Clicky

What does the Bible mean when it says “You have not because you ask not?” – Viral Believer
Skip to content

What does the Bible mean when it says “You have not because you ask not?”

Introduction

The Bible is filled with wisdom and guidance for every aspect of our lives, providing direction on how to live a life that pleases God. One of the most powerful teachings found in the Scriptures is the importance of prayer and our relationship with God.

Among the many verses on prayer, there is one that often causes confusion and debate: “You have not because you ask not.” In this blog post, we will delve into the meaning of this statement, as found in the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, and explore how it applies to our daily lives as followers of Christ.

“You have not because you ask not” is a passage from James 4:2, which states, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”

This verse is nestled within a broader context of James’ teachings on worldliness, humility, and our dependence on God. By examining this verse in its context and exploring its implications, we can gain a deeper understanding of the role of prayer in our lives and how it can bring us closer to God.

To fully comprehend the meaning of “You have not because you ask not,” we must first understand the principles of prayer and the importance of seeking God’s will in our lives. Prayer is a conversation with God, a means of expressing our gratitude, confessing our sins, asking for guidance, and seeking His help.

The Bible teaches us that God desires a close relationship with His children, and through prayer, we can nurture and strengthen that relationship. With this foundation in place, let us examine the message behind James 4:2 and how it can shape our approach to prayer and our walk with God.

the Bible

The Context of James 4:2

In order to grasp the meaning of “You have not because you ask not,” it’s crucial to examine the context of the passage. James 4:1-3 sets the stage for this teaching:

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

In this passage, James is addressing the conflict and strife that arises from our sinful desires. These desires lead to actions that are contrary to God’s will, resulting in our inability to obtain what we desire.

The key to unlocking the power of prayer lies in understanding that our requests should be aligned with God’s will and not merely an attempt to satisfy our own selfish desires.

Asking According to God’s Will

The Bible teaches that when we ask according to God’s will, He hears us and answers our prayers (1 John 5:14-15). In James 4:3, we are warned that when we ask with wrong motives, we will not receive what we desire. The key to effective prayer, then, is to align our requests with God’s will and purpose.

Jesus modeled this attitude in His own prayers. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39, NKJV). Jesus demonstrated complete submission to the Father’s will, even when facing the suffering of the cross.

As followers of Christ, we should seek to align our prayers with God’s will, asking for what He desires rather than what merely pleases us. When we submit to God’s will in our prayers, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom and guidance, acknowledging that He knows what is best for us.

Persistent and Faithful Prayer

Another aspect of effective prayer is persistence and faith. Jesus taught His disciples the importance of persistent prayer through the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). In this parable, a widow continually petitions a judge for justice against her adversary.

The judge, although initially reluctant, eventually grants her request because of her persistence. Jesus uses this story to illustrate that if an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will our loving Father respond to our persistent prayers.

Moreover, faith plays a crucial role in our prayer life. In James 1:6-7, we are instructed to ask in faith, without doubting, for “he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.”

When we approach God in prayer, we must do so with unwavering faith, trusting that He will answer according to His perfect will and timing.

Putting it All Together

When we understand the context and principles behind the statement “You have not because you ask not,” it becomes clear that this verse is a call to examine our hearts and motives when approaching God in prayer.

It serves as a reminder that we must align our desires with God’s will, ask with the right motives, and approach Him with persistence and faith.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the phrase “You have not because you ask not” found in James 4:2 is a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer in our lives as followers of Christ. It calls us to examine our motives and to align our prayers with God’s will, rather than merely seeking to satisfy our own desires.

By approaching God with humility, persistence, and faith, we can deepen our relationship with Him and experience the power of prayer in our lives.

Let us be encouraged to draw near to God in prayer, seeking His will and guidance in every aspect of our lives. As we do so, we can trust that He will hear and answer our prayers according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

And as we grow in our understanding of prayer and our relationship with God, we will experience the peace, joy, and strength that come from a life surrendered to His will.

May we be inspired by the words of James and seek to live a life of prayer that honors God and brings us closer to Him, knowing that He is always ready to listen and respond to the sincere, humble, and faithful prayers of His children.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.