To be double-minded means accepting two sets of contrasting beliefs. As believers, we are called to live in the world, but not of it. What does that mean and how can we be sure the false ideas of this world are not diluting the truth of God in our beliefs? In today’s video, learn 5 signs you may be double-minded and what to do if you are.

 

In the past few videos, we’ve discussed how God desires that we use our minds to glorify Him. As we continue this discussion, I would like to talk about double-mindedness. To be double-minded means accepting two sets of contrasting beliefs. The term double-minded is only found in the book of James and the word  double-minded here means someone with two minds or two souls. This person has two desires that will conflict with one another. 

For the Christian specifically, this is concerning because our worldview should be rooted in the truth of God alone. When we try to add any other belief with our belief in Christ, we become double-minded. The Bible tells us that although we live in the world, we are not of the world. (John 17:16) This means, we live here in this fallen world, but we should not allow the ungodly belief systems and ideas of this world to dilute our faith and belief in Christ. Sometimes, it can be hard to differentiate the two. So today I want to share with you 5 signs you may be double-minded and solutions on how to overcome such double-mindedness. 

5 SIGNS YOU MAY BE DOUBLE-MINDED

#1 You Doubt God.

The first sign you may be double-minded is that you doubt God. James 1:6 tells us:

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6 ESV)

The foundation of our relationship with God is the finished work of Christ on the cross. When we doubt what God can do, it’s a sign we don’t truly believe what He’s already done. If we doubt God, it makes it extremely difficult, impossible really, to trust Him. And that’s when we start placing our faith in things outside of God. 

We all face the temptation to doubt God, but James reminds us that instead of looking inward to ourselves or outward to the world, we can look up to God to help us even with our doubt. I think of Thomas who doubted and yet Jesus so graciously revealed Himself to Thomas so that he too would believe. (John 20:24-29) 

#2 You are Unstable and Confused.

The second sign you may be double-minded is that you are unstable in all your ways. James 1:7-8 says:

“For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:7-8 ESV)

When the truth of God is not our foundation, we start looking to this world for answers, we start trying to do things in our own strength, or relying on others to do for us what only God was meant to do. We’ll constantly find ourselves feeling inadequate, disappointed, and betrayed. James says this person is like a wave of the sea, going from one thing to seek significance, another to seek fulfillment, and another when neither workout. When we find ourselves in this unstable state, because of our double-mindedness, we need to re-focus our eyes back on God.

When dancers spin, a trick they use to not become dizzy is to find a focal point to look at as they turn, when they rotate around they ensure that they regain their focal point so they don’t lose their balance. 

When we are double-minded, we are looking everywhere, and become confused, and lose our footing. But when our focus is on Christ, we don’t get tossed around by the ideologies of this world, but find ourselves rooted and established in the truth of God. 

#3 You are caught in sin.

The third sign you may be double-minded is that you are caught in habitual sin. All sin is rooted in disbelief in God and double-mindedness breeds that disbelief, that leads to a life against God. It may be subtle and slow, but the result is the same.

When we’re double-minded, we’re led to question if God is really worth the sacrifice of living a holy life for Him. The solution? Draw near to God and see that He is in fact worth it. James 4:8 says:

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV)

When we are close to God, know Him intimately, and are filling our hearts and minds with His truth, we don’t have space to fill ourselves with the lies of this world that feed our desire to sin. We need to be partaking in the living water of Jesus and the bread of life (which is God’s Word) every day. This is why Jesus prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) We need God to satisfy us with His truth every single day, or we will become overcome by the desire of our flesh to consume what was never meant for us. 

Have you ever gone to the grocery store hungry and then bought all types of unhealthy food? I know I have. But when I go to the store already full, I’m not as tempted to buy empty calories. I’m not in a rush to quickly satisfy my cravings because I’m already satisfied. 

In the same way, we can’t go out in this world thirsty. Draw near to God and let Him fulfill you.

#4 You are diluting your faith in Christ.

The fourth sign you may be double-minded is that you are diluting your faith in Christ. Christ alone is not enough for you. You want Jesus and astrology. You want Jesus and New Age beliefs. Jesus and another religion. Jesus and worry. Jesus and my own works. 

We see this during the lifetime of the Prophet Elijah. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, have decided that they will serve God, but they will also serve another god called Baal. The King of the Israelites, Ahab was married to Queen Jezebel who was a devout Baal worshiper. Instead of choosing which God they would serve, the Israelites decided they would serve both. They worship the God of their ancestors, the One True Living God, but they would sprinkle a little Baal worship in there too.  

However, God was not about to share their affections, so He sent a drought and the prophet Elijah to get their attention and make them decide. You can read more about the encounter in 1 Kings chapters 18, 19, and 20. I also wrote a book about it called “Daughters of Fire.” Click here if you want to check that out as well. 

My main point is God is not jealous of you, but He is jealous for you. He calls us to love Him with our whole minds, bodies and souls and we can’t do that if our affections are divided. Jonah 2:8 tell us:

“Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.” (Jonah 2:8 ESV)

God calls us to such a devoted life because He doesn’t want us to waste our lives on the empty idols of this world. He wants the best for us which is Himself. 

#5 You are confused and in conflict with yourself. 

The fifth sign you may be double-minded is that you are frequently confused and in conflict with yourself. If you are double-minded, making decisions may be very challenging. If you are accepting world-views that are in conflict with one another, you may become confused as to which way to go. Jesus describes it that way: 

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 ESV)

The main cure for double-mindedness to make a decision. Who will you serve? Who will you believe? And don’t be mistaken, choosing to not make a decision, is a decision. In Joshua 25:15, he makes his decision clear:

“ And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josuha 25:15 ESV)

It all comes down to a decision. Will you choose the world or the Word? God’s truth is not going to change, and His promises are here to stay. If there is any confusion, God’s wisdom is always one prayer away. 

Now I’d love to hear from you Beloved. What are some other signs of a double-minded person and what encouragement would you give them to choose Christ? Let’s encourage each other in the comments.

Before you go, I want to invite you to join Beloved to receive my free video Bible study called “Worry-Free” where I teach the 3 major lies feeding your worry and the Biblical truth to combat each lie to set you free from the trap of worry. Click here to download for free today.

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