Double-Mindedness

Summary Scripture:

James 1:8

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Recently, I had a dream in which I was counseling someone as to their way of thinking. In the dream, I said to the person, “You don’t think the way God thinks.” There were specific manners of thought I was able to instruct this individual in. However, I do believe that dream is to be extended to the Body of Christ. It seems in today’s church; the sons of God just simply do not think like God. It is evident that many in the ministry, including the leadership, do not fully understand or have not fully embraced the message. Therefore, it is necessary to piecemeal it into the heart of the people, especially the leadership. The fast tracks give me the ability to do that. We have come to a time where leaders must decide whether they are willing to make sacrifices for the people they lead or whether they are to be leaders by title only. The people must decide whether they really want to know the mysteries of God. Bible Teachers has enjoyed the fat of the Word. We have been filled with its mysteries and deep sayings. Nevertheless, much learning has made some of us complacent and apathetic to the ways of the Lord. You may think you have it, but you don’t. We have not come to the level of that which we have already received. We are not walking consistently in the Spirit, forsaking all vanities and lusts. We are not able to speak to the mountain and know assuredly that it will move. Why? Because we are not given completely over to the Word we have received. We are still too attached to this world and ourselves. Jesus said His disciples must first deny themselves. That is something we are not entirely willing to do. Sure, we give up some things that are not readily expedient for us to hold on to; but some things and ways are still very much a part of us. The things of this world are too appealing and cause us to be wanton. When our children get in trouble, we are the first to run to God for help. However, we don’t demand that the children in our very household respect things pertaining to God. They live with us, we take care of them yet we do not demand they respect the fact we are sons of God. The excuse is “they are grown or they are old enough to make up their own minds about God.” This may be true. They may be grown or of an age to make that decision but if you are their source of livelihood, and/or they live in your house, then you are obligated to insist they respect and reverence your God. The prodigal son left home to do the things he wanted to do. He respected his father too much to live in such a manner while dwelling in his father’s house. But we have lost that respect. We stay in the house knowing our minds are pursuing worldly things. Sons of God push and support their kids in their pursuit of career and worldly accomplishment, but give no thought to their spiritual location. They are not encouraged in the same manner to pursue holiness and God’s will for their lives. These aspirations are considered old fashion and obsolete among many of the latter-day sons.

Romans 8:3-9

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

It is time for the sons of God to face the truth about our failure to walk in holiness every day, all day. When the Lord created the sons, He left nothing to chance. According to the script, it was the purpose of God for the righteousness of the Law to be fulfilled in us. Israel had their shot at living by the Law but they failed; as God knew they would. Therefore, He gave them sacrifices and ordinances to cover their sins. But not so with the sons. He has given us something far more precious. We have received the mind of Christ. The commandment was for us to be spiritually minded; for this is life and peace. The only way to accomplish this is to agree with the Holy Spirit, which lives in us. This is the mind of Christ. It is the mind of the new man.

The scripture instructs us to see no man after the flesh. In other words, the outward appearance we are able to look upon is a new man. It is not the natural man we once knew in the flesh. It is a new man living in the body in whom we also live. This new man is Christ; and it is His mind we are able to live by. In him, we live and move and have our being. That is the essence of the Gospel. His mind is our mind. We are one with Him. We are able to think and feel as He does. Our desire to please the Father is the mind of the Spirit of Christ. Our preference for holiness is the influence of His mind on our soul. So how is it that we are able to entertain, think on and even commit sin. We know the carnally minded, (those who live in the flesh) are not able to please God. Without the influence of the Spirit it is indeed impossible to please the Lord. But we have the mind of the Spirit. How is it that we are so easily snared with sin and iniquities? Let us allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.

James 1:8 says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” I gave some careful consideration to this verse and what it means to be double-minded. The Greek words used in this passage mean “two-spirited”, two-heartedness, or having two minds.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Double-mindedness is the enemy of faith. It promotes a dual focus; one on godliness and another on the things of this world. One mind believes and one does not believe. This is clearly the soul making an alternative assessment of God’s role in a matter. Double-mindedness leads to deception and deception of the worst kind. It is the act of entertaining a particular emotion but acting as if you have been influenced by another. For instance, you may ask God to do something that is impossible for you to do, but you really need Him to do it. Once you ask, your confession is that the matter is in His hands; and that you are trusting Him. But the truth is you are not sure and do not believe that He will do what you asked. This is double-mindedness. When you talk to people about the matter you might say that you are trusting God; but the truth is, your emotions are completely of the contrary.

James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

The only way to deliver yourself from this state is to purify your heart! It is against God, His way, and His Word. You are not in agreement with your Father or you don’t truly trust Him. You only deceive yourself by confessing faith in the Lord when in reality you have no faith.

Sin and wantonness are your enemies. Cleanse yourself of this wanton spirit for the things of the world. Deliver yourself from the snare of sin. Let your eye be single. Remind yourself that you are indeed the son of God. Love not this world nor the things that are in it; and you will have confidence in your salvation and your Savior.