You ever wondered what James meant when he wrote, “… he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does?” (James 1:8)
Sometimes James sounds extreme because he’s trying to shake and wake us. I like that: “Lord, shake me to wake my heart up!” I don’t think James is not denying that we wrestle with doubts and weaknesses. I believe he’s challenging us not to settle, especially when the battle in our minds are real.
I’ve guided people sternly in counsel as a shepherd, “You gotta make up your mind. Decide to give your allegiance and heart to the Lord or the world in you will dominate.” I’ve been pastorally urgent in my counsel, especially in situations Christians are dealing with temptations, testing, trials and hardships. We all tend to grow weary and weak when encountering tough times. We tend to get sidetracked, even derailed, in our faith if we are not careful.
I think James is writing with this type of urgent, no nonsense tone, warning and directing people to choose God’s way. I know in my life, I need to be reminded, even challenged, where I’m placing my trust and allegiance.
I pray that during our ENCOUNTER gatherings on Thursdays, that we would grow as mānoa, mature disciples, who are doers of His Word, not complacent hearers. Love y’all!
