What does it mean to be a double-minded man according to the scriptures? Why is it even important to know this? In this blog post, we’ll be taking a deep dive into what it means to be a double-minded believer and how we can break free from double-mindedness.
The battle of the mind.
To understand what it means to be double-minded, we must first realise that spiritual warfare often happens in the mind.
‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ’
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (bold emphasis mine)
The battle between life and death happens in your mind! When you yield your mind to the devil, you let him win and you become a slave to sin which leads to death; but when you yield your mind to the Lord and are obedient to Him, you bear fruit that leads to righteousness.
‘Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?’ Romans 6:16
This is why the bible says in Romans 12:1
‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’
Did you see that? Your mind is what determines whether you conform to this world or whether you live out the will of God for your life.
The importance of setting your mind
‘Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.’ Colossians 3:2
Where and what we place our minds on matters. If we put our minds on things that do not build us up, we will not experience the peace and joy God has for us. Now this goes beyond things that appear outrightly wrong or sinful. It is often the seemingly innocent activities that are not sinful in themselves, but they draw our minds away from God. Movies, social media, entertainment, and games are designed to contend for our minds. When we spend all our time on entertainment and do not spend quality time seeking and waiting on the Lord, our minds will be filled with what the world gives, which is anxiety, fear, strife, and doubt and we will struggle to fulfil God’s will for our lives. So, guard your mind and fill it with the word of God.
The characteristics of a double-minded man
Let’s take a closer look at what the scripture says so we can better understand the ways of a double-minded man.
‘ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.’
James 1:5-8 (bold emphasis mine)
A double-minded man is a man who lacks faith in God
The scripture says that a man who doubts can be compared to the ups and downs of the waves of the sea. One day he is strong in faith and full of zeal for God, and the next day he is plagued with worry not believing that the things God has said will come to pass. The result of this is that he cannot receive anything from God because without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)
A double-minded man is not committed to the word of God
We have already seen that a double-minded man lacks faith. However, the Bible says that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). So, you cannot have faith if you do not study the word of God continually. It cannot be a once-a-week or twice-a-week tick-box exercise. It must be a continuous lifestyle. Without the word of God dwelling in our hearts, there is no faith, and where there is no faith, there you find a double-minded man. I discuss more about studying the bible in the blog post, ‘God’s word and You: how to study the bible effectively’.
A double-minded man is not a doer of the word
The proof that you have faith is that you obey God’s word because faith without works is dead. (James 2:26) You may hear the word of God in church or during bible study, but if you do not do what it says, it is of no use to you.
‘For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.’ James 1:23-25
The danger of double mindedness
Double mindedness robs us of what is ours in Christ. It keeps us paralyzed in fear and we are not able to take hold of the promises of God. This is because at the very root of double mindedness is unbelief.
The Bible says in James 1:7
‘Let not that man think he will receive anything from God’
This isn’t because God has decided to withhold His blessings but because unbelief hinders the manifestation of God on the earth. At certain points in His ministry, even Jesus could not do mighty works in some places because of their unbelief.
‘Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief’
Matthew 13:58
How to break free from double-mindedness
In case you missed it, we have established that being double-minded means lacking faith and not knowing or obeying the word of God. Therefore the way out of double-mindedness is knowing the word of God. Let the word of God fill your heart and mind through continuous study of the bible and the help of the Holy Spirit. When you do this, faith will rise in your heart and double-mindedness will be a thing of the past.
‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.’ Colossians 3:16
Prayer and reflection
Dear friend, Iearning about the double-minded man has been a personal journey of conviction for me. On reflection, I realised that there were certain ways I had not given God my full attention or not completely yielded to His word. What about you? Have you identified areas of your life where you have been double-minded? Choose to break free and let God’s word dwell in you from today.
Say this prayer with me.
Dear Lord, thank you for showing me the areas of my life where I have been double-minded. I want to know your word. Please help me set my mind on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
