James 1:5-8 – If You Lack Wisdom

by | Updated February 18th, 2023

If we lack wisdom, James instructs us to ask God and He will give us all we need to deal with the circumstances of life. However, we must ask in faith, nothing wavering, trusting that God has given us the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding we have sought from Him.

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James 1:5-8 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Scriptures on Wisdom

Study and meditate on the following scriptures. They’ll give you much insight on obtaining wisdom.

  1. 1 Kings 3:1-15
  2. Psalm 90:12
  3. Proverbs 9:10
  4. Proverbs 9:8-9 (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
  5. Proverbs 8:11
  6. Proverbs 11:2
  7. 1 Corinthians 1:30
  8. Ephesians 1:8-9
  9. Colossians 2:3
  10. James 3:17-18 (Romans 14:18-19)
  11. Hebrews 12:14
  12. Matthew 5:9
  13. Colossians 3:16

Knowledge Verses Wisdom

There’s a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. There are a lot of people who have plenty of knowledge but lack wisdom. In contrast, there are those who don’t have a lot of book knowledge etc. but who seem to be very wise.

Knowledge sees a skunk and sees how pretty it is with its shiny black coat and white stripe down its back. Wisdom knows it can release a deadly stench and screams out loudly, “Don’t you dare touch it or even go near it. If you do you’ll surely regret it.”

Scripture comparing the two:

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:19
  2. James 3:17
  3. Psalm 14:1
  4. Romans 1:22

Context

The context deals with the need for wisdom when going through a test or trial (James 1:2-4). It’s easy to go off half cocked in desperation and make poor choices we’ll later regret and that very well might make things worse. It’s in these times we need wisdom from God.

It’s usually best not to make not to make rash decisions when in the midst of a trial or trouble. Take your time and proceed slowly. Seek the Lord and act only after He has given you clear direction.

There’s a vast difference between being tempted and tested. God never tempts us to evil (James 1:13-14). God only tests us to reveal where we’re at in our faith and walk. God tested Abraham (Genesis 22). Thus, proving his faith. If we pass a test there’s no need to take it again; If we fail a test, we must take it over again until we have passed it.

Obtaining Wisdom

The following is a clear cut outline one how to obtain wisdom. If we will heed the Word of God concerning wisdom we’ll receive the wisdom of God when lacking earthly and human wisdom. And let’s face it we all lack wisdom at times. The person who doesn’t think so is the one who’s truly lacking.

  1. The fear of the Lord – Proverbs 1:7.
  2. A Teachable Spirit – Proverbs 9:8-9 (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
  3. Abiding in Christ – John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:8-9; Colossians 2:3.
  4. Wisdom From Above – James 3:17-18 (Romans 14:18-19; Hebrews 12:14; Matthew 5:9); 1 Corinthians 3:19; Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:22; Psalm 1:1.
  5. Making the Most of Your Days – Psalm 90:12; Ephesians 5:16.
  6. Humility – Proverbs 11:2; James 4:9-10.
  7. Headship – 1 Peter 5:5-6; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 15:29.
  8. God’s Word – Psalm 1:1-3; Colossians 3:16.
  9. Filled with the Spirit – Ephesians 5:18-21 and Colossians 3:16; Acts 4:23-31.
  10. Ask of God – 1 Kings 3:1-15; James 1:5.

Ask in Faith

How do we receive anything from God? It’s always by faith. We ask but we must also believe and receive in faith the petition we have desired of Him. James makes it abundantly clear that we must ask in faith. If we don’t ask in faith we can’t expect to receive a thing. Ask God then move forward making the best decision you can trusting that because you asked He is granting you the needed wisdom.

  1. James 1:6a
  2. Matthew 21:18-22
  3. Mark 11:22-24
  4. Proverbs 3:5-6

Driven With the Wind and Tossed (James 1:6-7)

We’re often like the waves of the sea that go up and down. When things look good we’re filled with faith. When things aren’t looking so good our faith plummets. It’s incumbent on us to simply believe God no matter what our situation looks like.

Too frequently the church and believers are the same doctrinally (Ephesians 4:14). Every new teaching that comes along we bite hook line and sinker. This shows instability in our faith. We need to be sure and confident in what we believe based on the solid teaching of scripture. We must know what we believe and why we believe it based on scripture.

A Double Minded Man

Literally a man with two souls. Double mindedness can never expect to receive anything from the Lord. We’re unstable spiritually in our faith and belief. When we ask God for wisdom we must simply take Him at His Word that because we asked Him He will grant us our request.

  1. James 1:7-8
  2. Matthew 6:24
  3. 1 Kings 18:21

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