James 1:5, commentary and pictures

Anyone who lacks wisdom may ask God for it directly, and He gives generously to all without scolding or reproach, and it will be given. The asking must be in steady faith without wavering or doubting, for the double-minded who believe and then disbelieve receive nothing. It belongs to those who come humbly and teachably with full surrender and obedience, while God does not force the will or give light to those who are proud, self-sufficient, and bent on their own way. The wisdom must be sought from God Himself rather than depended on from finite and fallible human judgment, counsel, or authority. It is given for enduring trials and resisting temptation, for discerning right from wrong, for direction in God's work and in daily decisions, and for understanding Scripture when humbly studied.

Wording and Immediate Context

Anyone who lacks wisdom may ask God for it, and God gives generously to all without reproaching the asker, and it will be given. In weakness the promise directs believers to seek God's strength rather than trying to overcome by their own power, recognizing need and drawing near to God in order to come into connection with the source of strength. Those who bear responsibilities are to seek this wisdom through earnest prayer, meeting together to counsel, and fasting, since God alone can impart what they need. Depending too heavily on other people for counsel can deprive a person of the experience of seeking and receiving wisdom from God, and the wisdom needed to go forward is available through this promise.

The verse stands where faith is tried by divers temptations which are to be counted all joy, because the trying of faith works patience, and patience is to have her perfect work so believers may be perfect and entire wanting nothing. There is an individual work for all to do before labor for others can accomplish anything, and blessed is the one who endures temptation by taking the Word of life as his own and bringing the promises to the Lord and claiming them, relying not on any human power but on the strength of the Lord. The whole of James 1:1-27 is to be read carefully and prayerfully from the first verse to the last and applied to self and doctrine, an application that leads one long in God's work with grave responsibilities resting upon him to see his work to clear the King's highway, so that he will not be weighed in the balances and found wanting. Students are urged to read the chapter prayerfully to understand personal responsibility and move forward under God's discipline, seeking from God the wisdom needed to do so. Such wisdom helps in facing trials and resisting temptation to conduct oneself rightly, keep a clear conscience, and remain on the path of righteousness.

The asking must be in faith with nothing wavering and without doubting, keeping the request in mind and trusting that God has promised to hear. One who wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed, is double-minded and unstable in all his ways, and must not think or expect to receive anything from the Lord. Christ hears even the weakest of His children and gladly sends help and blessing to those who bring their petitions in faith. The request is to be made as a little child asks his father for what he wants, seeking the Lord most earnestly in all trials as His property and children by creation and redemption, bound by divine love to the source of all power and strength instead of looking and planning for human help, thereby receiving help and rich experience and learning that God is the source of all strength and power.

Wavering means professing faith while acting in unbelief, which makes a person unstable and unfit to expect anything from the Lord. It means sometimes believing, then doubting, then grasping faith, then yielding to every discouragement, like a wave driven and tossed. Lack of humility in bringing the heart to Christ is identified as such a deficiency, and doubt makes a person unwilling to rely on God. The promise received in steady faith lifts a discouraged person who is on the point of letting go of everything and makes him like a new man. Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when tried he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him, while the brother of low degree rejoices in exaltation and the rich in being made low as grass withering in burning heat.

God the Generous Giver

God gives wisdom to everyone who asks, not in stinted measure but liberally, and He is more willing to give than people are to ask. The blessing is to be believed as already given rather than left uncertain, for to keep asking without believing is to tell Him He is not believed. When perplexed, telling Him about troubles and difficulties in prayer brings wisdom, because He gives generously and does not reproach the asker. He gives freely to all without reproach, hears and answers the petition, and it shall be given.

Upbraideth not means He does not scold for ignorance, reprove for mistakes and weakness or inefficiency, tell the asker he is foolish for not understanding better, or find fault. No one need hold back from asking out of fear of being rebuked, for He knows and understands each person. The request is to be made with expectation, seeking His guidance at every step about what Jesus would have one do, not for selfish pleasure.

The Giver is Light and Counselor, the Source of pure and solid knowledge who has all wisdom and knowledge. He is infinite in wisdom, cannot err, is too wise to err and too good and merciful to do harm, truly estimates character, knows human ignorance and darkness, and knows best how to guide through anxieties, trials and difficult decisions. He is the true Counselor who shines light into mind and soul, and His mercy, love and wisdom are found in Him, so hope and dependence belong in Him rather than in fallible people. He will teach and guide those who come to Him for help, and they need not travel elsewhere or depend on human authorities to learn what course to take.

His promise is positive and sure, to be taken exactly as it reads with full assurance of faith that He will do just as He said. It gives greater assurance than can be asked, is of more value than wealth or choicest gold, cannot fail though heaven and earth pass away, and is reason to rejoice, take courage, give thanks and trust rather than become discouraged. It is made sure by the gift of His dear Son, is opened before the humblest, and no asker will be sent away empty. It shows no partiality and belongs to all without favoritism, not only to ministers or medical missionaries but to whoever asks, including strangers, widows and orphans, and to the one conscious of spiritual poverty who goes with confidence trusting the blessing will be received even if not felt immediately. He provides light to those who accept it in His appointed way, enabling them to do what is right and faithfully carry out daily duties.

Asking in Humble Faith

Asking must be in appropriating faith with nothing wavering, believing the promise itself and that the answer will be given, for everything hinges upon faith. The request is not to be held back for fear of rebuke, nor made for selfish pleasure, but made with expectation and steady trust, seeking guidance at every step about what Jesus would have one do and building a steady, sound life. God is more willing to give power to remain steadfast than people are to ask, and asking Him for grace or wisdom builds dependence on Him rather than self-confidence, while trusting His promise strengthens faith and honors the Redeemer. Those who truly want to be taught and guided may rely on the promise, yet they must not waver between prayer and disbelief, for the wavering one is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed and must not think he will receive anything from the Lord. Such unwavering faith pleases God and belongs to those who carry forward the work saying they will triumph in His name, with truth and light shining into hearts that say He will give the victory. If the answer does not come at once or in the form desired, the petitioner is to keep praying, waiting, watching and patiently working, holding firmly to the promises until the blessing is received so it can be shared with others.

