10 Traits of Double-mindedness

Double-mindedness, in essence, is the fear of commitment. And by not committing to anything, he has committed to what he is least likely to commit.

As the subtitle describes, double-mindedness in essence is a fear of commitment. 

A fear of commitment comes from the fear of failure, 

and the fear of failure comes from the fear of rejection, 

the fear of rejection comes from insecurity, 

insecurity comes from the confusion about identity, 

and being confused about identity is the symptom of all who have not experienced a complete salvation and abided in Christ. 

“He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:8

This is probably the first time double-mindedness has a clear biblical definition, however, throughout the Bible, we can see that this is a signature trait of Satan and an outrageous evil God hates. 

Due to our sinful nature, all men are double-minded, only that some are more double-minded than the others.

The purpose of this article is for us to examine ourselves first and then to help others who are trapped in this limbo to receive complete salvation in Jesus Christ.

Technically, this article can be split into three, but I want to make sure those who are self-diagnosed as “double-minded” find hope at the end.

In this article:

1. Lukewarmness vs. double-mindedness

2. 10 traits of double-mindedness
   

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3. A heart problem or a Mind problem?

4. 4 destructive consequences

5. 7 tips to deliverance

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Lukewarmness vs. double-mindedness

These two are different.

Lukewarm Christians are static—meaning that they are comfortable where they are, ignoring that God will spit them out. (Revelation 3:16)

However, double-minded men are dynamic—they keep going back and forth restlessly. They suffer from their own double-mindedness.

Double-mindedness is not a final stage—it’s a transition. This double-minded person will either be fully convinced or fully corrupted.

Double-minded believers struggle with their faith extra harder. They know better but can’t do better; they can’t give up on sin yet hate themselves for sinning. 

“One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.” Romans 14:5

While you’re offended reading through this article, hang in there. In this fallen world, the truth is always offensive, but the truth will set you free. The enemy programmed lies into us that became strongholds. You can’t pull down the strongholds without radical force. 

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10 Traits of double-mindedness

All 10 traits come from the same cause: double-minded men fear of making a commitment. 

First, let’s trace the origin of double-mindedness.

And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”

So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Job 1:7

In this conversation, Satan answered God’s question by not answering it.

What did Jesus say about that?

“But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.” Matthew 5:37

Photo by Photos_frompasttofuture on Unsplash

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From the scripture above, we can conclude the first trait of being double-minded:

№1 Vagueness, elusiveness

They can’t give you a clear answer. Like Satan, they are the masters of confusion and the art of answering by not answering. 

A great example is the word, “partner.”

When I first came to the United States, I thought people were talking about their business partners. This is not to accuse anyone for using this word—I used this word quite often, unintentionally—what we should be aware is this word’s underlying logic.

No gender, no sexual orientation, no relationship status—basically, it means “acquaintance.” It’s created to hide and confuse, not to reveal and clarify.

№2 Waywardness, caprice

“For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.” Proverbs 1:32

They don’t have plans—or they plan a lot but never follow through. 

They want to be a baker and act on it quickly, purchasing all the appliances and ingredients, but if you ask them two weeks later, they’d tell you they are rather gifted in music and they should start a band. 

Because of that, double-minded individuals have a hard time accomplishing anything that takes time and consistent effort.

№3 Shallowness, nothing takes root in them

They are the rocky ground Jesus described in the Parable of the Sower.

“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”
Matthew 13:20–21

See that Jesus described these people “at once receive it with joy.” Double-minded men are often passionate, but because they have no roots, their passion is fruitless. 

№4 Forgetfulness

In Exodus, when the Israelites forgot about God’s works of miracles, they sinned. Double-minded men are forgetful. Whatever God has done for them, they can’t hold fast to it in trials or in prosperity. 

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 1:23–24

As believers, our life starts with a promise of God, and the journey is about holding fast to that promise till its manifestation.

Double-minded men receive the promise with joy but because of their forgetfulness, they can’t witness its fulfillment—they can’t live to prove out the perfect will of God and His faithfulness.

As a result, their doubt in God increases, and they’re trapped in this bad cycle, until they make a decision to surrender or to apostasize.

№5 Inconsistency 

Their words contradict with actions, and their actions don’t last. 

They talk a lot, swear a lot, promise a lot—it’s not even intended to deceive. They are sincere in what they talk about, they are addicted to that dopamine, but their actions just can’t match up. Like trying to run in a dream, their legs are paralyzed.

You won’t see them working on the same goal for years, whether that’s a degree, a career, or a relationship. They jump around and dabble in different things.

№6 Selfishness and irresponsibility (shirk duty and can’t own their mistakes)

Either they don’t have a sense of responsibility, or they do, but they won’t take their responsibility.

They rarely repent, but often regret, not because they’re sorry for the influence on others, but because of the consequence they are bearing. 

№7 Fluidity(Lost in identities, goals, desires, and values)

A fluid individual is a “whatever,” and “I-don’t-know” individual. 

They are confused about their identity. They’d love to think they can be everything when deep inside, they feel like they’re nothing. 

№8 Self-deceit

They are often quite convincing since they believe in the lies they tell others.

They might not even lie for selfish benefits, but because they live in deception. They lie to primarily convince themselves, and if others believe them, they feel validated.  

The more people they lie to, the more validation they might gain. They feed on these validations to never have to come to the truth. 

№9 Distraction

They put their hands on the plow, looking back and around. They have spiritual ADHD. Every religion has a small piece of truth. Even worldly wisdom sound applicable even if it contradicts Godly wisdom.

Because of this distraction, the worries, riches, and pleasures of the world can easily tempt them away from their destiny and purpose. 

№10 Low self-esteem and hubris

They believe they can be millionaires overnight meanwhile seeing themselves as trash.

They are self-sabotaging. While they act on their dreams and goals, they’re two steps forward three steps backward. Deep inside, they don’t think they deserve anything good, pure, holy, and everlasting; while on the outside, they despise “small things” and only aim for greatness.

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