Skip to main content

James 1:6: But Let Him Ask In Faith, With No Doubting


James 1:6
[6] But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (ESV)

Faith is a word that is used and misused all the time. We describe someone as having faith. Yet, it is important for that faith to be related to an object. If someone says that they have faith, the logical question would be, "Faith in what?" In this verse James is referring to faith in the divine character and goodness of God. A proper understanding of God's nature is the object of our faith.

If we doubt we are showing that we have a fundamental lack or mistrust of God's character and nature. It is also important to note where the source of this mistrust comes. Satan himself loves to instill doubt in our hearts. In particular, he loves to instill doubt concerning the innate goodness of God's divine nature.

Have you ever been in the midst of a trial and you find yourself questioning why a good God would allow you to go through the depths of darkness you are in? Perhaps you are even perplexed that you would think that way. This is not uncommon for the believer. This is the work of the enemy. Even the great Charles Spurgeon, known as the Prince of Preachers in his day struggled this way. He said:

"I must confess here, with sorrow, that I have seasons of despondency and depression of spirit, which I trust none of you are called to suffer, and at such times I have doubted my interest in Christ, my calling my election, my perseverance, my Savior’s blood, and my Father’s love."
- Charles Spurgeon 

Doubt is a dangerous weapon. It echoes the slithering serpent of the Garden. It says, "Did God really say?" It says "Did God really save you?" "Does God really love you?" "Does God really have a purpose for you in all of this?" Friend, God does love you. He does have a purpose. He does not revoke his salvation. Have faith in his goodness. Do not doubt.

If you are doubting today ask the Lord to help your unbelief. He will answer that prayer just like the man in Mark 9:24 who said, "I believe. Help my unbelief." Jesus always answers that prayer.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their