Asking means sincere, earnest, persevering prayer arising from awareness of need and earnest desire to know God's will, like a little child asking a father with simple confidence. It is presented on the knees with promises and longing of soul, laying all wants before Him in communion with Him, kept in mind and not quickly forgotten, with steadfast waiting and continued trust if the answer is delayed. Faith is to be exercised without fluctuating between hope and fear and despondency, trusting as if the blessing were already possessed, doing His will as far as possible while believing prayers are being answered, since much is lost without such faith. As the asker so approaches, God draws nigh to nourish, encourage, enrich, sustain, comfort and strengthen the soul and bring peace into it. The call is to seek the Lord earnestly rather than gathering too many responsibilities, carrying all burdens to the Saviour and letting Him work as He chooses, with firm confidence and trust.

After prayer, dark feelings or a hellish shadow cast across the path are Satan trying to obscure faith in a cloud, so feeling is not to be the criterion but the Word of the living God. The one who prays is to stay in the channel of light, expecting the Lord to help and give strength and not sinking faith in the cloud, and God will do great things for those who show trust in Him. A person conscious of spiritual poverty should go to God with confidence, trusting that the requested blessing will be received even if it is not felt immediately. Dwelling on bodily infirmities and poor feelings strengthens unbelief instead of trusting God for needed strength and wisdom in store for those who earnestly seek them in faith.

The promise belongs to those who come humbly, meekly, teachably and with full surrender like a child and learner, willing to be instructed and to learn from Christ rather than from mistaken human teachers. Prayer for wisdom is to be offered in meekness and humility with faith that God hears, continually seeking the Saviour's will in every action and turning to Him in perplexity and uncertainty. When sought with full surrender, this wisdom brings teaching from the Lord and the softening, subduing control of the Holy Spirit, with strict guard over self, humble watchful walk with God in prayer, putting away harsh judgment, and Christlike speech and action that helps others in home and business while committing the soul to God as faithful Creator. God's servants should recognize need rather than feel complete in themselves, seeking divine guidance especially in crisis and when new light may come through messengers He has raised up. God does not force the will and cannot lead those proud, self-sufficient, bent on their own way, or double-minded seeking their own will while professing His, and He will not give divine light to those content to remain in darkness.

To receive help a person must realize weakness and deficiency, apply the mind to the great change to be made, shake off wrong habits and customs, and be aroused to earnest and persevering prayer and effort with severest mental and moral discipline, with divine power united to human effort. Many fail to reach the place they might occupy because they wait for God to do for them what He has given them power to do for themselves, and all fitted for usefulness are trained by such discipline with God's assistance. Prayer should be joined with diligent effort to train the mind and use time faithfully, for communion with God is the source of wisdom and sound judgment needed for every duty. Whoever lacks wisdom should put talent into the work and ask God, doing his best and standing true as steel to principle, for success comes not from capabilities possessed or gained but from what the Lord can do for the asker. In practical affairs this means praying for wisdom to act with discretion, doing what one can to prevent loss or disaster, using every faculty and part of the body rightly under God's wise counsel and supervision rather than Satan's dictation, and relying on God's help without expecting it to replace personal effort.

Prayer for temporal blessings such as removal of affliction or recovery of health is answered by giving what is best rather than exactly what is desired. When healing or relief is requested, He may withhold the exact request for the asker's good and His glory and instead give grace to bear the trial, as He answered Paul's prayer about the thorn by giving grace to bear it rather than removing it, and gives the sick grace to bear sickness when immediate healing is not given. The promise must still be claimed in faith, nothing wavering.

Seek God Not Man

Wisdom is to be asked of God Himself directly and individually, not sought from human wisdom, judgment, counsel, leaders, pastors, neighbors, or distant authorities. No one who needs wisdom should ask an overburdened brother, send across the continent to knock at the door of finite human wisdom, or pour out complaints to human ears to get wisdom from human channels, for the door is open to all and Christ is nearer than is thought, and the needy are to bow on their knees before God who is nigh. Men are finite, erring, weak and fallible, with no certain light unless received from heaven, and human helpers are powerless to help unless they first receive wisdom from on high. To put a person where God should be or to look to men is a snare, like leaning on a broken reed that leads astray, and like quenching thirst at broken cisterns by leaning on human beings and turning to humanity instead of taking God's help. Depending too heavily on other people for counsel deprives a person of the experience of seeking and receiving wisdom from God, and weakness comes from not acting as Christians by seeking wisdom from human sources.

Believers in churches and state conferences can therefore seek God for wisdom and make plans rather than treating a few leaders in Battle Creek as the only source of sound counsel. Relying wholly on another man's judgment and pouring difficulties and perplexities into leaders and brethren is replaced by asking God directly, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, with the asking in faith, nothing wavering. The wavering and double-minded are unstable in all their ways and shall receive nothing from the Lord, so the promise is received according to faith with much larger faith in God as sure Helper, Sufficiency, and exceeding great Reward. Each person thus remains individually accountable to God, acting as God moves upon him rather than as moved by the mind of another, so that souls are impressed and directed by the Spirit with freedom of action and choice instead of becoming the shadow and echo of another under restraint.

No one is to become another's shadow, submerge identity in another, see only through another's eyes, or be made mind and judgment for others. Each person is a free accountable agent who must do his own thinking and work, use his own mind, conscience and powers diligently, gain his own experience and knowledge and intelligence, and act with freedom of action and choice under the Spirit. God never designed one man's mind to do another's thinking, and no human being should presume to guide or control another person's mind in God's place or be put where God should be as the one looked up to and trusted. Burdens and perplexities belong to Jesus, not to human souls, and laying them on men and seeking counsel from men brings only human help. God's Word is the only safe voice to trust, for God is Light and Counselor with greater wisdom than any man, who gives freely to all without reproach and hears and answers the petition, while seeking counsel from men too largely robs a person of the experience with God that he should obtain for himself.

