James wrote in chapter 1:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
As we mature in our walk, we must develop our sensitivity to THE SPIRIT and quit relying our logic and reasoning faculties, both “left” brain attributes. It is easier for some people who have a tendency to operate in the “right” brain. As an example, logic tells us NOT to count it all joy when we are subjected to trials but instead we should figure a way out according to logic, experience, and other sources of information. Yet James reveals that our faith is being tested and the result should be patience.
Faith in what? We should be trusting FATHER to lead us through our trials by listening and responding to HIS SPIRIT, expecting HIM to intervene as we take the path HE has selected for us. Our faith is developed as we move from our own logic to becoming sensitive to HIS SPIRIT.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The transition from being led by your faculties to being led by THE SPIRIT will be a challenge if you do not progress to the fullness of HIS SPIRIT for you will become double-minded and will be unstable in your ways. For example, FATHER tells you to give a notable sum of money to an individual or an organization. You are taken back by what you just heard in your spirit. Now your logic and reasoning kick in and you begin to analyze and conclude why you shouldn’t. You further dwell on it until your mind has provided enough reasons not to give. You have just missed a blessing from FATHER. HE was setting you up to receive a larger blessing than your gift but tested you to see if you would be a good steward and respond to HIS request. HE was testing your faith in “hearing” HIM which requires “responding”.
Often FATHER will have you leave your comfort zone to test your willingness to submit to HIM. Your response will expose your maturity in being led by THE SPIRIT. Man’s logic wants to attack the problem with facts and reasoning whereas mature Sons will be led by THE SPIRIT and walk out FATHER’S perfect instructions through the problem.
Giving to others is the biggest challenge most people will have to overcome. A person’s greed will be exposed when he is tested by FATHER in a directive to give. This is precisely why the world is in the shape its in today. Wars are over resources. “I want what you have” or “you owe me”. Love gives, greed takes and hoards.
My greatest investment decision was one where I knew literally nothing about the investment but THE SPIRIT directed my to do it. FATHER honored my family’s obedience to give as HE directed and the fruitfulness of planting seed in others’ lives provided dramatic results. We never gave by men’s coercive words or manipulative behavior. We cheerfully gave as directed by FATHER. HE has been perfecting us by challenging the most subtle issue most people deal with: giving.
Some people are easily offended when someone brings up the subject of giving. They don’t want to deal with the subtleness of greed in their heart. If you hear FATHER and give when HE says to give, no discussion of giving will affect you for you are at peace in being led by THE SPIRIT in this area. If you can’t overcome greed in your personal life, how can you expect FATHER to use you in a greater manner affecting others?
Logic and reasoning will hold you back from fulfilling your calling. Being fully led by THE SPIRIT will move you forward in a rapid fashion. Choose life or death, the decision is yours. Respond to HIS SPIRIT and do not delay in taking action and you will not let your left brain talk you out of a blessing and a step toward full maturity as a Son.