If someone bakes a cake and they don’t follow the directions, most of us would agree that their cake won’t turn out good. Most of us would understand that they can’t blame recipe, but they would be held accountable for not following directions.

We understand this naturally, but when it comes to spiritual things, some believers don’t want to be held accountable. They may blame God, the time they’re living in, or others. 

For instance, James 1:6-7 says when we ask God for something, we must believe and not doubt. The person who doubts should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. This is the recipe. If we say we believe, but in our hearts there’s doubt, we can’t blame anyone or anything else, but ourselves. 

When some don’t receive what they’ve publicly declared, to maintain their reputation or to avoid embarrassment, they make statements like, “it wasn’t God’s will” or “God is teaching me a lesson.” This shifts the blame to God.

To receive the things God promises in His word, we must follow the recipe. We can’t worry about how it’s going to happen or how long it’s taking. If God said it, stand on that word until it comes to pass. If we miss the mark in some area, take accountability for it, and follow His directions.

James 1:6-8 NKJV But let him ask in faith, with no 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; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.