No human counselor can decide duty for another, such as whether to preach, but must point the seeker to Jesus and this promise, with asking in faith without wavering lest one become like a wave of the sea driven and tossed, sometimes believing then doubting then grasping by faith then yielding to discouragement. Those seeking wisdom for their work are not to be bound by another person's ideas or plans but to seek God's guidance, looking to Jesus for direction rather than depending on man lest they be led astray. The promise belongs to united work where laborers of different capabilities and gifts labor in different ways, each needing God's wisdom for the experience and appointed work God knows that soul must gain.

Those bearing responsibilities should seek the promised wisdom through earnest prayer, meeting together to counsel where they are, and fasting, because God alone can impart the wisdom they need. They should often meet together to counsel with one another, unitedly make their troubles known to God, talk less because much talk brings no light, and unite in fasting and earnest prayer for the liberal supply promised. They are to seek God themselves rather than depend on distant human advisers, and to consult and pray together with others while seeking counsel in Scripture, making Him Counselor at every step. He gives better counsel than human deliberation, and from Him they receive the grace and strength they need.

Workers in foreign or distant fields facing emergencies should ask God directly what to do instead of depending on erring people or waiting for permission from a distant board that cannot understand the situation. They need not delay urgent decisions until they can consult a distant human leader, because God is close at hand as a present Helper, and there is no need to travel elsewhere to find the wisdom needed to decide what course to pursue. God is equally near to them and to those at the center, prepares the way, stands at the right hand to help, knows best and can guide through anxieties, trials and difficult decisions, and keeps from mistakes. When ministers teach people to seek God directly, they can receive the Holy Spirit's help and gain ability that strengthens the whole work, rather than churches depending on a few men in Battle Creek to plan or counsel them. Conference leaders should therefore seek God's guidance rather than rely on distant human advisers, coming humbly, putting away self-esteem and desire for supremacy, and depending on Him as a child does, and God will assist them and bestow the Holy Spirit on those who come to Him in this way.

Wisdom is sought from God while also consulting experienced faithful brethren to manage responsibilities wisely and use entrusted means for God's work.

Wisdom Amid Trials Temptation

The wisdom promised is needed in the midst of trials and temptation, to endure the testing of faith and let patience finish its work, to resist temptation, to conduct oneself rightly, to keep a clear conscience, to remain on righteousness, and to avoid hasty speech and reckless discouragement. In weakness the one who lacks is to seek God's strength rather than try to overcome by own power, recognizing need and drawing near to God into connection with the source of strength, humbly asking for wisdom and guidance as an inexperienced believer. Everything is to be taken to God in prayer and faith without wavering, for the wavering person is unstable and is not to expect to receive from the Lord, while the sincere seeker who asks in faith may rely on the promise to answer and receive strength and grace and meet difficulties through strength from Jesus, with experience gained through dependence on God becoming knowledge. Such prayer is to be offered in meekness and humility with faith that God hears, guiding a life of spiritual care and service.

The wisdom includes divine discernment to judge rightly between good and evil, needed by everyone entrusted with responsibility whatever its size, coming through dependence on God and learning from Him through His word, enabling refusal of evil and choice of good. God and not finite human counsel is the source, and those who come to Christ in helplessness can receive the wisdom of God. A burden-bearer who desires wisdom above wealth, power or fame will receive it and learn from the great Teacher both what to do and how to do it in a way that meets divine approval, for God is willing to give today the wise discernment He gave Solomon. For a leader this means praying for an understanding heart to distinguish good from evil rather than striving for supremacy or high position, and the wisdom needed to understand how to gain eternal life comes from God to anyone who lacks it and asks.

The wisdom is needed to guard against deception, to tell the genuine work of the Holy Spirit from the spurious, and to refuse false claims to revelation and supposed prophets when the counterfeit closely resembles the genuine. It means asking God for divine enlightenment to recognize Satan coming as an angel of light with temptations and to meet and withstand foes who wear the same dress as soldiers of Christ, to be consecrated to God's service, to be careful with whom to connect and whom to admit into confidence and in whom to confide. Seeking God in earnest, humble prayer in the name of Jesus with faith brings divine enlightenment and guidance to recognize spiritual dangers and choose whom to trust, while God comes in and works with human effort to guide and control, found only by those who feel need of His help and seek Him. The asking goes together with taking the Bible as textbook, searching the Scriptures for explicit instruction in practical religious life, and practicing its truth, which is light extending on every side to lighten everyone who reads, understands and obeys.

The verse gives one of the greatest promises for meeting temptation against a cunning and cruel foe who attends every step and works every moment with all strength and skill to turn people from the right way. Since Satan overcame the first parents in their beautiful Eden home, more than six thousand years of continual practice have greatly increased his skill to deceive and allure, while one who yields becomes spiritually weak and yields more readily the second time, with every repetition of sin blinding the eyes, stifling conviction and weakening power of resistance. While human power to resist is continually decreasing, Satan's skill and power to tempt are continually increasing, so the temptations of the last days are more severe than those of any other age. In the time of the end, when Christ's followers are sent as sheep in the midst of wolves and must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves while facing hatred and persecution, they are to have the life hid with Christ in God and ask God for wisdom, and He will direct their paths.

The wisdom needed to be an overcomer is clear spiritual discernment obtained only from God by earnest asking and seeking with full surrender, and people are weak and without wisdom but God gives freely to all who ask without scolding, so it will be given. Receiving calls for being thorough, never letting go of hold upon God, and persevering in His service, and this path makes one an overcomer through the blood of the Lamb. When so sought it brings teaching from the Lord and the softening, subduing control of the Holy Spirit, keeping strict guard over self, walking humbly with God in watchfulness and prayer, putting away harsh judgment of others, and speaking and acting in a Christlike way that helps others in home life and business life while committing the soul to God as a faithful Creator. Such wisdom helps conduct rightly, keep a clear conscience and remain on the path of righteousness when facing trials and resisting temptation, asked for in faith without wavering.

