Ye have not, because ye ask not...James 4:3

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:3

This is a scripture in the bible, yes I will involve Bible but not that much, my intention is more in us understanding why "maybe" we don't have cause we don't ask appropriately.

So this is a very popular scripture to quote—especially when you are praying and believing God for something in your life. Jesus instructs us to ‘ask’ in many places in Scripture, so it makes sense that if you don’t have something, it could be because you didn’t ask for it.

When I read this scripture for the first time I was wondering if >>>Does this mean that God will give me whatever I ask for? Is that what James means here...or is there more to the story? Well, there is; and that's what we’re going to look into. Let’s take a closer look at motives as we explore the scriptural idea that you “have not” because you “ask not.”

You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Why Are You Asking? A Look at Motives.

Looking closely at having not because of asking not reveals that the problem is not really in the asking. The problem is in the reason why you are asking. When James wrote this scripture he identified James identifies some of these wrong motives, but the ultimate desire that drives all the others is the burning desire to get something you do not have. This is known as coveting. To covet is to be jealous of something that someone else has, or to possess a strong eagerness to get something that does not belong to you. How do you know if you are experiencing this emotion? One way is to think about how you feel when you see others around you being blessed and it seems like God is passing you by. Do you rejoice in the blessing of others or do you despise them? When someone shares about how God has blessed them, do you feel the need to try to trump their blessing with one of your own? (Cm'eon I How do you know if you are experiencing this emotion? One way is to think about how you feel when you see others around you being blessed and it seems like God is passing you by. Do you rejoice in the blessing of others or do you despise them? When someone shares about how God has blessed them, do you feel the need to try to trump their blessing with one of your own? ( c'mon this trapped me, hope it does you too).

When someone gets a new job, promotion, new house, new car, or any myriad of material blessings...do you find yourself being excited for them, or envious of them instead? If you do, then be careful; because the “covet monster” could be stirring inside you. So the next time someone shares what God is doing in their lives, rejoice with them! The Bible says we should rejoice with those who rejoice. (Rom. 12:15)

The Negative Power of Coveting.

This type of emotion is not only unhealthy, it is a catalyst that leads to fights, quarrels, and yes—even murder.

God in his great wisdom and love, chooses not to answer prayers that are pursued with wrong motives. Can you imagine how we would be if God answered our prayers that were coming from our selfish motives? We would all be a mess.

The 3-Check Prayer Litmus Test.

1. Check your faith.

You simply cannot receive anything from God without faith. Hebrews reminds us of this.

And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

2. Check your ask.

Make sure that what you are asking lines up with God’s will. A great way of doing this is by simply praying the promises God has provided you in his word. If God has promised to do it, then you can be confident in asking for it.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. – 1 John 5:14-15

3. Check your why.

As we have just seen in James, your motives matter, so check your why. Why are you asking for what you are asking for? Be sure to take a close look at your motives. If your motives are pure and right, then you can be confident in asking.

All of this to say >>>> What God is reminding us through James is that while, yes, asking matters and faith matters—motives matter even more.

FYI: This scripture helped me I hope it helps you too.

Yours Faitfully,

Daniella.