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Read Introduction to James

 

“For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord…”

 

For let not that man suppose

The word “suppose” signifies to expect, imagine. The word “for” connects us to the vacillator who believes and then disbelieves (verse 6).

“That man” is emphatic. James makes a strong point about the kind of people to whom God responds with answered prayer. God does not answer the prayers of presumptuous people who do not even believe their own prayers. He is not under obligation to answer anyone, especially those who seriously doubt His ability to answer prayer.

that he will receive anything from the Lord

If believers do not ask in “faith” (v5), they will not receive anything from the Lord. A distrusting vacillator does not receive answered prayer. Doubt cuts off answered prayer.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3).

Principle:

The flip-flop Christian does not receive answered prayer from the Lord.

Application:

Some of us make suppositions about prayer that are wrong. We think just because we pray that God will answer that prayer. No, God answers the prayer of faith. The person who exercises trust in God will be honored for that trust.

God states that He liberally gives to those who ask of Him, yet some of us come to Him with the idea He gives to us like a pauper. Where do we get such audacity? If we ask something of God, we should expect to receive something from Him.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18).

”Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” (Luke 18:1).

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