Dependence on God helps each person recognize and overcome besetting sins, gain daily victories, and live for God's glory, the good of the church, and personal salvation, with wisdom and guidance sought from God. Those who recognize weakness should seek wisdom from God, and the Father delights to give His children the wisdom and strength they need for daily struggle against the powers of evil. The wisdom needed for directing God's work is supernatural, and it is better to seek it from God individually than to rely on human rules or other people for decisions.

Wisdom for God's Work

God's workers are to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and trust the promise when they need direction, for He gives wisdom, skill and understanding for the work He calls them to do and helps in need those who humbly seek His will. When they cannot see how to advance the work they are anxious to do and which is impressed upon them, with dearth of means and feeling as sheep in the midst of wolves and with hope and courage and faith severely tested, they are to lay the situation openly before God and ask Him for wisdom to devise more effectual methods. Before taking up a new work a person should move guardedly under the Lord's guidance and be assured of direction from Him, for the Lord will guide and instruct and give orders from the right source to all who yield themselves to His guidance and control. Divine wisdom is available as they recognize need of grace and seek Him, and united with Christ they receive what they need for faithful service and for helping others, including wisdom for the present day's needs. The asking must be in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed and shall receive nothing.

Ministers need to ask in faith for wisdom and power to serve rather than rely on ability or people, opening the Bible listening for instruction and seeking sound judgment to discern what to do in each entrusted part. They should recognize need rather than feel complete in themselves, and seek divine guidance in prayer especially in times of crisis and when new light may be given through messengers raised up. They must search Scripture and seek understanding from God themselves rather than depend on another person's judgment as authority, and seek to enlarge usefulness by carrying out every part of the work according to His order rather than from a worldly standpoint while making most of opportunities and resources to share truth. Laboring wisely and successfully in this way brings success in service, close companionship with God, growing love for Christ, and confidence in His help in every need, with awareness of standing between the living and the dead and answering to God.

Men in positions of trust with manifold daily duties cannot bear them without this wisdom and must seek it as constantly and earnestly as Daniel did while standing in the highest position next to the king in Babylon. God is an open source of wisdom and grace for all, and men in trust being only human must receive from it just like everyone else, yet He gives special wisdom to those entrusted with important responsibilities when they walk humbly before Him and gives help to each for his own work when sought in the same humble spirit. Those entrusted with duties must give themselves unreservedly to God, realize individual responsibility to a Watcher pleased or displeased by how work is done, and carry the load with fear and trembling, looking to Him for wisdom and praying for counsel and continual grace so no mistakes are made. Managers entrusted with responsibility should recognize need for knowledge and wisdom and earnestly seek them so they can use abilities to glorify God, trusting God to answer prayer and provide better counsel than human deliberation.

Like Solomon, those lacking wisdom should pray earnestly for faith, light and an understanding heart to distinguish good from evil rather than rely on judgment or strive for supremacy or position. God is willing to give today the wise discernment He gave Solomon, and a burden-bearer who desires wisdom above wealth, power or fame will receive it and learn from the great Teacher both what to do and how to do it in a way that meets divine approval, with the wisdom evident in ability to judge. Leaders facing difficulty who ask the source of wisdom are strengthened and enlightened to stand against unholy influences, discern right from wrong and good from evil, approve what God approves, and resist introduction of wrong principles into His cause. When self is hid in Christ and the advantage of working on Christian principles is discerned, each worker feeling human weakness will ask for wisdom and grace, and God will give divine help pledged for every emergency, correcting and enlightening and bringing back to an upright position of distinction from the world all who listen to His voice and follow His ways.

The wisdom corrects thinking that larger institutions exert more influence by worldly prosperity and imposing buildings, showing strength is in managers meek and lowly of heart who learn daily in Christ's school, seek by prayer and supplication to know the Lord's will, inquire at every step whether it is the way of the Lord, and use means for mission fields rather than selfish display. Those who believe the Lord is soon to come need more than finite wisdom and need not stumble along in uncertainty about management of God's work. When perplexities arise about plans and arrangements for advancing the work, they are to be taken to the Lord in prayer, following a straightforward line while each faithfully fills his appointed place, for wisdom is to be sought from God by managers who must devise and plan. Safety against rash ambitious movements is keeping the heart in harmony with Christ, trusting wholly in the Lord, and being led by His wisdom instead of untrustworthy fickle human wisdom filled with self-esteem, pride and selfishness, holding integrity, honesty, pure heart and unwavering purpose above worldly interests and greatness. This calls for self-examination and secret prayer especially before entering missionary labor, so workers are prepared and do not make premature moves harming truth, do not cultivate outward zeal while neglecting secret prayer, do not regulate others' consciences by their own rule, and exercise self-control against hasty words stirring strife and sharp criticism unbecoming ministers of righteousness.

The wisdom is needed for practical responsibilities and financial problems of school leadership, and those entrusted with school work who watch unto prayer and plead earnestly for grace will increase in wisdom and knowledge and be prepared as acceptable teachers, with Christ working with such prayerful learners to carry on the work begun. Wisdom is promised to workers in educational lines who face questions and plans not clear even to the most experienced and conscientious: when they take up the work outlined and ask, light will shine on the pathway and God will go before giving skill and understanding, and having committed themselves and asked they are to trust Him knowing they need not carry the burden alone, for He as mighty Saviour will carry not a part but the whole weight. Decisions for the school should be sought from God so they will be approved by Him, and the school's work should be guided by wisdom sought from God.

God gives skill and wisdom to every physician who asks without reproach, and to surgeons in critical operations, with connection to the Great Physician giving clear thought, skill and unerring precision beyond science. The physician should direct the trembling suffering patient to the Son of God, who pities the sufferer and has divine power to give this wisdom. Physicians need this wisdom because self-confidence leaves them to follow impulses of an unsanctified heart, while daily connection with Christ enables growth in holiness and meekness rather than settling for a worldly standard, with religious principles foundational to successful practice since scientific knowledge alone cannot provide such wisdom. The wisdom leads the Christian physician treating the sick, whose prayers the Lord hears and answers, not to place dependence on drugs and expect medicine to bring health but to use remedies God provided and employ natural means such as pure air, sunshine and intelligent use of water and other of nature's restoratives whereby the sick may be aided to recover. All brought into trying places in treating disease, including ladies trained to treat diseases of their sex and gentleman physicians counseling them, need this wisdom from the great Physician who gives supreme wisdom liberally to lead and guide them.

