James 1:5-8, Part 1

[Hidden In Him]

Outsmarting The Enemy, By Receiving Wisdom From God, Part 1

                 

     As covered in the first two studies, God calls the faithful to endure various trials and testings in this life. The reason is because we have a spiritual enemy who attempts to overcome us with evil, so we have to be prepared to withstand his attacks. Ultimately, Satan would like to cause us to abandon faith in God altogether, believing that He is somehow against us. If not, however, Satan will at least try to get us to retaliate against others, hoping we allow a spirit of bitterness and resentment to take up permanent residence within our hearts. But God's objective is the opposite. He desires to deposit within us a Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience and kindness, such that we may in turn instill this same Spirit in others. But to do so requires wisdom, and speaking to others in ways that will soften their hearts rather than harden them. It's what scripture refers to as "turning away wrath" through the use of well-chosen words, and the apostle Peter referred to it as overcoming evil with good, by understanding the enemy's tactics and thwarting what he was attempting to do.
     This, then, is what James was advising his readers to do. When they encountered various trials and sufferings, they needed to seek God for wisdom. Wisdom would enable them to respond in ways that helped their situation rather than hurt it, for in enduring things like financial exploitation, spiritual belittlement, or personal insults, there were both wise and foolish ways to respond. What the evil spirits were looking for was for believers to respond in anger, hatred or resentment, for they could then make believers look as if they deserved the mistreatment they were receiving. This could potentially created an intolerable situation. But by restraining themselves and appealing to the Lord for wisdom, believers could receive the revelation they needed to know exactly what to do and when to do it, what to say and how to say it, to turn the situation for good and keep Satan from gaining the upper hand:

     My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your faith builds up endurance. But let endurance have its perfected work, that you reach full potential and development, not falling short in any circumstance. But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who with simplicity gives wisdom to all men and does not bring reproach, and it shall be given unto him. (James 1:2-5)

     The concept of overcoming evil with good can be found throughout scripture. As was taught in the proverbs, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). This is why the apostle Paul likewise taught never to return evil for evil, for this is what the Devil will use our "enemies" to try and get us to succumb to:

     Bless those who persecute you. Bless, and do not curse... Recompense evil for evil to no one, providing good conduct in the sight of all men, if possible, from yourselves [at least], living peaceably with all men, not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath. For it has been written, "Vengeance is Mine. I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy should hunger, feed him. If he should thirst, give him something to drink… [and] be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14, 17-21)

     Paul not only taught this but lived it out by example, as some of the statements about enduring religious and political oppression made clear:

     For I think that God has set us forth the apostles last, as men condemned to death. For we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men... To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, are insufficiently clothed, receive beatings, and wander homeless. But we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless. Being persecuted, we forbear. Being defamed, we encourage. (1 Corinthians 4:11-12)
 
     But as for exactly what kind of words believers should speak, and what sort of answers they should give, each situation called for a unique response. Whether enduring interrogation, religious intimidation, public humiliation or any other kind of trial, they all needed very specific wisdom from God to turn away wrath by responding wisely. But James also knew there were certain obstacles standing in the way of many to receiving it; certain mentalities that would have to be addressed before they could believe God would hear and answer them. So he would start by addressing these mindsets next.


Self-Incrimination: An Obstacle To Receiving Wisdom

     Based on the mentality of the day, poorer Jews who were financially and socially disadvantaged often lacked confidence in God. The reason is that, during New Testament times, assumptions were frequently being made based on two things: 1. a person's financial standing, and 2. his religious and social standing in the community. The rich were presumed to be "righteous" and the poor were "lowly" and accursed.
     That this mentality was prevalent at the time is clear in how the disciples responded to Jesus when He attempted to teach them about how hard it would be for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven:

     And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you that hardly shall a rich man enter into the kingdom of Heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." And having heard this, the disciples were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" (Matthew 19:23-25)

     Notice, they didn't say, "Yeah. Those rich guys are in trouble." They were shocked by His teaching, and responded by saying, "If the rich can't even get in, then who in the world can?"
     This commonly-accepted mindset caused many of the poorer Jews to become psychologically conflicted over whether they were truly "blessed of God" or not, and thus "worthy" enough to receive wisdom from Him. The richer brothers were obviously walking closer to God, based on how He had blessed them, so poorer brothers were assumed to be engaging in some form of sin that was keeping them impoverished. James understood that this assumption might be giving some a complex, thinking, "Maybe my sins will keep me from receiving wisdom from God."
     So James now warned them that God did NOT operate this way, but generously gave wisdom to all who asked Him for it, and "with simplicity," which mean He didn't take a lot of time worrying about what sins they might have committed. There was one thing they did need to make sure of, however, and that was this: They needed to stay in faith that God would be giving it to them. If they gave themselves over to having doubts, eventually their faith would be toppled, and they would never receive what they were asking for.

     If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who with simplicity gives wisdom to all men and does not bring reproach, and it shall be given unto him. But let him ask in faith, making no distinctions, for the man who makes distinctions is like a wave of the sea being driven by wind and tossed. Let not that man suppose he shall obtain anything from the Lord, being a psychologically conflicted man, and mentally restless in all his ways. (James 1:6-9)

     Most translations use the translation here of such a man being "double-minded," but this unfortunately leaves a little out. The actual Greek word used for that term was δίψυχος, which meant literally that a person was "two-souled." In other words, they were essentially manifested two different personalities before God. One believed Him for wisdom, seeing himself as "worthy," yet the next day the other one would manifest, and view himself as just the opposite. James was saying not to approach God with two different self-images, because such a person would not be able to stand firm in faith, and be persistent enough to receive wisdom from God.
     Again, the "distinctions" Jewish believers could potentially make had to do with their social and financial status, because the poor often viewed themselves as spiritual inferiors in light of it. But in essence, Satan had set up a kind of caste system mentality within Judaism, where the poor saw themselves as of less value in the eyes of God. This is why James would now begin to invert this mindset on its head, and teach that it was actually the poor who were actually more "exalted" in the eyes of God:

