“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
The verse above is a scriptural principle that applies not only to asking for wisdom, but whatever we desire, we must believe we receive when we pray (Mark 11:24) without wavering to receive. Holiness is not a prerequisite, but faith is.
In James 1:7, the scripture refers to the person who wavers in his faith. Faith is powerful, but it can be diluted or negated by unbelief. The type of faith that produces results is an undiluted faith that is not counterbalanced by unbelief. When we operate in faith alone, it always works. That faith doesn’t have to be big; it just needs to be alone, without wavering.
Being double minded refers to a state of being undecided, wavering, or vacillating in one’s thoughts or beliefs. A double minded person is restless and confused in his thoughts, his actions, and his behavior. Such a person is always in conflict with himself. This person is torn by such inner conflict that they can never lean with confidence on God and His promises.
Double Minded Way of Thinking
Have you ever been double minded, thinking two different ways? Meaning that you believe, yet you doubt at the same time. Doubt and faith are not mutually exclusive. We can believe and disbelieve at the same time. That’s the reason Jesus told the ruler of the synagogue to “believe only” and his daughter would be raised from the dead (Luke 8:50). He could have negated his faith by having doubt.
Those who are double minded do not have the faith spoken of in Hebrews 11:1, 3. One part of his mind is sure of something, while the other part doubts. Jesus declared, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).
God and the things of this world are of such opposite natures that it is impossible to love either one completely without hating the other. A master is anything that enslaves us (Romans 6:16). Alcohol, lust, and money are all masters of some people. We can’t serve God and money at the same time.
Don’t get me wrong, God doesn’t want us broke, you can have God and riches, but you must only serve one of them. Jesus’ call to follow Him is a call to abandon all other masters.
Follow One Source, Jesus!
God asks us to approach our life decisions and circumstances following one source. He calls us to commit to faith in Him, continuously choosing to believe in what He says according to Scripture. Jesus called Matthew from the tax collector’s booth (Matthew 9:9). Matthew obeyed and walked away from extravagant wealth and dirty deals. Jesus called Peter, James, and John from the fishing docks (Mark 1:16–18). To obey Jesus’ call meant that they had to leave behind everything they knew, everything they’d worked for. We must deny ourselves and forsake everything else, no matter the cost (Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:34–39).
Opposing masters demand different things and lead down different paths. If we attempt to serve two masters, we will have divided loyalties, and, when the difficulties of discipleship clash with the lure of fleshly pleasure, the magnetic pull of wealth and worldly success will draw us away from Christ. The call to godliness goes against our sinful nature. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can we remain devoted to one Master (John 6:44).
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