God will teach practical intelligence for preparing health foods, giving wisdom impartially to many minds in different countries to combine local fruits, grains and roots into simple inexpensive wholesome foods for the poor to take the place of flesh meat. He will teach servants how to improve foods and make preparations more simple and less expensive as they follow His counsel, walk after Christ's example, walk in His counsel in harmony with brethren, and continue to advance. God's people in every country are to ask Him for tact, ingenuity, skill and understanding to combine productions of earth into simple easily prepared healthful foods so people have no excuse for eating flesh meat, and the wisdom must then be used rightly and unselfishly to provide necessaries of life so the poor do not suffer, to help poor brethren and enlighten others, instead of settling in hopelessness or depending on costly imported foods from America. Wisdom for medical missionary work is not given only to men at Battle Creek, and no one is to claim kingly power over God's heritage, for humanity is not divinity and even most talented men are not infallible and make mistakes, while the Lord knows the future and can impress minds to do His work under bonds to Him in brotherly fraternity, with safety in daily humbling of heart, diligent watch lest selfishness be woven in, self dead, and the work bearing heaven's signature.

Those needing wisdom for missionary and soul-winning work should pray to God for it in faith without doubting, receiving living water to present truth clearly, gently and in season, to meet objections, to speak right words at the right time, and to keep imparting truth even when meeting repulse. Wisdom for sowing truth is found through Christ who holds the key to its treasure house, and even those who have broken God's law may become instruments of His works if they repent in faith, as the Holy Spirit sought enables followers to do His works. Anyone lacking wisdom for sharpening weapons to do harvest work of sowing the world with truth should take time set apart for silent communion to pray and study the Word and ask Him who gives freely without scolding, to cultivate faith and perfect character. Those seeking to share truth should pray for wisdom to present it clearly and connectedly alongside diligent searching of Scripture for precious truths, and one feeling duty to bear a message and need of guidance must look to the Lord for light and ask directly, seeking God alone as source of wisdom and light and life who is too wise to err and too good and merciful to do harm, not dishonoring Him by putting weak erring finite man in His place to learn duty from.

God promises wisdom to those who feel need and ask for reaching people of different nationalities, molding the mind as clay, looking to Jesus and copying His manners so differences disappear and believers stand on the same foundation with Christ in them in harmony for salvation. God can bring people where they will receive truth and take possession of the mind and mold it as clay in the potter's hands, so Italian, French and German believers plant feet on the same foundation with the same Spirit dwelling in each, Christ in them the hope of glory. Receiving it means following one pattern only, Christ Jesus, instead of many, so there is no trouble reaching different classes, with different nationalities mingling, learning from one another, one in judgment and purpose, building no wall of partition but breaking it down and bringing all into harmony in Jesus for the one object of saving others. The wisdom sought includes knowing how to approach others and belongs in earnest heartfelt prayer, giving wisdom to move at once, to consider the matter, to weigh finances and plans and thoughts, and to know how the Lord is leading the mind.

The verse promises wisdom to patiently and tactfully care for those with character weaknesses and guide the erring toward usefulness and sacred purity, with grace to share with the needy. It promises wisdom to those who write books for handling profits as a trust from God, to decide personally where need is greatest and dispense means to relieve need without wrong distribution. Those receiving a just share are to regard money as a trust, pray for wisdom to administer it, and with minds under the Holy Spirit learn necessities of the work, placing a portion in the treasury for general needs while themselves dispensing means to relieve need and leading in benevolence, perceiving where means are needed, bringing blessing in relief, and preventing wrong distribution in a few localities while many places where truth has not been lifted are left without resources. Wisdom for planning and conducting prayer meetings should be sought from God so meetings are interesting and give the bread of life. Wisdom from God shows a few people should not control every part of the work, but those with it act considerately and understand cause and effect. Wisdom is needed to develop talent where qualified workers are lacking and men are not fitted to enter the field without much more instruction and training, through united educating labor that makes workers.

Wisdom for Daily Decisions

The promise guides decisions about duty and what God would have a person do, whether to build up separate interests or to work together with those He has chosen, whether to preach, whether to pursue medical or ministerial study, where to locate for missionary work, how to serve and plan, and what course to take in difficult situations and perplexities, with each worker to seek counsel from God rather than depend on human judgment and with no general rule imposed where individual guidance is required. God Himself is the teacher of His people, giving wisdom liberally and without reproach to all who ask, and all who humble their hearts before Him will be taught of Him, so that every church member may pray earnestly for wisdom and obtain an individual experience by carrying cares and perplexities to Him. The request must be made in faith without wavering, for the wavering one is unstable and is not to expect to receive from the Lord.

The same wisdom directs stewards in the use of entrusted means, money, time, strength, and opportunities, in how to manage finances, plans, and evangelistic interests, in where to move and whether to sell homes or marry, with each one to seek wisdom personally in prayer, to act for God's glory, and to retain individual responsibility that no organization can remove. Moves are not to be made rashly but only after wisdom has been sought from God, who gives generously to all without reproach. Time and thought wasted and moments given to self-seeking are lost, while moments valued and rightly employed leave time for everything that needs to be done for self and for the world.

For workers in the Southern States deciding about Sunday work, no rule requiring Sunday work is to be made among believers, but each worker is to seek counsel from God for the right course, carefully and prayerfully, asking in faith without wavering. The one who wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed and should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

When wisdom is needed for a decision it may be asked for in faith with trust in the promise, with fixed determination to know God's will and to do it once known, surrendering personal desires and plans and obeying willingly wherever His guidance leads even if it opposes what was proposed, waiting without rushing, and He will be personal Counselor and make the dark plain. Christ is to be made the personal counselor in every trouble, burden, and uncertainty, relied upon for wisdom that He gives liberally without upbraiding or refusing prayer, bringing through communion with God by the Holy Spirit the complete understanding which the Lord alone can give, with strength and grace and efficiency, filling the soul when the door is opened to Him so there is no room for self and selfishness. Lack of humility in bringing the heart to Christ is the deficiency to be corrected, and the Lord's direction is to be followed by trusting Him as personal Saviour to know His will and then do what He directs.

