Asking in Faith

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

(James 1:5-8 ESV)

As believers, we know that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. We understand that it’s in no way dependent upon any inherent goodness we claim to possess nor upon our actions. In fact, we believe that we are completely undeserving of God’s forgiveness and salvation.

However, we often fail to realize that this is true of every blessing God has to offer. Every blessing he gives is bestowed only by his grace. And every blessing he gives is received only through faith.

We see, in the above passage, that this is true of wisdom. We are encouraged to seek wisdom from God when it is lacking. We are encouraged to bring our request to God, knowing that he gives generously to all. But we are told also that we must do so in faith.

We must ask in faith without doubting, James tells us. We cannot, at the same time, ask for wisdom and doubt that God will give it to us. We cannot, at the same time, ask for wisdom and question that which is given.

He goes on to compare a person who doubts with a wave that is driven and tossed by the wind. It isn’t the Lord that determines his direction. Every change of the wind, every change of circumstance, does so.

A person who doubts is a double-minded man. His thoughts not only reflect those of the Lord and his Word, but those of the world. They reflect the sinful flesh which he inhabits.

Such a person is unstable, lacking a foundation. His life is not established upon something that is sure. It’s established upon that which easily shifts, causing our life and our faith to crumble beneath us.

A person who doubts, James says, must not suppose that he’ll receive anything from the Lord. Because his blessings are received through faith, we are unable to receive them when we doubt. Our uncertainty, our lack of faith, hinders us from obtaining them.

Whatever we need from the Lord, be it forgiveness, salvation, wisdom, material resources, or strength, it can only be received through faith. Let us, then, present our needs to the Lord. But, as we do so, let us trust in him. Let us ask in faith without doubting.