THE INCONSISTENCY OF THE DOUBLE MINDED MAN
By Ken Blue
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8.
James is showing the importance of faith in God’s faithfulness when one is praying. There is no reason to doubt God’s goodness, presence, ability, or love. We must be steadfast in these truths when praying.
However, the malady of the double minded man not only manifests itself in his prayer life; it contaminates all his decisions. The double minded man has difficulty following through on any decision. His only consistency is his inconsistency. He does not see two things that are identical, he see two different options, and can’t stick with either one.
Every church has some of these confused souls. They commit to becoming a member of the choir, but at practice time, find excuses why they did not show up. Others respond in a revival meeting to go to Bible College and prepare for the ministry, but circumstances are never “just right” for them to enroll.
The double minded man must hit the altar every Sunday, promising to live for God. But, on Monday he is right back to his old sins. The double minded man is always going to….but never does.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The double minded mans only consistency is his inconsistency. He does not see two things that are identical, he see two different options, and can’t stick with either one.[/perfectpullquote]
Let me suggest a few things that may help. Keep a guard on your mouth. Don’t be the first to speak up and be very slow about making commitments or promises. We have all been guilty, in the heat of the moment, of making promises to God; not even the angels could keep.
You don’t have to always say “yes” to people who ask you if you will do such and such. I have seen many of these. They will say yes and respond positively to every need, but they never show up or do it. All this is eroding their confidence.
Pastor, keep your plans, your vision and goals to yourself, until you have prayed and thought everything through. If you announce anything you are planning to do, and then do not do it, your people will lose confidence in your leadership and respect for you character.
James says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19. Remember Nehemiah, the great wall builder. He never announced his plans until he had prayed and had the facts. He had a single eye.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.