Blown Away

Posted by Karen on Aug 12, 2012 | 0 comments

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… 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.” (James 1:5a, 6, NIV)

When we “fall into” various trials and temptations, it is how we approach the Lord for wisdom which determines if faith is going to blow away our doubt, or if we’re going to allow doubt to blow away our faith.

What is the danger of doubt? It starts as a hesitation — pausing before deciding or acting or choosing. If left unchecked, it grows into wavering — that is, hesitating after a decision has been made. The Greek word for doubt in this passage refers more to vacillating — that is, a prolonged hesitation; balancing between faith and unbelief, and leaning toward unbelief.

So then how does one “ask in faith”? The Greek word for ask implies asking with urgency, even to the point of demanding or pleading. Polite prayers are not going to get the job done! They may sound pretty in church, but God is waiting for us to call on Him with a whole heart.

“If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3-5, NIV)