Cease From Double-Mindedness In A Season Of Wisdom!!!

James 1


We are walking in today: Cease From Double-Mindedness In A Season Of Wisdom!!!

Witness shake throughout the Bible: H5128 nuwa`--to shake, cause to totter, to shake, disturb, to cause to wander

Psalm 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake H5128 the head, saying,

The Torah testifies...............
*****

The prophets proclaim..................
 Isaiah 37:22 This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken H5128 her head at thee.

The writings bear witness..........................
 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken H5128 her head at thee.

Psalm 109:25 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked H5128 their heads.


In the Sefer Torah (the handwritten scroll), the first letter of the word tamim (wholehearted) is written extra large in order to emphasize the importance of the word. Notice also the little word “with” that follows in this verse. This hearkens to Micah 6:8 “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Having a humble heart walks with the LORD. Humility begins with the awareness that 1) There is a Most High God and 2) you are not HIm. It is the practice of “knowing before whom you stand” and living your life in light of this fundamental truth.

The scriptures warn that a “double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). The word translated “double-minded” is dipsuchos, a word formed from “twice” and “soul”. The word describes the spiritual condition of having “two souls” that both want different things at once. It is therefore a state of inner contradiction, of having two separate minds holding contradictory thoughts. “How long will you go limping between two opinions?” Notice that the word translated “limping” is posechim, from the same root as Passover: How long will you pass from one thing to another? How long will you play “hot potato” with your commitments?

Having a double mind makes us “unstable in all our ways.” Such a cross-eyed approach leads to disorientation and confusion. The Greek word used to describe being “unstable” is the same word used to translate being “storm-tossed and not comforted”. The image of a ship being tossed in the sea pictures a state of distress and peril. Interestingly, the description of being “not comforted” is lo nuchamah, which comes from the very word translated as “repent” or “regret”. When we are double-minded, we are “storm tossed” and unstable to experience the comfort that comes from genuine repentance. We are like “a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).

On the other hand, singleness of vision concentrates the will and produces wholeheartedness, conviction, stability, inner peace (shalom) and genuine character. Purity of the heart is to will one thing.” “I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8).

The antidote for having a “double-mind” is explicitly given in the scriptures: “Draw near to The Most High and He will draw near to you, cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). Note that the verb used in this verse (“draw near!”) means to come so close to The Most High that we are able to “touch” Him-- and to be touched by Him as well. Drawing near to The Most High is The Most High’s way of drawing near to you. In other words, as you draw near to The Most High, He will draw near and touch you.

In practical terms, here are some specific things we can do to “draw near to The Most High so that He will draw near to you.” First we can simply pray and earnestly cry out to The Most High for help. The Most High is not indifferent to our suffering and has promised to give us the Holy Spirit to help us. But genuine prayer requires honesty and confession, which means agreeing with the truth about your condition. This means, among other things, identifying the ways you have withdrawn from your relationship with The Most High. Indeed, the word homologeo literally means “saying the same thing.” There’s little use trying to pretend before The Most High or to rationalize your own double-mindedness before Him. The Most High knows the number of hairs on your head; He surely knows the condition of your heart!

Second, we must vigorously challenge ideas that attempt to seduce us away from the truth and thereby divide our affections. We must learn to take “every thought captive” to Messiah and be on guard for subtle appeals to compromise (2 Cor. 10:5). If we find ourselves in a state of recurring temptation, we must examine the underlying assumptions that are at work in our thinking. If we dig deeper, we are likely to discover that we doubt that The Most High cares for us, or we are fearful that The Most High will not meet our needs. We must therefore counter such assumptions with The Most High’s revealed truth, and that means regularly studying the scriptures to remind ourselves about what is real rather than what is illusory. We then can learn to look at life as it really is- a spiritual world, a “valley of decision,” a corridor that irresistibly leads to the world to come.

Third, we can practice our faith by keeping up with Torah study, observing Shabbat, enjoying fellowship with other believers, singing to worship music, ministering to others in need, etc. These are the works of love in our lives. (John 15:22). Our faith is not meant to be a “head trip” or an intellectual exercise: we are meant to live it out in the world. And as we live it, our faith itself becomes strengthened and authenticated. Just as loving others increases - not decreases - the love we ourselves have, so with the practice of faith.

Finally, on a spiritual level what ultimately changes the heart is The Most High’s salvation, of course. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail” (John 6:63). This salvation is not simply freedom from the penalty of sin but freedom from its power. Heartache and despair can lead to “godly grief that leads to genuine repentance in our lives (2 Cor. 7:10).

Ultimately “Salvation is from the Most High,” and brokenness of our spirit is The Most High’s gift to us. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” This word pictures someone crouching as a helpless beggar, totally dependent on The Most High for help. If you are struggling, ask The Most High to help you submit your “heart sickness” to Him. It’s HIS work, not your own, that saves. The Most High alone truly changes the heart. Repentance is a miracle from heaven given to you, personally.

We must decide whether we will serve The Most High or Baal. We must quit “limping between two different opinions.” You cannot serve two masters. The Most High wants us to make up our minds. He wants us to declare our loyalty in response to His love. Now is the time. Today is the day.

Shema Selah, what is it that you are halting between?? Become single in your mind and focus and go the way the Most High is leading you!!