God is to be brought into all counsels with humble dependent prayer for light and counsel so that every move is made in God, especially where eternal interests are involved, producing steady thorough work with power instead of haphazard work to be torn down. He is ready to guide those who recognize their ignorance and do not rely on their own judgment, on condition that they accept Him as Guide and Counselor and ask with unwavering faith, laying all plans before Him to see duty, while also laying plans before wise fellow believers for counsel. Doubt makes a person unstable and prevents expecting to receive from God, and human wisdom alone repeats past mistakes, so those entrusted with important responsibilities must pray earnestly and not rely on it, for His counsel does not fail.

Those carrying decision-making responsibility need this wisdom to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God, acting justly and mercifully toward everyone they meet and not merely a favored few. It comes through sincere earnest prayer arising from awareness of need to know God's will, not quickly forgotten, and if the answer is delayed the asker must wait without wavering, remain firm, and continue to pray and trust the promise, since wavering faith is why many receive nothing. God provides light to those who accept it in His appointed way, enabling them to do what is right and faithfully carry out daily duties in close connection with Him.

The same promise settles practical business and administrative matters when asked of Him, including counsel about the best place to establish a sanitarium and the proper distance between the sanitarium and the school on condition of asking Him and opening the heart to receive the Holy Spirit, plans for the Nashville Sanitarium, gathering means to carry on the work at Loma Linda, whether Dr. Kellogg should be connected with Loma Linda, Capt. Eldridge's case, and a troubling legal matter directing trust toward God. Men in responsible positions should ask wisdom of God to adjust difficulties themselves where they are instead of spending money and time in long wearisome traveling to investigate matters, for such journeys to find out matters instead of asking God dishonor God and the truth and consume means needed in other lines of work. Those responsible should pray together and seek clear evidence that plans to establish institutions accord with God's will and directions, and managing forces lacking wisdom need the teachings and leadings of the Holy Spirit, walking humbly with God and thinking more deeply and praying more earnestly before further moves, since embracing too many weighty responsibilities for the present workers and staff to carry is contrary to His will.

When solemn important decisions are to be made every person is to stand in right relation to God by praying much and talking little, keeping the soul open heavenward with windows opened toward heaven, and seeking in repeated seasons of prayer until directed where to do greatest good and whether to stay or move or go to places such as Melbourne. When believers cannot see the right course in appointing a leader, each one must go to God for himself with confidence that Christ guides those who ask to a right decision, and wisdom from on high is given to church members as they preserve unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, walk in the light, and grow in grace and knowledge of the truth. Guidance includes being shown whether to stay or return home, being led to move somewhere at once, and having finances, plans, and thoughts weighed to know how the Lord is leading the mind, with duty to follow God's will regardless of appearances and trust that He can provide for work and responsibilities left behind.

Wisdom and strength are promised to those who trust Him wholly on a long journey and in bearing truthful testimony under pressure of a court trial, speaking the truth and nothing but the truth with assurance that He will not leave nor forsake them.

Wisdom for Home and School

James 1:5 promises wisdom to mothers for their God-given home missionary work for their children, including the firmness, patience and self-control their duties require. When a mother has apparently failed after years of effort from lack of faith or failure to present and live the truth as it is in Jesus, she should seek counsel of God on her knees, present His promises, and try again with other methods, asking in faith, nothing wavering, for God gives to all liberally without reproach and it shall be given. A mother who seeks God's guidance and heeds the instruction in His word will receive the wisdom she needs to guide her children, and He gives His wisdom and grace for the important responsibility of caring for little children, helping those who ask to do their work in a way acceptable to the children, knowing every trial and giving strength that comes from Him alone in answer to prayer. When tempted to speak or act wrong, a child too may go to God and ask in faith for strength and God will give it, hearing the needy when they cry, commanding His angels to stand by the child endeavoring to do right to gently guide him in the right path when evil angels attempt to lead astray and to drive back the powers of the evil one, for every effort to do right is regarded.

Fathers and mothers who lack wisdom to govern and train children for useful lives should together ask God in faith, who gives generously without reproach, with faithful efforts accompanied by His blessing. They need wisdom to judge each case rightly and deal with individual temperaments and minds to bring them up in the fear of God, since no single rule fits all and each child's peculiar disposition must be studied. In this way parents are united instead of divided, harsh or indulgent, balancing minds in the right direction at the right time with calm love. They should ask the Lord for wisdom in private prayer each day, so self-importance does not take hold and speech is not controlled by the enemy, and Christian parents who earnestly seek God can trust Him to hear and give wisdom and help in working for their children's conversion.

Every morning parents are to lay their plans before the Lord and ask Him for wisdom to rule the home and for the home school, and it shall be given them. That wisdom is to teach obedience from baby life without cross or rasping words, to require obedience, to educate to self-control rather than letting children follow childish impulses, to force circumstances to resist the devil so he flees, and to stand unconquered and unmastered in the greatest difficulties as conquerors and not conquered. Having asked, they are not to act out Satan's promptings or speak in a way that shows Christ is not abiding in the heart by faith, but to speak to children in a way that gives life. They stand as God's husbandry and God's building placed under His hand to be fashioned after the divine similitude, acting faithfully as co-workers with God in fashioning minds and characters to walk in the way of the Lord as members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, without placing parental defects upon them or allowing a shade of darkness into their lives, and parents who need wisdom to discipline a wayward child should seek His forgiveness for passing on difficult tendencies and ask for wisdom to correct in a way that draws the child nearer to them and to God.

