Why Do You Ask?

Asking questions is a critical component in the learning process.  No matter how smart or skilled we are (or think we are), we could not possibly know everything there is to know about everything--after all, only God is omniscient and able to know all.

Sometimes, when we ask a question the respondant may, in turn, ask us a question such as, "Why do you ask?" In this case, the respondant is likely trying to determine the motive behind the original question or line of questioning.

In matters of faith, it not only matters that we ask questions, but why we ask questions.  In James 4:2-3 we find "....the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure."

When people raise questions about matters of faith, as a minister I welcome the opportunity to allow God to use me as a vessel to guide people toward the answers they seek.  I had an incredibly blessed time doing just that with the women of Foundry United Methodist Church this past weekend during a retreat in West Virginia. 

Throughout the weekend, I posed questions.  The attendees posed questions. We questioned one another's questions, and eventually arrived at answers (in some cases more questions!) that empowered or challenged of us to live true to our values.

But what happens when questions aren't so fruitful? Every question and answer period is not always comfortable, but there are times when questions leave people angry or wounded.  "What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it the whole army of evil desires at war within you?"(James 4:1)

Perhaps some questions lead down a fruitless path because of how they began. Many of us have encountered individuals who raised questions not because they were honestly seeking answers, but simply to provoke, insult or discourage someone.  We may have also witnessed persons raising questions in a veiled attempt to demonstrate "superiority" or "intelligence."  In some cases, we have seen individuals ignore all sense of sensitivity and insist on asking  questions that would have been better left unasked or at least reserved for a more opportune time.

In such cases, perhaps it is the "whole army of evil desires at war within" these individuals that actually manifests through their line of questioning.  Some of us may have trouble viewing someone else's motives or desires as "evil,"  but deliberately provoking, embarrasing or relentlessly barraging someone with questions is certainly not "good."

If we have ever been the ones guilty of asking questions with "questionable" motives, perhaps this is a good time for us to honestly examine our motives with regard to the questions we ask.  Perhaps we might find that we don't have the "peace that passes understanding" that God has promised because, instead of asking for peace we have been demanding to be placated or pacified--by God as well as others. 

"When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor" (James 4:10).  Some of us have yet to realize that we need God's Holy Spirit to give us the self-control it takes to not only do the right things, but even to ask the right things.

A wealth of wisdom and insight can be gained from the questions raised throughout the fourth chapter of the book of James.  If we are willing to take on the kind of self-examination James promotes, we might experience powerful change in our lives.  All it takes is looking into a mirror and sincerely asking the person on the other side, "Why do you ask?"

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen