Overcoming Double-Mindedness
James 1:5-8
Most of us battle double-mindedness from time to time. We have so much information available to us, so many sources of wisdom, books, preachers, teachers; it is easy to become uncertain about what is right, and what is a well meaning but misguided fallacy.
The problem is that according to James, that going back and forth will result in us receiving nothing from the Lord.
Some Christians seem to have made a lifestyle out of double-mindedness; every time you see them God has told them something new to do which contradicts His previous directive. It makes you want to take God aside for a minute and say, “Come on Lord, pull Yourself together, You’re all over the map and it’s destroying this poor fellows life.”
Of course we know God is not the one who is confused!
If you want to do Christianity a huge service, from now on rather than announcing your plans as “God told me” or “God said”, practice saying, “I believe God is leading me to such and such” - that leaves room for human error and keeps Christians from looking like nut jobs!
God is not confused; He does not want us to be all over the map either.
Overcoming it:
Get into the Word. The number one way God
will lead you is through His word. The word of God is more sure than if an
angel appears at the foot of your bed and starts passing out directives! Why?
Because our enemy masquerades as an angel of light and at some point will
produce lying signs and wonders to confuse the elect.
The Word however will not change, it is our anchor.
Psalm 119:105
Many Christians go to the Bible as the last resort when they are seeking
direction preferring to discuss things with friends or their pastor, which is
fine, but not in place of seeking God in the Word.
To be an effective Christian commitment to the Word of God is a must, to avoid
being double-minded it is essential.
You will learn a lot about God at church and through Christian fellowship, but
you will come to know Him through spending time in the Word.
A couple of tips:
Your preacher does not hear from God for you.
You should not play biblical roulette.
(Flip and stab method of handling the Word.) One young man was trying to
decide if he should ask his girlfriend to marry him, he decided to play
biblical roulette.
Proverbs 7:22
“Well that can’t be right,” he thought to himself, “she is so fine, I’m sure
this was a misfire, I’ll try again.” So he flipped again this time landing
on:
Proverbs 31:30
Do not “put out a fleece”. This is an
Old Testament practice which was okay for people who had not received the
Holy Spirit but which is inferior to the plan of God to lead us through
relationship, getting into the word and listening for His guidance.
Don’t fear; there is no irreversible “blowing
it” in God.
If you make a mistake, even a huge one, your life is not ruined!
What if I choose the wrong career?
What if I marry the wrong person and then compound things by getting a
divorce?
What if I go bankrupt or blow my inheritance?
Remember the prodigal son? There is a plan that starts from wherever you are
now!
Jeremiah 29:11
Am I really saved? I don’t feel like it.
Was my baptism real?
Am I going to make it, what if I make the wrong move and wind up backsliding?
Listen to me! God is not trying to make it hard. He has died to make it easy
to get in!
Rid your life of fear and double-mindedness will go out the window with it!
Matthew 11:28-29
Use your brain - decide.
There are many things that you do not have to decide about, things that are
clearly laid out in scripture.
You do not need to decide for example if you should leave your wife for your
young secretary. God is not leading you to do something that is against His
Word.
Some choices are left to you.
When you wake up in the morning, go ahead and decide which pants you will wear
for the day. You do not need to call the church, spend time in prayer and
begin a fast until you hear Gods voice saying,”Wear the Levi’s.”
Walk with God, and go ahead and use the brain He gave you!
Here’s one that will blow your mind:
2 Corinthians 9:7
Don’t panic if it looks bad.
Once you decide, once you make a move, watch what you say. Don’t dig up your
seeds with words of fear and doubt.
Hebrews 6:10-12
Some people do not get double-minded until after they have asked, received and
are awaiting the answer to their prayer.
Let faith and patience work together to get the job done.