James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. man: — I. THE CHARACTER OF ONE WHO IS IRRESOLUTE AND UNFIXED IN HIS LEADING VIEWS AND DESIRES. 1. His understanding is various. 2. He acts as if he had two wills. 3. His affections are spiritual or carnal, serious or sensual, heavenly or worldly, just as the two contrary principles of flesh and spirit prevail in him, which alternately sway the mind, and of which alternate sway this variableness of temper is the certain effect. II. THE EFFECT OF THIS UNHAPPY TEMPER. 1. The double-minded man is inconstant in his purposes and pursuits. 2. Another effect of such a divided heart is that it can seldom in good earnest fall in with the dictates of conscience in the plainest instances of duty. 3. The double-minded man is easily overcome in an hour of temptation.Lessons: 1. There is no man but what hath, and must have, some leading views in life, some grand point at which he aims, and to which he makes almost all his other views subservient. 2. Common understanding and reason will lead a man to examine what this great end is that he drives at. 3. Every man, as a reasonable creature, endowed by his Maker with reflection and understanding, should take special care that his governing aims be right. 4. Before we can know what ought to be our great and governing views, we must know what we are and what we are designed for. 5. That to serve and please and fear that great God that gave us being is our great concern, and ought at all times to be our governing view, as reasonable creatures born for immortality. (John Mason, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. |
    |