“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."
James 1:6
“For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:7-8
Two Minds
If we doubt we won’t receive anything from the Lord? Really?
Really! And having two minds will cause instability and instability can cause disorder, discord, conflict and mental anguish within the soul.
Why?
Doubt holds up a STOP sign to faith!
And faith is the connector to God’s promise.
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, ‘Have faith in God.’ (One mindedness.)
“For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
Mark 11:22-23
Patience—The Supporter of Faith
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
James 1:4
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:11-12
It is through faith AND patience that we inherit or obtain the promises of God.
Perfect, entire, wanting nothing! Patience is a powerful manifestation of the ways of God.
Patience: to abide, to endure; active persistence and perseverance in well doing; patient continuance.
Patience will speak to your soul and encourage you not to give up: “Stay steady, on course, for your faith is working and soon you will see it!”
The completion of patience is the manifestation of the promise of God.
Endurance, Diligence, and Discipline
Endurance: the power or ability to last, continue, or remain; ability to stand courageously.
Diligence: persevering and careful in work; steady and consistent effort.
Discipline: training that develops self-control, character, orderliness and efficiency.
2013—Life in the Fast Line
Patience—Endurance—Diligence—Discipline.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not exactly seeing an abundance of these godly characteristics these days in government, business, schools, or even in churches. Many brethren are struggling.
Doubt, Double-Mindedness, and Unanswered Prayer
What would you say is the reason for doubt? Why do some pray the prayer of faith and then let it go without it being manifested?
Let’s target the main reason for being double-minded: the uncontrolled soul.
Jesus said, “By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:19
This is an inside job that each believer does for themselves. It isn't an automatic result of being born again. And it will always be a personal responsibility while we are on earth, just like brushing our teeth.
Your newly created spirit man should be dominating and controlling the soul, not the soul dominating the spirit. When this is out of order, life is out of order and there are consequences that come from this.
It is far better in the long run to bite the bullet, as they say, and get the soul in order with obedience to the scriptures.
“That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”
1 Thessalonians 4:4 KJV
The Soul—What is it?
1. Emotions-feelings
2. Mind-intellect-reasoning
3. Memory
4. Imagination
5. The Will
Feelings and Reasoning
Christians who are dominated by their feelings and make decisions based on their emotions will lead lives of turmoil, up and down, like being on a roller coaster ride. Feelings fluctuate and change continually for different reasons. I like what Smith Wigglesworth said: “I don’t ask Smith Wigglesworth how he feels today, I tell Smith Wigglesworth how he feels.”
The emotions have a powerful effect on the mind and can cause a Christian to reason himself into deception and being led the wrong way…even right into sin! Never base important decisions on feelings. We are to be led by God’s Word and His Spirit.
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
That means you and I have to monitor what we watch on TV and what we listen to in the world.
Memories
David, before facing the giant Goliath, remembered how God was with him when he was guarding his father’s sheep.
“But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
"Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"
1 Samuel 17:34-37
Meditating on past victories can strengthen patience and faith to overcome temporary trials. As David spoke about the past, his faith kicked in to “call those things that be not as though they were.” David saw himself as champion over Goliath before he ever killed him! Romans 4:17
People who are caught in this trap are like someone trying to drive their car looking in the rear-view mirror. They just can’t get to where they want to be. Accusations, guilt and condemnation are demonic strategies to keep Christians in fear and bondage.
Jesus paid the price for all our mistakes and sin in life. If you have asked for forgiveness,
Jesus’ Blood has annihilated them! He doesn’t remember them, why should you?
If you need to forgive someone else for an evil done to you, than do it! The devil would love to play that video and keep you in unforgiveness. Why? It will block your faith from working. And faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
If you are being harassed during sleep with unpleasant memories or fear, use your God-given authority over the devil. Read scriptures before you go to bed. Psalm 91 is a good chapter…the Most High and His angels have charge over you!
Imagination
A bad imagination is a thief. An unbridled imagination is like watching evil videos of your future. This is fear based. Self control is required!
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Your Imagination Needs Boundaries
We've all seen that unruly two year old throwing a tantrum in the store because Mom wouldn't buy him what he wanted. Hopefully that Mom is teaching him discipline and how to behave.
Your imagination can and should be continually supervised. Never allow your thoughts to run wild on evil images of your future. Counteract that by speaking scripture out loud…
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper!” Isaiah 54:17
A godly imagination needs:
The Will
Jesus is our example.
“For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38
______________________________________________________________________________________
THE HOLY SPIRIT—OUR HELPER
He will help us to overcome and control the soul so that we will walk by faith and not by sight. Circumstances will not cause us to walk in doubt and unbelief when the soul is dominated by our spirit.
We believe we receive! Contrary thoughts are cast down!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Praying in faith for the revival:
The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders
(This lesson was first published on August 27, 2013. I believe it is vital information for us as we enter into a New Year ... 2014. Let's continue to be doers of the word and not hearers only, and not double-minded!)
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:7-8
Two Minds
If we doubt we won’t receive anything from the Lord? Really?