     But let the lowly brother boast in his exalted status, and the rich man in his lowly status, for like the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun arose with the scorching wind and withered the grass, and its flower fell out, and the beauty of its appearance perished. So also shall the rich man die away in the midst of his travels. (James 1:10-11)

     The truth was that not everyone who was rich had gotten there because they had been righteous before God, and time would eventually bear this out. But regardless of a person's financial status, everyone who believed in the Lord Christ Jesus needed to walk in the mentality that they would be receiving wisdom from God. If they started believing they simply weren't "righteous" enough, they would fall victim to doubts and end up talking themselves out of ever hearing from God.


Similar Obstacles Exist For Many Today

                                         

     There is a promise of God contained in scripture for those who are strong in faith. It doesn't matter who you are, you can trust God to speak to you, and even receive His help regarding many things if you are walking closely enough to Him, know His will, and are asking for things according to it. It goes like this:

     My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him... and if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. (1 John 3:18-22)

     Unfortunately, there are many today who are weak in faith, and Satan still has them in a place where they are struggling to believe God for answered prayer, although it should be noted that sometimes they've had a lot of help getting there. The enemy tears them down over a guilty conscience, and they are plagued by a very bad self-image.
     Sometimes even church leadership can make them feel condemned, and sometimes these leaders don't even realize they are doing it. I've seen pastors paint themselves as the solution to everyone's problem, insinuating that all their congregations needed to do was just seek them for the answers. I once attended a church where the motto, "Walking with God, walking with you" was pasted over the platform for all to see. It seemed innocent enough at the time, but after spending time with that church and its pastor, it eventually revealed itself to mean, "You don't need to hear from God yourself. We walk with Him and we can hear from Him clearly. All you need to do is come to us and we will tell you what to do."
     However well intended, this approach is actually lethal to the spiritual welfare of God's children. Being able to hear from Him personally is vital to having a truly strong relationship with Him, and any mentality which attempts to usurp this relationship should be viewed as a threat, for it actually weakens a person spiritually to the place where they eventually become dependent upon others instead of being able to go directly to God themselves.
     Numerous articles have been written on this mentality, and how it is most pronounced within certain cults, where the real goal is not to help others draw closer to God but to eventually exercise complete control over them spiritually instead:

     In a manipulative church, the pastor or senior leaders have subtly positioned themselves to take the place of the Holy Spirit in people's lives… People in a controlling church are often told they cannot leave the church with God's blessing unless the pastor approves the decision. They are warned that if they don’t follow the pastor’s guidance, not only will God not bless them, but they will also bring a curse upon themselves or their family. (Beware Of "Spiritual Abuse," Craig von Buseck, CBN)

     Such brainwashing slowly destroys the confidence believers have in their own relationship with God. As a result, their faith in their own ability to hear from Him grows weaker with every day they remain in such surroundings:

     When we pursue the honor of men, we do so at the expense of our relationship with God. If we continue to do so, gradually men will take the place of God in our lives. An unhealthy soul tie is created, and our sense of confidence is determined by our standing with those in leadership. This kind of control will destroy people spiritually. A true shepherd will use his influence to draw church members into a close relationship with Jesus, who is the only "Head of the church."
     Pastors operating under a spirit of control are often convinced that they are the only ones who can accurately hear from God. Under the constant exposure to this spirit, members often become convinced that they indeed need their pastor to think for them. In essence, their personal fellowship with the Lord has been abdicated for a relationship with a man. As a result, they lose their confidence in being able to discern the will of God for their lives. (Warning Signs of Spiritual Abuse, Part Two, Mike Fehlauer, CBN)

     This is not entirely the fault of manipulative and controlling pastors, however. As another article states, many believers simply find it easier to entrust their lives to others, hoping to relieve themselves of all responsibility before God by doing so: 

     Too many sheep do not believe that God still guides His people today through the means of prayerful meditation upon the Word of God and the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is easier for the flesh to suspend the use of spiritual faculties and scriptural means of guidance for the short-cut of asking the leader to determine God’s will and make the decisions all the time. It is not surprising that sheep who put men on pedestals, who cravenly serve men and who do not believe that God still guides [believers personally] will fall prey to abusive shepherds… Perhaps, some of the time, authoritarian shepherds are God’s chastening rods on the backs of idol-worshipping, men-pleasing, unbelieving sheep who will not have God to be their God but who substitute a mere creature in His place. (Authoritarianism In The Church, Steve Martin, Founders.Org)

     As a result, every believer must develop confidence in his or her own relationship with the Lord, and cease from being a creature of doubt to becoming one whose confidence in their relationship with Him enables them to "come boldly before the throne of God, and truly receive grace in a time of need" (Hebrews 4:16)


Questions and Applications

1. Think back to situation you found to be very "trying" on your patience, one where you eventually got angry and lashed out. If you had to do it over again, how might you do things differently? In other words, provide an instance and then discuss it.

2. Do you feel like God hears your prayers? And if you don't, why not? Are there things affecting your confidence before God, and your ability to receive wisdom from Him?

3. There is a movement within Christianity called "Faith Theology," which teaches that you can believe God for anything, including a Rolls Royce if you truly wanted one. Do you believe this passage can be used to support that belief? Explain why you think so either way.



Links To Web Articles:

http://www1.cbn.com/biblestudy/beware-of-%26quot%3Bspiritual-abuse%26quot%3B
http://www1.cbn.com/warning-signs-of-spiritual-abuse-part-two
http://founders.org/fj15/authoritarianism-in-the-church/