Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Wisdom if you want it

James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
  • When has someone asked you for advise but you knew they had already made up their mind?
  • At what point in your ususal decision process do you get God's input?
  • How does doubting have anything to do with asking for wisdom?
  • When have you asked God for wisdom, but were not sure you wanted His input?
  • How often do you believe that you already have the wisdom you need without asking God?
  • Why is it important to seek God's wisdom at all times instead of as needed?
  • How does doubting God's wisdom affect your thinking and your life?
Harold's Musings:
Every day we are asked to make decisions. Many of those decisions we can confidently make because of training or past experience. In other words, we do not lack the wisdom that we need. The context of this passage is about making decisions about temptaions and trials. Sometimes we have the training and/or experience needed to overcome the situation. Sometimes we are in a trial because of poor decisions on our part. God wants us to be more perfect and complete as His children when we reach the other side. He wants us to ask Him for the input or advice. He also wants us to act on His input or advice. He wants us to trust Him, not merely ask then do what we already had in mind. Too frequently the habits of making "right now" decisions at my job, home, or community take over in spiritual decisions. Then after the decision is made I ask God if it was ok. Hmmmm.... Think I've got things backwards.

No comments: