When you must make a difficult decision, you may follow your gut feelings, you may flip a coin or you may ask God for wisdom. While the last option is the best, is it the one you always choose? If not, this morning’s message is just for you.

Transition

In our text this morning, James addresses the subject of “Making Right Choices.” As he does, he tells us about the problem, the solution, and then gives us a warning.

The Problem – Lacking wisdom during trials

  1. Life is full of trials
    1. In verses 2-4 James described the first steps to maturity.
      1. Choose to be joyful during testing (v.2). Trials in life are proving tests. They are melting us like fire melts gold to purify the gold. We must rejoice in our trials because they are maturing us spiritually.
      2. Understand that proving is a process (v.3). Trials of life are proving us and it is a process. They are testing our faith in God to make is stronger. They produce a need for patient endurance.
      3. Never hinder the proving process (v.4). Enduring the trial is not the goal. Purifying is the goal. However, enduring is necessary. We must not jump out of the hot pot, but depend on the Lord to make us perfect (finished), and entire (complete in all parts), wanting nothing (lacking in nothing).
    2. Trials are part of the maturing process.
    3. It is during trials that many Christians make foolish choices. They react to the problems. Their foolish choices hurt their marriage. They hurt their family. They hurt their walk with God. They hurt their testimony. Do not make major decisions during a trial in life without crystal clear wisdom from God and counsel from a godly pastor.
  2. We often lack wisdom for making right choices
    1. When we are in a trial and the heat is on, our flesh wants to escape. God wants us to endure patiently until we are mature.
    2. During times of trial, we often lack wisdom. What is wisdom? Why do we need wisdom?
    3. Wisdom is the God-given ability to make right choices. Wisdom is the opposite of doing things our way. It is the opposite of making our own choices. Wisdom is far more important than most Christians think.
    4. Note with me some of the things God says about wisdom. (Turn with me to Proverbs)
      1. (Proverbs 1:33) Wisdom gives safety and quiet from evil
      2. (Proverbs 2:1-6) It comes from God and His Word
      3. (Proverbs 2:10-11) It will protect and keep you from evil
      4. (Proverbs 3:13) It gives happiness
      5. (Proverbs 8:11) Nothing is worth as much as wisdom
      6. (Proverbs 8:32, 34) It gives blessing
      7. (Proverbs 8:35) It leads to life and God’s favour
      8. (Proverbs 9:10) It begins by fearing God
      9. (Proverbs 10:21) Fools die for lack of wisdom
      10. (Proverbs 11:2) It is given to the humble
      11. (Proverbs 16:16) It is better than gold
      12. (Proverbs 29:15) It comes through parental discipline
    5. We need God’s wisdom to know how to make right choices in life, especially during our trials. One of the best decisions you will ever make as a Christian is to admit that you desperately need God’s wisdom.
    6. Note again what God tells us in Proverbs 2:1-6. Sincere Bible study is a key to gaining wisdom from God.

The Solution – Ask God for wisdom

  1. We must ask God for wisdom
    1. God’s solution is very simple – ask for wisdom. As basic as it is, we often have not because we do not ask.
      1. When is the last time you seriously and earnestly asked God for wisdom BEFORE you made a choice in life?
      2. When is the last time you searched God’s Word for wisdom BEFORE you made a choice in life?
    2. Before we will bring ourselves to ask, we must first humbly see the need for wisdom. Proud people struggle to admit to anyone that they need wisdom. Admitting the need for God’s wisdom may be your biggest obstacle.
      1. There is a huge difference between asking God for wisdom and asking God to approve our plans.
      2. If you plan, think, dream, worry, and scheme to come up with your plan of action, you will be like the fool who lacks wisdom.
      3. Those who go to God first, search the Bible for guidance, and beg God for direction and prudence in making their plans – get God’s wisdom.
  2. God promises to supply wisdom if we ask
    1. God is a generous giver.
      1. He gives to all who ask. If you are His child and you ask, He says He will give you wisdom.
      2. He gives to all freely. This word does not mean “without charge”. Rather it means sincerely or generously.
    2. God gives without reproaching. The word “upbraideth” is an old word that means to chide, defame, or taunt. God will not make fun of you when you ask for wisdom.
    3. If we will ask God for wisdom, He will give it. As I studied this verse, I noticed that God did not say HOW he would give us wisdom. He may simply give us special insight to make a right choice, but more likely, he will guide us in His Word to find the wisdom we need. One of the most helpful things you can do in life is to spend quality time each day in the Bible.
      ² Reading Through the Bible: I supposed I knew my Bible, Reading piece-meal, hit or miss; Now a bit of “John” or “Matthew,” Now a snatch of “Genesis.” Certain chapters of “Isaiah,” Certain “Psalms,”—the twenty-third, Twelfth of “Romans,” first of “Proverbs.” Yes, I thought I knew the Word. But I found a thorough reading Was a different thing to do, And the way was unfamiliar When I read the Bible through. Ye who treat the Crown of Writings As you treat no other book—Just a paragraph disjointed, Just a crude, impatient look—Try a worthier procedure, Try a broad and steady view; You will kneel in very rapture When you read the Bible THROUGH. —Amos R. Well
    4. We have His promise on that as long as we meet the conditions He explains next.

The Warning – Do not waver between two opinions

  1. We must ask God for wisdom in faith
    1. We must not have an unsettled mind as to whether God’s way is best. When our feelings or logic conflict with God’s Word, we must not waver between two opinions. We must trust the Lord fully.
    2. I like how one commentator put it. He said, “If a man wants God’s wisdom and he asks from God, then turns around and yields to the circumstances of life, he compromises God’s ability to deliver him through a trial.” – Gary Everett
    3. We must believe that whatever God promises, He is able to perform. Whether we need wisdom to know how to endure, wisdom to make a critical decision, wisdom to respond in a Christ-like manner, wisdom to deal with a problem biblically or wisdom to know God’s direction, we must trust God.
  2. God will not give wisdom if we are double-minded
    1. James describes the person who wavers between two opinions as a wave of the sea. Having lived near the Sea of Galilee, James had seen storms whip up huge waves. The waves are up one moment and down the next.
    2. A person with a double mind as to whether God’s way or his own way is best will not receive wisdom from God.
    3. How can we increase our faith? The answer is found in Romans 10:17. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Spend more time in the Bible where you will see evidence of God’s trustworthiness.

Conclusion

I hope you see your need for wisdom. Asking God for wisdom will help us through the trials of life. Have faith in God. He sees the end as clearly as the beginning. His wisdom is perfect. God uses His Word to give us wisdom. Our greatest need during trials is to spend more time with God to gain wisdom for making right choices.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Making Right Choices
31 July 2016 AM – James 1:5-8 – Jas16 – Scott Childs