The Greek word translated “double-minded” is dipsuchos, from dis, meaning “twice,” and psuche, meaning “mind.” James uses the word to describe someone divided in his interests or loyalties, wavering or uncertain and half-hearted. Double-mindedness is a theme throughout his letter.
Even godly men in the Bible sometimes lapsed into double-mindedness. John, who baptized Jesus Christ, saw the Holy Spirit descend upon His Saviour in the form of a dove, and heard a voice from heaven declare, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22). Yet, when in prison, where he would ultimately be beheaded, John sent men to Christ asking, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Luke 7:19-20). Even though John’s words reflected doubt, Christ described him as greater than any prophet born before him (Luke 7:28). We can all begin to doubt when God seems not to respond to our prayers during a crisis.
Before asking God for anything, we should examine ourselves to see if what we are asking is according to His will as the Apostle John points out: “…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). John also stresses the role of obedience in our prayerful approach to God: “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).
Double-mindedness can creep into our approach if we do not live by the Word of God, and James admonishes us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22-25). See also Luke 11:27-28. Christ also warned everyone “who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them” is “foolish” (Matthew 7:24-26). Although no one can earn salvation by anything he or she does, we can lose our salvation by being “hearers only” (Hebrews 2:1-4).
Our fellowship can also reflect double-mindedness if we favour wealthy, influential people, singling them out for special treatment when they “come into your assembly”? (James 2:2-4). In some congregations in James’s day, the rich apparently garnered more respect and qualified for better seating than the poor. James was aware of the problems that can result from hypocritical, two-faced fellowship, because he was indirectly involved in a conflict between the Apostles Paul and Peter (Galatians 2:11-16). Peter and others showed partiality in fellowship when “certain men came from James” (Galatians 2:12-13). In this instance they “would eat with the Gentiles; but when they [Jewish believers sent from James] came, he withdrew and separated himself [from eating with the gentiles], fearing those who were of the circumcision.”
Peter strayed from a lesson Jesus had taught him before through a vision, after which he stated: “In truth I perceived that God shows no partiality,” when he learned that : “… in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). See also Romans 2:11. Our Creator impartially judges us ( Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17) and Jesus sacrificed His life for everyone, regardless of rank or privilege.
James also targets the double-minded approach to keeping the law of God (James 2:8-9). (James 2:10) tells us: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” showing that embracing one of the Ten Commandments while breaking another is a double-minded approach and is the same as breaking the “whole law.”
Jesus Christ prophesied about a time after His return when He will say to many who cry out to Him, “Lord, Lord.” He will reply to some who say this: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:21-23). Without adhering to the specifics of God’s law each person decides for himself what love is. The Bible clearly defines love: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).
James challenged Christians show tangible evidence of our beliefs: “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18), adding in verse 20 that “faith without works is dead.” Refering to Abraham’s example of faith, James poses the question: “Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:22).
Another way we can be double-minded is by what we say. James warns that with our tongue “we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men” (James 3:9). We often speak out of both sides of our mouth and are, therefore, double-minded (James 3:1-12). We should examine the thoughts of our minds and hearts, for, as Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). We must “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV), assimilating God’s words and ideals (James 4:8). We should pray without doubting, read God’s Word with care, fellowship without bias, have faith while consistently keeping God’s law, and speak edifying words that inspire others to honor God.
