Ask God for Wisdom

                 James 1:5

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; (does not censure nor begrudge anyone for continually asking) and it shall be given hin.”

In Hebrew thought, wisdom was the ability to apply godliness to everyday living. Not merely head knowledge, wisdom was the practical ability to do the righteous thing in every situation. This is not the natural human ability (man’s wisdom) but God’s gift. That is why we need to ask for wisdom every time we need or desire to do the “right thing” in God’s way.

The word “ask” is in the present tense (continuing action) and means to keep on asking. He does not respond with, “Do you remember what you did with the wisdom I gave you the last few times?” There will be no lecture on how to wisely use the wisdom he gives. He is the loving Father who sees us as His children and He wants to give to us freely. He rejoices in our desire to do “the right thing” in His Name. Wisdom is available to every believer who asks, and it is God’s joy to give it.. He gives without hesitation and liberally (more than we ask for).

Please notice that James had received God’s gift of wisdom, but it did not make him proud. In fact, James described himself as a “bond-servant,” meaning a slave or attendant who has given up personal rights to become subservient to another. If you ask and receive not, it is because you ask for the wrong reasons, perhaps to appear wise to others, or to influence others to your own will and not to do “the right and righteous thing” (James 4:3).

But ask in faith, because one who wavers back and forth is a “double-minded” person, trying to look in two directions for help, and can’t make up his mind about which is best or what he really wants. He is “unstable in all his ways” (1:8). Only the person who has complete faith in God and the ways of God can ask in faith and receive God’s wisdom.

Doubt indicates an unwillingness to rely completely on God. Because of this reluctance the believer is deprived of inner peace, and is tossed back and forth between human wisdom and trying to rely on wisdom that comes from God.. Relying on our own wisdom is a selfish rebellion against the will and purpose of God and is therefore sin. Do the right thing, and ask God for the wisdom to do so.