Christ as head of His church and the unfailing dependence of His people will give needed grace to all who seek Him for wisdom and instruction. Parents who constantly instruct children in the Word of God to secure their salvation and keep them from temptation, learning together with them, will receive this grace and grow rapidly in grace and in knowledge of the truth. With unbelief gone, faith, activity, assurance and confidence are deepened as they follow on to know the Lord, and their prayers are made more earnest and sincere.

Teachers should seek wisdom from God so they can avoid mistakes, be kept from error, and prepare each student for best service, telling students of the Lord's provision for going onward conquering and to conquer and leading them to trust God to give wisdom when they lack it. Teachers in schools who lack wisdom must ask it of God by searching the Scriptures to understand for themselves, opening hearts to the light God has given in His Word and walking in that light, and they will be taught of God, practicing the truth and working in entirely different lines, bringing in less of the theories and sentiments of men who never had connection with God, honoring finite wisdom far less and hungering for wisdom from God. Sabbath-school workers should pray daily for wisdom and strength to serve well, praying with their classes and teaching them to pray with short, simple, earnest petitions. Pupils and teachers alike should look to God for light rather than depend on others to think for them, with students learning from Him how to learn to best advantage and humbly seeking His guidance and counsel before making decisions, including whether to follow advice from teachers, and not acting without it.

True education requires wisdom from God alone sought first at every step, with God recognized as giver and source of all wisdom, efficiency and power, and with learning from books bound by the Holy Spirit to living faith in Him. That wisdom is received by seeking His counsel and humbly asking and waiting for His guidance before any move, even when teachers advise, and does not come merely from talent, education or bright thoughts, for those who rely on their own thoughts instead of depending on God can fail, while seeking His wisdom enables sound judgment and growth. Students can claim God's power by faith as they train minds, make diligent effort and master studies, for religion does not excuse laziness, and all may draw from Him as the inexhaustible source of wisdom and knowledge as they advance in understanding and become more capable of honoring and glorifying Him. Study that leads to false ideas is not valuable education, for ideas that separate youth from God cut them off from that wisdom and leave them the sport of temptation, so a pure education unmixed with heathen philosophy requires putting away erroneous, polluted literature whose ideas are seeds of sin, with the Bible as foundation rather than deceptive higher education.

Wisdom to Understand Scripture

The promise applies to seeking understanding of Scripture and to being kept from errors of judgment and false or misguided actions, and wisdom for this is received through sincere faithful prayer. The asking must be in faith without wavering, for doubt makes a person unstable and gives no ground to expect an answer, so faith is to be cultivated rather than reliance on sight, and God's promises are to be held fast. No one is to make others carry all difficulties and perplexities, but is to seek wisdom from God directly.

Wisdom to understand Scripture and find its truths comes from God when humbly asked, and anyone who lacks it has the right to ask much of Him through prayer and Scripture. God gives generously to all without reproach, and what is asked in faith, nothing wavering, shall be given to one who trusts in His hands and believes He will do as promised. This wisdom gives spiritual discernment to distinguish human theories from the living Word, instead of making the words of men the standard, and to turn to human help while forgetting His promise puts a slight upon the Saviour and shows unwillingness to trust Him. Understanding Scripture depends not chiefly on education or intellectual ability but on humility and faith that rely on God, with prejudice and personal theories set aside and the Word studied with a humble heart for present and eternal welfare. In this way wisdom needed to understand how to gain eternal life is given, God's word directs the way to eternal life, and heaven's mysteries become treasures of the mind bringing light and truth.

The promise guards against discouragement in studying Revelation because of its apparently mystical symbols, assuring God-fearing teachers and students that they can ask for and receive wisdom to clearly comprehend and present the gospel Jesus came in person to make known to John. Its symbols should not discourage readers, who are to seek God's wisdom as they study the book. The Bible should never be studied without prayer, and before opening its pages prayer should ask God for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, which will then be given. When light to understand Scripture was asked for, as when Zwingle asked, the Scriptures became easier to understand.

Asking goes together with taking the Bible as textbook, searching the Scriptures for explicit practical instruction, and practicing the truth which gives light to all who read, understand and obey. Perplexities and burdens belong to Jesus Christ the Counselor and Wonderful Counselor, not to human souls, and laying them on men and seeking counsel from men puts men where God should be and brings only human help. Each person is to do his own work and gain knowledge and intelligence by diligent use of his own powers, for it was never designed for one man's mind to do another's thinking, and looking to dependent, finite human wisdom and guidance is a snare and leaning on a broken reed. Those in need are to be pointed to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, who gives power to become sons of God to those who receive and believe on His name, learning God's manifold wisdom in coming to Christ. God's servants seeking wisdom for united work are to seek God themselves rather than depend on distant human advisers, consulting and praying together with others while seeking counsel in Scripture and looking to Jesus for direction lest they be led astray.

Bible study must join full use of the mind with prayerful dependence on God, exerting mind and understanding to grasp the deep things of God as far as mortals can, yet with the docility and submission of a child and a humble, teachable spirit. Scriptural difficulties are not mastered by the methods used for philosophical problems or with the self-reliance used in science, but by sincere desire to learn God's will and to obtain knowledge from the great I AM. Without this prayerful dependence, evil angels blind the mind and harden the heart so truth makes no impression. Eternal wisdom is found in a Thus saith the Lord, the only remedy for the healing of individual and national troubles even though God's Word is little practiced. Anyone who lacks wisdom may call upon God for it anywhere and at any time, even in the streets and marketplace where a person cannot kneel to pray.

Fruit of Receiving Wisdom

Living by every word in living connection with the source of wisdom improves mental and moral capabilities, giving clearer understanding than before the heart was opened to the word of life. Mental powers grow and expand as truth brought into the heart influences the whole being, renewing the mind, removing blindness and darkness, and causing true light to shine forth. No one need remain ignorant, for God is the open source, and seeking Him enables growth in wisdom, with experience gained through dependence becoming knowledge. He gives understanding in both temporal and spiritual matters, sharpens the intellect, and supplies tact and skill, so success comes not from human ability alone but from what He can do for those who believe. Coming directly to Him rather than to dependent human beings allows learners to learn His manifold wisdom, while absence of Christ's grace leads to wrong decisions that call light darkness and darkness light.

