Wednesday Word Study - Double-Minded – Episode 14
Originally written November 9, 2011
posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/11/09/wednesday-word-study-double-minded/
Double-minded
Transliteration: dipsuchos
Phonetic Spelling: (dip'-soo-khos)
Short Definition: double-minded, wavering
Definition: (lit: of two souls, of two selves), double-minded, wavering.
On Monday, we discussed the scripture.
James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
The word I want to explore today is the word double-minded. I found it is only used twice, and both times are by James in the book of James. In the definition it says that it is literally two souls or two selves. Another expansion of the definition said …a person "split in half," vacillating like a "spiritual schizophrenic."
I can relate to that. Have you ever been in a situation where you had set yourself to believe God for the outcome and then kept finding yourself vacillating back and forth in your mind? You would catch yourself ‘reasoning’ it all out in your head and eventually worrying about it.
Then you would have to force yourself to readjust, say a little prayer, and put it back in God’s hands. Sometimes it seems like a never-ending cycle, around and around, reasoning—worrying—believing. After a while, it will make you feel crazy. I know. I’ve been there.
The only other scripture where this word is used is in this verse:
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God.
This is the Weymouth translation and substitutes double-minded for ‘half-hearted towards God’. I thought that was a very astute observation.
On Monday, I talked about the importance of relying fully on God at all times in all things. That the mark of a child of God is one who leans entirely on God in faith, believing.
If we are double-minded, we are struggling with believing God fully in any situation; then half of our hearts are towards God and the other half is not. So the term half-hearted is dead on. We haven’t fully come to know that we can trust God in everything. I believe we are fearful of where He will lead us and where He will take us, or that He won’t come through for us.
So where is the disconnect? In understanding His complete love for us. If you are having trouble in this area, don’t beat yourself up and memorize more scriptures on faith; study in the Word about His love for you. As you receive more and more revelation of the love of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for you, the doubt will fade away. You will believe. You will be His child.
Each Wednesday I will be posting a Wednesday Word Study to further elaborate on a significant word from the previous Monday’s Meditation episode. On Mondays I focus on one verse to meditate on for the week. On the Wednesday after I drill down to look at one specific word to gain further information and knowledge. Then on the following Friday I will post a teaching pulling it all together. Each week will provide a thorough study into a verse, a word, and then the overall concept.
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Friday Finale - Defying Disappointment – Episode 14
