James 1:5, Does It Work? How Do You Know?

[JoReba]

James 1:5 KJV, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Does this promise operate today? Let's pray together for wisdom regarding a nitty and difficult problem we all face. Let's see this verse in action right here.

Please do not respond if you have some hairsplitting and "studied" response you feel compelled to talk about. This is about action, not just speculative talk.

Let's see who really trusts God's Word. Remember, two Believers agreeing on anything within God's Will are promised to receive what they pray for, according to Matthew 18:19.

 

[Tina]

The verses that follow after James 1:5 give some pretty deep "warning".


James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.



Praying for wisdom must certainly follow by strong faith. I pray for wisdom every single day. Does that mean I do not make mistakes in my decisions, ever ? I most certainly seem to. I often wished I had done that instead of this, or go to that place instead of this place. But you know, even in the wrong place at the wrong time, good things seem to happen. And I must also add that the decisions that I make today are wiser and neater than before when I hardly prayed for wisdom. Many areas of my life certainly seem more organized and less chaotic than they used to be.

God works all things for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

 

[Jman96]

The verses that follow after James 1:5 give some pretty deep "warning".


James 1:5-8

That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

I highly believe this verse means a lot here too. The person praying for wisdom does not need to say God promised me if I pray I will get it, but, if I pray and trust God with my needs he will hopefully fulfill them.

 

[WIP]

I would also suggest that our perception of wisdom very likely differs from God's perspective.

Tina, you pointed out that even though you sometimes end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, good things seem to happen. Perhaps the choices made contained more wisdom than you give credit? His ways are not our ways.

 

[JoReba]

The verses that follow after James 1:5 give some pretty deep "warning".


James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.



Praying for wisdom must certainly follow by strong faith. I pray for wisdom every single day. Does that mean I do not make mistakes in my decisions, ever ? I most certainly seem to. I often wished I had done that instead of this, or go to that place instead of this place. But you know, even in the wrong place at the wrong time, good things seem to happen. And I must also add that the decisions that I make today are wiser and neater than before when I hardly prayed for wisdom. Many areas of my life certainly seem more organized and less chaotic than they used to be.

God works all things for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Yes, just as I thought. It apparently is more important to lecture one another and talk, rather than undertake actual prayer.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Jman96]

Yes, just as I thought. It apparently is more important to lecture one another and talk, rather than undertake actual prayer.

Thank you for your time.

I think you are looking at this wrong.

 

[JoReba]

I think you are looking at this wrong.

I am sure you do think that. I also see you are unable to say how I am looking at this wrong.

Thank you for demonstrating the depth of your leadership in Christ.

 

[Jman96]

Wow, you sure are showing your love for others... By what I said is we are not here talking and lecturing. We are having a conversation that is trying to help with your Opening statement. We are trying to help.

 

[Tina]

Yes, just as I thought. It apparently is more important to lecture one another and talk, rather than undertake actual prayer.

Thank you for your time.

In that case, please post your thread in the Prayers forum instead of General Talk .... because that's what we do in "General Talk" section - we talk !



:biglol

 

[farouk]

Also:

"Thy will be done."

 

[Jethro Bodine]

"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 5 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.
(James 1:2-4 NASB)


Well, I can think of one 'nitty and difficult problem' we've all had to face recently in these forums...and it certainly needs God's wisdom to deal with.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

...that's what we do in "General Talk" section - we talk !

Yes, so let's talk.

I think the wisdom James is talking about is moral wisdom. The wisdom to respond correctly to our trials and testings. I think this because the wisdom spoken of in the OT is the wisdom of personal, godly conduct, not so much about the decisions we have to make about our lives.

This moral wisdom is found in the commands of God:

"5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.†(Deut. 4:5-6 NIV)

And he imparts that knowledge and wisdom to those who rely on him for it, not to the foolish one who will do whatever suits the moment.

