Believers know to ask God for wisdom when they lack it; however, some question whether they are receiving His counsel or counsel from another source. What does wisdom from above look like? James tells us that it is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy (James 3:17). The true counsel of God is going to give rest to your soul; whereas, anything else doesn’t give such wholeness.
With pure wisdom comes peace.
This is a major clue in ascertaining what counsel we are receiving. God will never bombard us with fear or terror, especially when He sent us peace through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to begin with. If you become fearful listening to counsel from someone, or from what what you feel is a direct Word from God, something is wrong.
That icy grip of anxiety doesn’t come from the Holy Spirit.
Think about it. James told us that godly wisdom is peaceable and gentle. Since when does gentleness strike terror in your heart? Either it’s the wrong spirit, or you have a wrong heart in the matter. 1 John 4:1 tells us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
Fear does not confess Jesus Christ (see 1 John 4:2-3). It leaves you hopeless, and yet Jesus is our Hope. What if it truly is from God and you still experience fear? It could be exposing something in your heart that is contrary to His nature. For example, one may have an excessive desire for something, and is afraid God’s answer will not coincide with it. Something may be on the way to become his god. James 3:14-15 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 5. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing (NASB). Selfish ambition alone will use fear against you. Have you ever heard of the fear of failure?
Some people are afraid of what He might say or even ask of them. The bottom line is they don’t trust Him. They don’t believe the Father has their best interest at heart. They doubt His love for them.
They’ve already started with a disadvantage: they started with the fear that is a counterfeit of the fear of the Lord.
If their foundation is fear, they’re standing on shifting sand. If you fit in this category, ask God for a revelation of His love. After all, perfect love casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18).
One aspect of God’s nature is that there is no variation or shadow of turning in Him (see James 1:17). Because He is the same yesterday, today and forever, the wisdom of God never wavers. It’s rock solid. You never have to worry about whether He’s going to pull the rug out from under your feet. The Father doesn’t tell you something, only to change it moments later. He isn’t constantly changing the rules. He does not vacillate like that.
One problem that arises in relation to His wisdom and counsel is our wavering. When we are tempted to doubt or question whether or not we actually heard from God. These are times we can be double-minded. Believers also vacillate when they have desires that are contrary to His counsel, in which case, they may try to change it. “Did God really say that?” These are moments it’s important to settle things in our heart. Get quiet before the Lord, and listen. Sit still, and remember His Word and nature. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, cast down the wrong imaginations, and let every thought be taken captive to the obedience of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). For some, it may be a matter of returning to their first Love. Yep, repentance. Time to change their way of thinking. Secondly, get honest with God and yourself. Hash it out with Him. Leave nothing off the table, and tell Him what’s going on. Of course He knows; however, it’s about the relationship. Receiving the wisdom and counsel of God centers on our relationship with Him. God’s counsel requires an honest heart!
It’s in our fellowship with God we are able to relinquish a double-mind. It is where we have the mind of Christ, and the Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit about the things of God. Holy Spirit (think relationally now) knows the heart of the Father, so commune with Him. Keep your heart open to the Lord, so He doesn’t have to stand at your door and knock!
[bctt tweet=”Keep your heart open to the Lord, so He doesn’t have to stand at your door and knock!”]
