HELP! WHAT DO I DO?James 1:5-8

Help! What Do I Do?

We are rolling through a series of sermons launched from the book of James

James is a book full of wisdom for Christian living today

Tonight we continue to look at the first chapter of this particular book

Last week we studied the topic of “Trials”

Help! What Do I Do?

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a problem and not known what to do?

It could be a minor issue, or perhaps one that is very complex

Many of us have had at least one point in our lives where we simply did not know what to do

Help! What Do I Do?

It’s nothing to be ashamed of…no one has all the answers all the time

The question we might ask is, “What do I do when I don’t know what to do?”

Sounds a bit confusing, but James answers that question immediately following his words on the trials of life

Help! What Do I Do?

1. Wisdom is the key (v. 5)

“If any of you lacks wisdom…”

What exactly is wisdom?

Wisdom is using the knowledge we have, properly, to make good decisions

Wisdom is understanding, insight, ability to discern

Help! What Do I Do?

1. Wisdom is the key (v. 5)

There are a couple of different kinds of wisdom as well (Js. 3:13-18)

There is the wisdom of the world or earthly wisdom

This wisdom is envious and self-seeking and will lead to confusion and evil

Help! What Do I Do?

1. Wisdom is the key (v. 5)

There is a heavenly wisdom as well

This wisdom is shown by good conduct in meekness

It’s a wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality & hypocrisy

Help! What Do I Do?

1. Wisdom is the key (v. 5)

The problem is we do not always possess this type of wisdom

That is why James begins by saying, “If any of you lacks wisdom…”

So what do we do when we lack decision making power?

Help! What Do I Do?

2. Ask God for wisdom (v. 5)

God is the supreme source of wisdom

James speaks in chapter 3 of “the wisdom that is from above”

We do not get godly wisdom simply from our own “smarts”; we must recognize the true source

Help! What Do I Do?

2. Ask God for wisdom (v. 5)

Before I read books written by man, seek advice from friends, family, elders, etc., I must first petition God

James says we should “ask of God”

God should be our first source, not our last resort

Help! What Do I Do?

2. Ask God for wisdom (v. 5)

We ask God for wisdom, not just because He is the true source, but because He “gives to all liberally and without reproach”

Liberally = freely, bountifully

Reproach = not chide or taunt or find fault

Help! What Do I Do?

3. Ask God in faith (v. 6-7)

We always want to know what the catch is on some deal offered to us

The only catch here is that you believe that God is going to give you wisdom

That sounds easy, but can be very difficult when we tend to trust in ourselves

Help! What Do I Do?

3. Ask God in faith (v. 6-7)

Do you believe that God answers prayers?

Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask, Seek, Knock

I John 5:14-15 – We must ask for things that are according to His will (wisdom is one of those things)

Help! What Do I Do?

3. Ask God in faith (v. 6-7)

Matt. 21:22 – “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive”

Heb. 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him…”

If we ask without faith, then we might as well not ask

Help! What Do I Do?

3. Ask God in faith (v. 6-7)

“For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord”

God blesses those who have faith in Him and His promises

Where is your trust when problems arise and you turn to prayer? (Heb. 4:16)

Help! What Do I Do?

4. Symptom of the greater problem (v. 8)

A lack of wisdom seems to be the initial problem (in light of trials)

However, there seems to be a deeper issue at stake here

“he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways”

Help! What Do I Do?

4. Symptom of the greater problem (v. 8)

A double-minded man is one who wavers or is inconsistent

He has no real principles but is influenced by popular feeling

This isn’t just a prayer problem or a faith problem

Help! What Do I Do?

4. Symptom of the greater problem (v. 8)

It’s a life issue; he’s unstable in all his ways

Quote from Albert Barnes…

We need to stand firm in the promises of God and put our faith in Him and His word!