James: A Handbook on Holiness

Wisdom and Trials

James 1:5-8

General outline of chapter 1:

1. The Way to Holiness: The Divine Perspective 1:2-27

   1. The Trial-Temptation Complex 1:2-18

      1. The Confrontation with Trials 1:2-8

         1. Joy and Trials 1:2-4

         2. Wisdom and Trials 1:5-8

      2. The Range of Trials 1:9-11

         1. The Trial of Poverty 1:9

         2. The Trial of Riches 1:10-11

      3. The Outcome of Trials 1:12-18

         1. Confidence in Trials 1:12

         2. Defeat in Trials 1:13-15

         3. Victory in Trials 1:16-18

James 1:5-8

Ask for wisdom

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Ask in faith, not doubting

6 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.

7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Questions:

1. V. 5: When you lack wisdom in a trial: What words do you say? What kinds of harm may result? Why do you lack wisdom? How can you get wisdom?

2. V. 5: Is James saying God will give you anything you ask for? _____ YES _____ NO

3. V. 5: What does it mean to give "generously?" To give "without reproach?"

4. Vv. 6-8: What does it mean to "ask in faith, with no doubting?" What does each result & evidence of doubting mean, and what counterpart does it find in faith?

   	Faith	Doubting
   Results:		driven & tossed by wind: _____________ will not receive anything: _____________
   Evidences:		Double-minded: ____________________ unstable in ways: ___________________

5. What should you do when you next face a trial?