James calls attention to the double-mindedness in his introduction.

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Later in his books he mentions it again.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Though mentioned in only these two passages, double-mindness or what in Greek James literally calls two-souled appears as the defining theme of James. It plays a role in almost every passage of this little book.

The theme continues in the duality that James describes

The double minded man is moved by circumstances (poverty and riches)

The double minded man is at odds with God’s constant goodness.

The double minded man plays favorites (favors the rich and ignores the poor)

The double minded man is inconsistent with words and actions (speaks but has not faith)

The double minded man speaks out of both sides of his mouth (blesses and curses)

The double minded man

I recently had a conversation with a friend in which he was repulsed at the thought of confessing his sins to anyone but God. “God alone can forgive,” he objected. But while God’s forgiveness is an important end of confession, confession is not just about forgiveness. Confession, the act of admitting sin to another, is also the means to heal the divide in us. It’s about bringing into one the person that we are and the person we know we should be. James was written to address this problem.

The Double Minded-Man in the Book of James

The theme of the double minded-man or what in the Greek he literally calls the two-spirited man plays an important role in almost every passage of this little book.

James calls attention to the divided self in his introduction between faith and doubt

Next James turns to those who claim that God is tempting them to sin. James wants them to make no mistake. Their own duality is what is driving them to sin.

“God cannot be tempted by evil, and Himself does not tempt anyone”

The reason for is that unlike us He is One and the same in all his ways.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17)

The theme of the divided self continues throughout the rest of James.

James 1:22

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

James 2:1

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

James 2:14

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

James 3:10

From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren produce olives, or a vineproduce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy…

James 4:7-8

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:12

But above all, my brethren, do not swear either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall into judgment

James statement on confession at the end of his little letter thus becomes extremely important for understanding how we fix the problem of the divided self. Through the act of confession we take an active step in eradicating the divide. Confession wips away our masks and leaves standing naked and exposed before our God who is One and the church who is was made in his image.

“Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”(James 5:16)