Pastor Steve's Sermon Notes
September 8, 2002

Life is full of decisions and life is basically a series of choices we make every day. We have to evaluate, decide, draw conclusions. The quality of your life will be determined by the kind of decisions you make in life. Life is full of choices. James talks about how to make decisions. How do you make up your mind? He gives us the problem, then he gives us the prescription, then he gives us the promise from God:

THE PROBLEM: INDECISION

Verse 8: “A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways.” In Greek, the word “double-minded” literally means “two-souled”: pulled apart in different directions, divided loyalties, divided priorities. Double-mindedness is devastating, debilitating. It makes you unstable. The word is translated “confused” in many parts of the Bible. It's used to describe a drunk who's staggering, reeling, unstable in all his ways. James is saying, “If you can't make up your mind it produces an unstable lifestyle. All your ways will be unstable. Constant turmoil.”

Three Ways Indecision Makes You Unstable:

Unstable emotions. It creates emotional instability in your life when you can't make up your mind.

Unstable relationships. Lack of commitment destroys relationships. Instability in relationships.

Unstable spiritual life. (verse 7) “That man will not think that he'll receive anything from the Lord.” It blocks your prayers. Indecision keeps God from giving and you from receiving what God has to offer. Double-mindedness produces a double life. It causes instability in all of your ways. It produces an unstable lifestyle.

THE PRESCRIPTION: WISDOM

Vs. 5: “If any of you lacks wisdom you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.”

Three Practical Steps To Receive Wisdom:

Admit Your Need. Wisdom is different from knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge put into practice. Wisdom is seeing life from God's point of view. Wisdom is making decisions the way God would make decisions.

Ask For Wisdom. Pray to God. Talk to Him. The Bible says you get wisdom by asking God.

Anticipate It. Expect an answer in faith. If you want wisdom—first you've got to ask the right Person. Then you've got to ask the right way—in faith, believing, not doubting. This means the key to wisdom is prayer, the condition is faith.

THE PROMISE: GOD WILL GIVE IT!

“…and it will be given to him.” (vs.5) God wants to give you wisdom. Look how God says He'll give wisdom:

Continually. “Ask God who gives...” In the Greek that is in the continuous tense. He keeps on giving.

Generously. His resources are unlimited. He has enough resources for everybody. He's got plenty.

Cheerfully. “Without finding fault.” God gives cheerfully. He loves to give. It's His nature to give. God does not resent your asking for wisdom. He is pleased when you ask.

Some final truths we glean from James about decision-making:

God does not want to make the decision for you.

God's wisdom is found in God's Word.

You will live your life either by chance or by choice.

West Phoenix Baptist Church

4449 W. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85031
Phone: 602-278-4012
Fax: 602-272-4672
E-mail: information@westphoenix.org