Dealing with Doubt"
Introduction:
Define: to be uncertain or skeptical about. To distrust. A lack of certainty, or trust.
Two kinds of doubt:
- an honest seeker – looking for evidence to believe
- a dishonest denier – looking for evidence NOT to believe
- Many times the real cause of doubt and skepticism is the love of sin
Today we want to discuss the struggle of a person who is honestly seeking, but just can’t seem to break through the darkness.
Have you ever struggled with doubt or skepticism? What helped you? If your willing, share your journey.
2 Peter 1.16: but you and I are NOT eyewitnesses. How can we trust their testimony?
The basis of the Christian life (any life) is TRUST.
Who/what we choose to put our trust in is a KEY issue.
Is the fact that I can’t understand the mysteries of His divine providence’s reason to doubt God’s Word?
In the natural world there are many mysteries that I can’t explain.
Should I be surprised if this is true in the spiritual realm?
Cautions in God’s Word:
2 Peter 3.16:some distort truth to their own destruction
Hebrews 3.12:be careful of an unbelieving heart
Deuteronomy 29.29: He reveals things we need to know
Sources of doubt:
1. It is Satan’s work to pervert the investigative powers of the mind.
He capitalizes on human pride: if I can’t understand or explain it I tend to reject it. This reveals a lack of humility, and understanding of divine things.
This lack of humility creates an unwillingness to wait patiently on the Lord.
2. Our core beliefs can set us up for failure.
We somehow feel that our unaided human reason ought to be sufficient to understand divinity, and the mysteries of the infinite.
We forget Colossians 2.1-3:all the treasures of wisdom:
We may believe that life is supposed to be fair, and when it isn’t we get mad and do whatever:
We don’t want God’s word to mess with our world.
We want to be in charge, so we reject God. But I have to do it in a way that we can still live with myself.
Keep in Mind:
God wants us to exercise our reasoning powers.
The mind is like a muscle: No use – you lose!
The study of the Bible will strengthen and elevate the mind as no other study can do.
Caution: beware of deifying reason. It is subject to the weakness of humanity.
We need a simplicity of faith like a little child.
We must seek the aid of the Holy Spirit.
When we come to the Bible, reason must acknowledge an authority superior to itself. Our intellect, our heart, our very being must bow to the great I AM.
Some promises:
John 7.17:choosing to DO God’s will is the key
Psalm 34.8:taste and see
John 16.24:ask and you will receive
Colossians 1.13:we are already rescued from darkness
John 3.33:God is truthful
2 Peter 3.18:grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus
Proverbs 4.18: path shines brighter and brighter for God’s kids
Conclusion:
You choose what, or who you believe in. Choose wisely!
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