To the believing soul is opened a way to receive the virtues of Christ's character, the truth as it is in Jesus, and the faith which works by love and purifies the soul. Those who live in close fellowship are promoted to positions of trust and admitted to familiar intercourse, becoming one with Christ in faithful discharge of duty. The one who comes in faith bears witness in character that the Saviour has entered the life to direct all and pervade all, constantly looking to Jesus as author and finisher of faith. He continually asks whether this is God's will and way, consults the will of the divine Friend in all actions, and has made it a habit to lift the heart to God in every perplexity and uncertainty. In this way grace enables honoring God and encouraging noble impulses in others, sharing the Spirit's life-giving influence rather than influencing through pride of opinion.

Humbly asking equips believers to build a Christlike character, to receive grace and power for difficult duties, and to serve as a channel of God's love to others. The promise is claimed through earnest persevering prayer in faith without wavering, with eyes fixed on Christ the Mediator, who hears and answers the sincere seeker. Jesus cleanses those who keep looking to Him and joins His wisdom to the weakness of those who long for His companionship. Such humble acknowledgment of weakness and changed course brings steadfastness to one unsettled by others' influence, instead of instability that receives nothing. This wisdom also steadies and readies for greater responsibility, regulates thoughts toward God and others, and gives strength against daily evil.

The wisdom teaches right use of every God-given faculty and every part of the body under God's wise supervision rather than under Satan's dictation. Enthusiasm for advancing the work does not justify overtaxing mental and physical strength, but wisdom helps use entrusted powers wisely. By receiving and sharing Christ's grace the seeker pursues perfection of character. Asking must be in faith without wavering, for the waverer is like a wave driven and tossed, double-minded and unstable, and must not expect to receive.

Through communion God gives wisdom to obey His Word and to show love as workers together with Him, far more plainly than before. Strength comes in union with God through His Son and with one another, as the seeker talks with God, places self in His hands, chooses words carefully, and avoids hasty action. Taking personal needs to Christ the Wonderful Counselor in trust brings help and instruction. Coming humbly and teachably like a child and learner, rather than thinking one already knows everything, opens connection with the God of power and wisdom. The one who comes in faith continually seeks the Saviour's will in every action and turns to Him in perplexity and uncertainty, with the mind enabled to act intelligently in harmony with God's law rather than following inclination.

Those who often pray for wisdom from above become more like God. Their rough manners and uncontrolled tempers are brought into obedience to God's law as they seek this wisdom. As they seek to improve every talent they become more Christlike in words and actions, with the Saviour controlling mind, will, and heart.

Unlimited blessings with all heaven at command belong to those who realize lack of wisdom, feel need, and come directly to God as the source of all wisdom with intensity of purpose and desire to do His will. Jesus waits for His people to feel need, and when they draw near He draws near and by infinite wisdom supplies deficiency, so they submit judgment to His judgment and use all physical, mental, and spiritual powers in earnest willing service. Through the Holy Spirit who understands every necessity He freely supplies what they hunger and thirst for, with spiritual power and enlarged influence for usefulness that makes them partakers of the divine nature. This is received only by holding fast in unwavering faith and refusing to be turned aside, and is forfeited by selfishness and misuse of the entrusted gift. As soon as people realize inability to do God's work and submit to be guided, the Lord can work with them, for when the soul is emptied of self God supplies all necessities, opening a fountain where every thirsty soul may drink the water of life through living faith in Christ as sufficiency. Even personal need for help, strength, grace, and salvation is met as nothing can be done without Christ's continual grace.

Wisdom is to be sought continually, in the encampment, every day and every hour, and can be confidently asked because God has promised to give it. It is needed at every step and for every step, with guidance promised to those who keep minds stayed upon God and prove Him by asking. Asking means going to God for light for oneself daily, following Christ as guide and counselor to obtain clear knowledge of His will, valuable experience, perfection of character, and purification through truth. Early morning rising and dressing is a time for asking counsel, with genuine faith exercised every hour, panting desire, study of the Word, self-examination, and fear of the Lord above human science. In council according to His purpose and as parts of a whole with mutual counsel, faith leads onward so the words of Christ can be heard and precious truth communicated, while looking to others to bring light as a cheaper way leaves one walking in sparks of others' kindling, unacquainted with the Spirit and easily moved.

In faithful discharge of duty the asker gains the most exalted conception of His greatness. Knowing confidence in Him is strength. Those longing to understand the Saviour's love more deeply should ask God for greater wisdom, with tender and loving prayer.

Further points

God provides light to those who accept it in His appointed way, and His wisdom enables people to do what is right and faithfully carry out their daily duties. Asking for that wisdom must be sincere, earnest prayer arising from awareness of need to know God's will, not a prayer quickly forgotten, and if the answer is delayed the asker must wait without wavering, remain firm in faith, and continue to pray and trust the promise, since wavering faith is why many receive nothing. Christ's wisdom is not baffled by recurring difficulties, so believers can move forward in faith and prayer trusting God to guide them, and recurring difficulties do not baffle that wisdom. Each person needs God's wisdom for the experience and appointed work God knows that soul must gain, and no human being should presume to guide or control another person's mind in God's place.

Any believer who lacks wisdom for little matters and church trials should ask God directly for it, for believers can and should settle such things themselves instead of calling ministers away from the larger work to settle them. God gives wisdom liberally to all without reproach, and it shall be given to the one who goes to God for light for himself daily, following Christ as guide and counselor to obtain a clear knowledge of His will, valuable experience, perfection of Christian character, and purification through the truth. The asking must be in faith, nothing wavering, earnest and persevering, for the one who is irresolute and doubts continually whether the Lord will do as promised will receive nothing. Those who look to ministers to bring light from God as a cheaper way lose much, walk in sparks of others' kindling, remain unacquainted with the Spirit of God and His will, become unstable and easily moved from faith by trusting others to obtain experience for them, and dishonor God by professing to follow Christ without experimental knowledge of the divine will and the mystery of godliness.