James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Webster defines the mind as the “The intellectual or intelligent power in man;
the understanding; the power that conceives, judges or reasons.” From this we
understand that the mind is a very important part of a human’s constitution.
In the mind lies countless possibilities and potential that can be utilized
to fulfill an individual’s desires, and with this mind focused a man can
accomplish great deeds and achievements. However, if this mind in man is
distracted between interests and remain in a state of uncertainty he will not
be able to complete any task or be successful in any endeavor. Which brings me
to our subject of Mind Games.
We have an adversary that is opposed to the will and plan of God for our lives.
One of the main targets that the devil attacks is our mind. He knows that if he
can affect the way we think about God, or lead us to a misunderstanding about
His desires for our lives then we will begin to live in a wavering way. According
to our text, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
The devil seeks to play tricks and games with the minds of the people of God, and
he performs this by causing the people of God to become double minded. A double
mind is a mind that is unsettled, undetermined, unstable and shifting at different
times. Now, do not mistake this with when you’re not able to make a decision between
which clothes you’ll wear or which restaurant to eat at. This double mindedness keeps
a child of God from progressing in the things of God. This is a mind that’s not fixed
and settled on the things of God.
One of the main ways that the devil utilizes this weapon on the child of God is to
shift our attention from spiritual things to carnal things. See, he knows that a
carnal minded man is enmity with God. The devil wants to lure the child of God from the
things of God, and chase after worldly gain.
There is nothing wrong with desiring a better life, and working hard in order obtain it.
But as Christians our main focus should be on the things of God. The Apostle Paul told
the church in Colossae that “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth.” Some of us, due to double mindedness, have placed our
affections in the wrong areas, and as a result of this conflict are unable to lead a life
of purpose. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:24 that, “No man can serve to masters.” There’s no
way to merge the carnal with the spiritual. A person has to choose whom they’re going to
live for.
Another way the enemy attacks our minds is to cause us to waver in our faith towards God.
Faith in God yields to believers all the benefits that God is willing to bestow upon us.
Consequently, due to this great attribute of faith, the enemy desires us to become doubtful
as it concerns God.
The devil doesn’t want us to be sure concerning the will of God for our lives. He wants us
to doubt God, and ultimately loose faith in Him. But regardless of how the enemy is trying
to make you feel, Jeremiah 29:11 declares “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” So James
encourages us in the verses prior to our text that if we’re are going to ask and believe God
for something to do it in full assurance of faith not wavering in any way, because he that
wavers will not be in a position to receive anything from the Lord.
So, if the devil has been playing with your mind do not despair. In the 4th chapter of James
verses 7 and 8, James gives us the remedy to realign ourselves with God, so that our affections
will center on Him, and our faith will be grounded and unshakable: “Submit yourselves therefore
to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Do this and,
thereby, arm yourself against the games the devil would seek to play with your mind. Keep in
mind the promise in Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on
thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
