Ask Amiss?

What in the world does this mean? Why do we always read the King James Version? Why are we so in love with this outdated translation from the 1600s? Questions that need to be answered.

We are so programed by the “Church” to read this outdated version. Not that anything is wrong with it as long as you have a Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, or a W. E. Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words to help you understand what you are reading.

The King James Version is at times very difficult to read and comprehend, and unless you are a student of the Bible, you will gloss over some words that have real meaning to them, unless you have access to the Greek as the original King James translators had when they translated it into English.

I would like to recommend three other translations to read as you study Gods word. One of my all time favorites is the Amplified Bible, I really like the richness of it. Another is the J. B. Phillips translation, and at times I like to read the Message Bible. There are others and each have their own applications as helps. Remember all Bibles are translations, including the KJV, contrary to religious beliefs. Now back to my questions ” What does it mean to ask amiss?”

The Greek word is Kakos, which means badly, miserably, or worthless. Mr. Webster defines it as improper. This scripture is from James 4:3, where he is talking to the Church about being a disciple or a mature believer. Their motives were wrong or out of balance and needed to be corrected, as they were being very childish and self centered. He saw the need to set up a standard for them to adhere to. Putting away the old and putting on the new.

The Amplified Bible translates this verse James was writing to say “or do you ask God for them and fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intentions is when you get what you desire, to spend it in sensual pleasure.”

Phillips translates it to say ‘ You do not get what you want because you do not ask God for it. And when you do ask, He does not give it to you, for you ask in quite the wrong spirit, you want to satisfy your own desires.”

I see what James is talking about and it is very different to what the “Church” teaches. But taking things out of context is what they seem to do best. They teach you must ask in some special way or manner. And they are partially right. Our attitude is part of the problem in asking and receiving.

As I have said many times before, if you want to know what the Word of God says, you must read and study it for yourself. Never take someone else’s opinion. Own it yourself. We have been taught a lot of things wrongly by Preachers who were only clones of their teachers, and if the teacher is wrong, they will be also. Whatever someone teaches it must be in the context the author wrote it. Never take a part of a verse to make your case unless it lines up with scripture as a whole.

This study is about asking our Father for something we need or want. The Word of God tells us that when we ask God for something, He not only hears us but can look at our motives and see the real reason we want something (Matthew 7:7-8, Philippians 4:6, John 16:24). God says in His Word (Psalm 37:4) He will give us the desires of our heart. There are conditions to this promise and they must be met first.

Our spirit is made in the image of God and His ways are now our ways, and His thoughts are now to be our thoughts. I know preachers teach this another way, but if we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) then we have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), and are able to renew our minds to Gods way of thinking as we read the Word of God (Romans 12:2). As we do this our motives will be in line with His Word, and become obedient to His Word, we can rest assured that God will give us the desires of our heart.

The key to having the desires of our heart is to first find out the will of God on whatever you want or need (God is not a magic genie). He is our Father and He cares for us. He knows our innermost thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12). This is where the “ask amiss” comes from. Not quite on target, would be another way of saying it. But if you have searched the Bible for His will on anything you need or want, then you are on solid ground and your request can then be asked in faith because you have His word on it.

Remember His words will not return to Him void or unfulfilled. Unlike us, He remembers every word He has ever spoken. We are His children and we have not taken our position very seriously. Dig into Gods word and become a student that never needs to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15).

We are all in this together, we are family and we need each other more than we realize. James 4:8 reminds us to draw close to God and He will draw closer to us. I hope this helps you in your pursuit of knowing God as your Father. I am trying to get you there by my pen and paper. I am always here for you if you ever need to ask any questions, please write me at my email address.

Times are hard, but remember, You will make it, just don’t give up. See you next week.