set their doubt aside, believe and trust that God will provide what they need in their difficult trial and accept His provision!
That’s Enough For Today!
We’ll finish this up tomorrow.
Savor and meditate on what God has shown you, (Psa 119:15).
Remember our goal is not to race through God’s Word,
but rather to learn to engage with Him
and hear Him speak to us personally, intimately!
We are pursuing Him
and growing in our relationship with Him!
Chat with Your beloved Lord!
Journal Your Discovery in Your Notes
Take a minute to put the Definitions and Cross References not only in your Notes, but also in your hardbound Bibles next to Jam 1:6-8.
I can’t say this enough!
Video Tutorial > Notes Tutorial>
Let’s Close in Prayer
Perhaps…
OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN, I am in awe of all You are teaching us about our trials. Thank you for showing us that we need Your wisdom to respond as we should when going through trials, troubles, tribulations, sufferings. Oh Father God, help us not to doubt, to hesitate between 2 different opinions, when it comes to trusting in You. Help us not to be torn in 2 different directions, but to run to You. Help us to obey Your command to ask You for Your wisdom, in order to know what to do. May we ask, believing that You will be faithful to give to us generously and without reproach. Oh Father, may we go into any and every trial with Your wisdom. And Father, may we be willing to examine ourselves, and be willing to admit and confess if we are habitual doubters. Oh Father, renew our minds with Your Truths, and give us the unwavering confidence that You are there to help us. Encourage us not to grow weary in our trials, and to calm our fears. May we follow You, joyfully, no matter what. In Jesus name we ask these things. Amen.
We are honored that you are walking through this discovery. We continue to pray for you, and thank you for wanting to know God.
Next: we will LOOK @ James 1:8 about the ‘Double-minded’.
Need the GODcha Bible Guide? Go to www.godcha.org and subscribe.
This was a great confirmation for me today! The Lord woke me this morning and led me to understand my selfishness and the gifts that He has given me and those same gifts that I have taken for granted. Is it a coincidence that your first words were taking things for granted…… I think that was No Coincidence! The Sciptures were very cleansing today as I looked at the ways in which I am double-minded. Confess, repent and asking the Lord to do a mighty work – that my ways are changed! Keep it up Miss Janette!!! ?