When he, the Spirit of Truth is come; He will guide you into all truth......! (Jn 16:13)
While it is a good idea to avoid heretical doctrine, unless you are called to write a refutation or apologetic; reading well presented offerings of viewpoints you don't personally hold, with an open mind; will either strengthen your position or sway you to the other viewpoint.
It seems to me that the Spirit of Truth can best guide us into all Truth if we choose to be teachable! I still firmly hold to most of the beliefs I held ten or even twenty years ago; but some of my eschatological positions have altered, albeit not drastically as a result of considering another position. I believe that Ja 1:6 speaks of wavering from faith, not of wavering from a doctrinal position.
Basically, I agree with you especially about staying teachable, but not so much with James 1:6 applying to the topic in the way you have used it. And especially on the Greek definition for doubt that you used in this instance at least as I read the Strong's numbers.)
I’ll open the citation out a bit for context, and apologize for citing from a study that I did on James back in August of 2011 rather than taking a “fresh run at it”. I would only be ‘Reinventing the wheel” otherwise.
It is interesting to note that Joseph Smith cites James 1:6 as his justification for the Book of Mormon. He reportedly he asked God for the wisdom to discern which church was the right one, and the answer was “None of them”. And as a result he received the “golden plates” and the means to translate them thus correcting the corruption done to God’s word by the churches of that day. (or so I was told by a Mormon who was trying to convert me).
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But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 NASB)
Verses 2-4: The word translated “joy” here means a cause or occasion for joy, even celebration. The word translated encounter (experience in some translations) means to fall into as to be encompassed, not something small or shallow, but into something deep and large enough to swallow you up whole.
We are to rejoice at our trials and tribulations, not our temptations. God sends trials to bring out the best in us, but Satan sends temptations to bring out the worst in us.
Trials are meant to develop our endurance, maturity, and hope. Therefore, they not only can be over come, they are meant to be over come. Given time and perspective, we begin to see our trials as having developed the sort of maturity, perseverance, and character that could not have been achieved in us by any lesser means.
The one who allows this sort of testing is our Heavenly Father. He allows only those trials designed to demonstrate to us, as well as through us, His goodness, strength, grace, and glory. (Romans 5:3-5; 1st Peter 1:6-7)
The trials and tribulations we face help us to mature, building us incrementally towards a more perfect reflection of the image of Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
Trials build the right sort of perseverance and maturity in us only because the confidence and hope that it builds in us is actually in Him, not in ourselves.
(Philippians 2:13)
As we are overwhelmed by our trials, we begin to see the limitations inherent in our own wisdom, understanding, and strength. As first in desperation, then with anticipation, we begin to call upon the Lord for help in dealing with our problems. We cry, "Give me strength", but increasingly also "Give me wisdom".
Verse 5: God is more than willing to give us the wisdom needed to deal with what ever we face. Because the wisdom of God is given to all with a generous hand, we need not worry about asking for it. But it is His wisdom, rather than the wisdom of this world.
God’s wisdom has an eternal perspective; He is an eternal God. It some times takes us a while to understand that the wisdom He offers is far better than the very best this world, and the prince of this world, could ever imagine.
Verse 6: We must ask in faith, without doubting. I need faith to access the wisdom to know how to deal with the trial I am facing. But the goal of the trial is to develop my faith. How much faith do I need?
And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9:23-24)
Jesus healed the boy immediately after that father’s statement/ request/ prayer. It is obvious, then, that we need only enough faith to ask for the faith we need. But we do need to ask in faith. (Hebrews 11:6)
One sort of doubt arose in Matthew 14:27-31 the word for doubt here (G1365) means: To (mentally) waver. Peter merely took his eyes off the Lord, momentarily wavered in his faith, during the storm, and immediately called upon the Lord for help.
But the word used for doubt here (G1252) means “to withdraw, desert, to separate in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, and contend. To be at variance with yourself, hesitate, and doubt”. (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries)
We have all seen this attitude in some people who are undergoing trials, blaming God, hostile, contentious, and argumentative. This person has failed the test by allowing his own bitterness and anger and fear to cut him off from God, the source of his strength, wisdom, and comfort.
Is it any wonder, then, that:
Verses 7-8 He is unstable because he no longer stands upon on the “rock of his salvation.” He is, rather, tossed about by a sea of conflicting emotions and desires. He is trying to get a solution from God that will fit in with the worldly view he does not wish to release. Some translations refer to such a man as having two souls, for his dependence is someplace other than upon God, the objects of his desires are other than those God wills for him.
This type of doubter has his eyes focused upon the storm, his pain, and fear. As long as he has that sort of attitude towards God and his situation, even should he pray it will be without faith. But God is faithful even when we are not, so if this type of doubter repents he is not beyond God's grace because his doubt no longer stands between him and God.
Edited by Tim Butterfield, 28 September 2014 - 05:16 PM.
