DOUBT
Background
Doubts can be debilitating. Hesitation is characteristic of the doubter. Uncertainty throws the doubter off balance and interferes with his or her decision making. James mentions the "double-minded" person as being unstable in all he or she does: "That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:7–8, NIV).
Yet it is not unusual for even a Christian to experience doubts. When the sincere Christian hears critics attack the Bible, there may be increased temptation to doubt God's Word. In confusion over unanswered prayers, he or she may wonder, "Is God real? Does He really answer prayer?" When confronted with the reality of sinful, selfish desires, he or she may question, "Has God really saved me?"
Billy Graham writes: "Probably everyone has had doubts and uncertainties at times in his or her religious experience. When Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to receive the tablets of the Law from the hand of God, and when he had been a long time out of the sight of the Hebrews who stood anxiously awaiting his return, they finally became doubtful of his return. And they erected a golden calf to worship (Exodus 32:8). Their apostasy was the result of the doubting and uncertainty."
In spite of this tendency to doubt, honest questioning can become the threshold to a more solid faith and a deeper commitment to Christ.
The opposite of doubt, of course, is faith. James encouraged those who were passing through trials to ask of God and to ask in faith (James 1:5–6). We must remember that doubt can be an effective tool for Satan. He brought uncertainty to Eve by asking, "Has God indeed said . . . ?" (Genesis 3:1). He will afflict us with doubts where we are the most vulnerable. Spiritual disobedience, disappointment, depression, illness, and even advancing age can trigger doubts.
Helping Strategy Those Who May Doubt Their Salvation:
1. Commend the inquirer for being concerned about something so important. God's Word has real encouragement for the doubter.