Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea… their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:6-8)

Traitor. It’s an ugly word in every language, while loyalty is valued in every culture. A traitor is one who has pretended to be committed to one side while courting the other. We instinctively know that a person with divided loyalties is unstable and should be avoided. Yet, in our relationships with God, we think divided loyalty is normal. We may even think God is a bit like a homeless guy with a sign: “Will bless for prayer.” We imagine God is so desperate for our attention that He is thrilled with anything we give Him, so we say things like, “I don’t go to church or read the Bible. I get drunk and sleep around, but I do pray. I pray nearly every day on my way to work.” And we assume God is tickled with us. That’s a person with divided loyalty.

If we’re going to ask for wisdom, we have to ask in faith, believing that we have it. We can’t treat prayer like a slot machine: plunk in some words and hope for the best. Faith is demonstrated before we ask, by a lifestyle of fellowship with God and a heart to please Him. God offers wisdom to anyone who needs it, but we must be wholly His. He doesn’t work with traitors.

Final Thought:  Are you a spiritual traitor? Is your loyalty divided between God and the world? It’s time to fix that.

Prayer: Father, your word convicts me. I don’t like to think of myself as a traitor to you, but my actions often are. I want to be fully committed, stable, and when I ask for wisdom, you will give it. I recommit myself to your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.