Really! And having two minds will cause instability and instability can cause disorder, discord, conflict and mental anguish within the soul.
Why?
Doubt holds up a STOP sign to faith!
And faith is the connector to God’s promise.
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, ‘Have faith in God.’ (One mindedness.)
“For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
Mark 11:22-23
Patience—The Supporter of Faith
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
James 1:4
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:11-12
It is through faith AND patience that we inherit or obtain the promises of God.
Perfect, entire, wanting nothing! Patience is a powerful manifestation of the ways of God.
Patience: to abide, to endure; active persistence and perseverance in well doing; patient continuance.
Patience will speak to your soul and encourage you not to give up: “Stay steady, on course, for your faith is working and soon you will see it!”
The completion of patience is the manifestation of the promise of God.
Endurance, Diligence, and Discipline
Endurance: the power or ability to last, continue, or remain; ability to stand courageously.
Diligence: persevering and careful in work; steady and consistent effort.
Discipline: training that develops self-control, character, orderliness and efficiency.
2013—Life in the Fast Line
Patience—Endurance—Diligence—Discipline.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not exactly seeing an abundance of these godly characteristics these days in government, business, schools, or even in churches. Many brethren are struggling.
Doubt, Double-Mindedness, and Unanswered Prayer
What would you say is the reason for doubt? Why do some pray the prayer of faith and then let it go without it being manifested?
Let’s target the main reason for being double-minded: the uncontrolled soul.
Jesus said, “By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:19
This is an inside job that each believer does for themselves. It isn't an automatic result of being born again. And it will always be a personal responsibility while we are on earth, just like brushing our teeth.
Your newly created spirit man should be dominating and controlling the soul, not the soul dominating the spirit. When this is out of order, life is out of order and there are consequences that come from this.
It is far better in the long run to bite the bullet, as they say, and get the soul in order with obedience to the scriptures.
“That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”
1 Thessalonians 4:4 KJV
The Soul—What is it?
1. Emotions-feelings
2. Mind-intellect-reasoning
3. Memory
4. Imagination
5. The Will
Feelings and Reasoning
Christians who are dominated by their feelings and make decisions based on their emotions will lead lives of turmoil, up and down, like being on a roller coaster ride. Feelings fluctuate and change continually for different reasons. I like what Smith Wigglesworth said: “I don’t ask Smith Wigglesworth how he feels today, I tell Smith Wigglesworth how he feels.”
The emotions have a powerful effect on the mind and can cause a Christian to reason himself into deception and being led the wrong way…even right into sin! Never base important decisions on feelings. We are to be led by God’s Word and His Spirit.
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
That means you and I have to monitor what we watch on TV and what we listen to in the world.
Memories
- Good memories are a blessing and can be very powerful.
David, before facing the giant Goliath, remembered how God was with him when he was guarding his father’s sheep.
“But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
"Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"
1 Samuel 17:34-37
Meditating on past victories can strengthen patience and faith to overcome temporary trials. As David spoke about the past, his faith kicked in to “call those things that be not as though they were.” David saw himself as champion over Goliath before he ever killed him! Romans 4:17
- But bad memories come to steal happy days.
People who are caught in this trap are like someone trying to drive their car looking in the rear-view mirror. They just can’t get to where they want to be. Accusations, guilt and condemnation are demonic strategies to keep Christians in fear and bondage.
Jesus paid the price for all our mistakes and sin in life. If you have asked for forgiveness,
Jesus’ Blood has annihilated them! He doesn’t remember them, why should you?
If you need to forgive someone else for an evil done to you, than do it! The devil would love to play that video and keep you in unforgiveness. Why? It will block your faith from working. And faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
If you are being harassed during sleep with unpleasant memories or fear, use your God-given authority over the devil. Read scriptures before you go to bed. Psalm 91 is a good chapter…the Most High and His angels have charge over you!
Imagination
A bad imagination is a thief. An unbridled imagination is like watching evil videos of your future. This is fear based. Self control is required!
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
- Casting down imaginations
- And every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God
- And bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
Your Imagination Needs Boundaries
We've all seen that unruly two year old throwing a tantrum in the store because Mom wouldn't buy him what he wanted. Hopefully that Mom is teaching him discipline and how to behave.
Your imagination can and should be continually supervised. Never allow your thoughts to run wild on evil images of your future. Counteract that by speaking scripture out loud…
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper!” Isaiah 54:17
A godly imagination needs:
- To be ruled by scriptures
- To meditate on the promises of God
The Will
Jesus is our example.
“For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38
______________________________________________________________________________________
THE HOLY SPIRIT—OUR HELPER
He will help us to overcome and control the soul so that we will walk by faith and not by sight. Circumstances will not cause us to walk in doubt and unbelief when the soul is dominated by our spirit.
We believe we receive! Contrary thoughts are cast down!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Praying in faith for the revival:
The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders
(This lesson was first published on August 27, 2013. I believe it is vital information for us as we enter into a New Year ... 2014. Let's continue to be doers of the word and not hearers only, and not double-minded!)
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