 

[JoReba]

I highly believe this verse means a lot here too. The person praying for wisdom does not need to say God promised me if I pray I will get it, but, if I pray and trust God with my needs he will hopefully fulfill them.

Begin reading The Bible for what it says, rather than listening to intuitive notions within yourself.

Believers are indeed to reiterate to God what He has promised within His recorded Word. God has never said He will "hopefully fulfill" within His Revealed Word. What makes you think He has?

Lol.

 

[JoReba]

Wow, you sure are showing your love for others... By what I said is we are not here talking and lecturing. We are having a conversation that is trying to help with your Opening statement. We are trying to help.

Have you actually "helped" anyone, or are you just expressing your personal notions for the sake of mere talk? How have you actually "helped?"

My love for you and others constrains me to speak as directly and concisely as did Jesus to the core of issues. Does your love for others constrain your to listen with wisdom, or to merely react with your feelings? Lol.

 

[JoReba]

"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 5 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.
(James 1:2-4 NASB)


Well, I can think of one 'nitty and difficult problem' we've all had to face recently in these forums...and it certainly needs God's wisdom to deal with.

Did you wish someone to outline the "nitty and difficult problem" you referred to? Why be catty about it? Are you ... shy ... ?

Lol.

 

[JoReba]

Yes, so let's talk.

I think the wisdom James is talking about is moral wisdom. The wisdom to respond correctly to our trials and testings. I think this because the wisdom spoken of in the OT is the wisdom of personal, godly conduct, not so much about the decisions we have to make about our lives.

This moral wisdom is found in the commands of God:

"5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.†(Deut. 4:5-6 NIV)

And he imparts that knowledge and wisdom to those who rely on him for it, not to the foolish one who will do whatever suits the moment.

Yes, I agree that is what you think wisdom is.

Have you ever considered viewing wisdom as God does? James 1:5 says nothing about "moral" wisdom, yet you think it is correct to insert your idea into that verse.

Lol. Apparently, inserting the word "moral" suits the moment for yourself. Please describe how I am wrong if you are not inserting that word into the verse.

Remember, I Peter 4:11 KJV instructs you, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." It does not say, "Speak as the oracles of one's personal intuition and opinion" by saying, "I think ... " as you have done.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Remember, I Peter 4:11 KJV instructs you, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." It does not say, "Speak as the oracles of one's personal intuition and opinion" by saying, "I think ... " as you have done.

This is funny. One person in this forum says I have to preface my thoughts with 'I think'. You say I shouldn't.

“‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’" (Matthew 11:17 NIV)

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Did you wish someone to outline the "nitty and difficult problem" you referred to? Why be catty about it? Are you ... shy ... ?

Lol.

"23 ...I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.†(Acts 8:23 NIV)

Let's pray for God's wisdom on how to best deal with the offense you are causing in this forum.

13 You...were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.†15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (Galatians 5:13-15 NIV)

And I will say I'm very proud of how my brothers and sisters have been maintaining their love and self-control in the face of your provocations.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Oh, almost forgot...

James 1:5 says nothing about "moral" wisdom, yet you think it is correct to insert your idea into that verse.

Lol. Apparently, inserting the word "moral" suits the moment for yourself.

Yes, and the 'moment' has lasted for about 15 years now.

Please describe how I am wrong if you are not inserting that word into the verse.

I'll just describe how I think I am correct. I understand James to mean 'moral' wisdom because of how the scriptures of his day (the OT, particularly Proverbs) speak of it, and how many references to the OT James uses in his letter, and how it fits the context of suffering in the passage.

One day it occurred to me how often Proverbs speaks of wisdom as being the wisdom of God's moral guidance in matters of self-control, speech, etc., and how those decisions affect us and the people around us. Especially when we are suffering, as James' audience is, and are tempted to do evil to escape our suffering.

That is why I think 'wisdom' is referring to 'moral' wisdom, "and I think that I too have the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 7:40 NIV)