Lesson 9 May 23

Summary 1:5 

1. The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom.  Prov.  9:10; 1:7; 15:33; Psa. 111:10-112:1

 

2. The source of this wisdom is God.  Prov 2:6-10

 

3. If we're to realize this wisdom we must have attentive ears, that is positive volition.

- Prov 2:2

 

4. Wisdom brings inner happiness. (Can't be said of money/material things)  Therefore is of great value to the believer. Prov 3:13

 

5. Note: James doesn't say when your facing that test to pray that it will go away - to keep you from hurting.

- Need to pray for the wisdom and understanding needed to effectively handle the situation and glorify God in it.

 

6. This verse is an encouragement pointing out that we don't have to be out of step spiritually for life, need not be lacking the DOA's . 

 

7. You will acquire this wisdom as you continually put yourself under God's will, therefore His thinking which Biblically we learn comes through face to face teaching, study of Word. 

 

There is chain of command established by God for the spiritual advance of believers in the Church age.

 

Your prayer for spiritual advancement guarantees you will have many opportunities to refine your faith as you are taught the Word of God. 

 

How we request wisdom!  Our attitude in the asking!

1:6   But let him ask in faith 

 

- Prayer is to conform to certain standards, if one expects God to hear and respond to it.

       Always we are to pray:

       (#1)  to God the Father

       (#2)  In the power of the Holy Spirit  - pray at all times in the Spirit   - Eph 6:18

       (#3)  in the name of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

in faith   - en + loc of sphere of  pi,stij =   in the sphere of faith 

- It describes the sphere of belief - trust - confidence in God's ability to come through despite our real or imagined short comings.

 

without any doubting   mhde.n  - in no way;  diakri,nw - Pres mid ptc = to separate, distinguish between two things

- What's in view here with the negative: to be undecided; divided in one's own mind;  therefore to hesitate; to waver between two opinions.

 

 

- Doubt  expressed is unbelief and Paul says it is sin - Rom 14:23 positive example is seen in Rom 4:19-20 of Abe.

 

 

*** Faith and doubt cannot reside at the same time. ***

 

 

For the one who doubts   

 

 

is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind   -

The picture of the sea painted here by James is one of instability and restlessness. In the same way James is portraying the doubting believer. 

 

He lacks the wisdom that he desperately needs to give direction to his life.  But because this believer doubts God's wisdom he is as insecure and unsteady as a boat rocked in turbulent seas.

 

1:6   But let him keep on asking in the sphere of faith (believing)  without any doubting for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea being driven and tossed by the wind. 

 

Summary 1:6

1.  Even if we're praying for what is cmd'd by God, here wisdom, and our MA is not correct, that is, we're not in fellowship, that prayer will not be heard and answered.

 

2.  What's the problem with acquiring wisdom, advancing in doctrine?   It's not with God, He is faithful to provide, the breakdown is with us.

 

3. Doubt causes the failure to receive the answer.

 

 

 

 

4. The direct result of doubting God, disputing with the N & S of BD is instability, vacillating, and living by your emotions.