1. Doubt is the Greek word “diakrino” meaning “to judge diversely”. Webster says it means lacking confidence in, distrust, uncertainty, an inclination not to believe.
2. In Bible times there was the tendency of doubt in the following things:
1) Concerning food and raiment. In Luke 12:29 the Lord said, “neither be ye of doubtful minds” concerning this.
2) In times of danger. When Peter sank while walking on the water the Lord said “Wherefore didst thou doubt”. Matthew. 14:31.
3) In prayer. Matthew 21:21,22 “If ye have faith and doubt not” they could remove mountains. We do not have the miraculous but we do have the providence of God and the things we are to pray for spelled out in the New Testament so we can profit by “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” This is prefixed by asking according to his will. (I John 5:14)
4) Concerning mission. When Peter received the vision he “doubted in himself what this vision should mean” (Acts 10:17) and the Lord told him “go with them, doubting nothing.” When he got there he frankly told them that before this event he would not go in to a Gentile but God had told him to call no man common or unclean (Acts 10:28). Cornelius told him what had happened and a converted Peter said, “I perceive of a truth that God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34) Conversion is a process that needs to happen hundreds of times in Christian lives.
5) Fellowship with weak and struggling brethren. It’s easy to disfellowship yourself from a weak brother or sister and get tired of their peculiar ways. We are to receive the weak but not to doubtful disputations. (Romans 14:1) Remember: if he is offended in a matter of opinion he is not to partake. (Romans 14:23) And we are to encourage him rather than condemn him. Quit being so cocky in your scholarship and your judgmental ways. Look at Romans 14:4-8 and heed it.
3. There is so much doubt in the world that we are apt to be hindered by it.
1) Our prayers are hindered by doubt. “Let him ask in faith.” James 1:6
2) Our reaching out to souls is hindered by doubt. “No one is interested” we are heard to say. It should be “look at all the people who don’t know and I need to reach everyone I can.”
3) The greatest tool of the devil on Christians is doubt. If by doubt he can get us to bury our talents he’ll have us in the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:24-30) though we are faithful to attend services.
4) Jesus was asked by the Jews why he kept them in doubt and why didn’t he tell them plainly if he was Christ, Jesus said, “I told you and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.” (John 10:24,25) That was one of those cases where Jesus showed them the truth as well as told them. Their doubt was because of their unbelief. I suspect that our doubts today are because of our unbelief.
4. We need faith builders in a world of doubt.
1) We need to start resting on the promises of God.
A. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:16) Too many folks who receive this say they don’t know if they are saved or not. Something is wrong with their conversion.
B. We need to rest in the promises that through Christ we can overcome the world. (Romans 8:28, I John 5:4, Hebrews 13:5,6)
C. We need to strongly believe that we are begotten again to living, heavenly hope. (I Peter 1:3,4)
2) We need the courage to stand for the truth. In Acts 4:29 the prayer of the apostles was “grant unto thy servants that with boldness they may speak thy word.” This was granted. When they were put in prison the angel released them to “go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (Acts 5:20) “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (I Corinthians 16:13) You have to get doubt out if you do these things and while you are at it “speaking the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)
3) We need the knowledge to know that for which we are standing. (John 8:32, John 17:17, II Peter 1:5-9)
4) We need the control of ourselves to not fall to pieces when real challenges arise. Like Peter when told not to preach in the name of Jesus. He said -“we cannot but speak the things we have sen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) The Jewish court admitted two things: 1) A great miracle had been performed in the healing of the crippled man. 2) These men had been with Jesus. Their only tool was intimidation. Peter and John calmly said we will speak what we know to be the truth. Don’t let people rattle you. The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets and the spirit or soul within us is in our control.
5) We need the patience to endure though “doubts arise and fears dismay.” (II Peter 1:5-9, Luke 21:19)
6) We need Godly respect for God, the things of God, the Lordship of Christ, the accuracy of the Holy Spirit, and the glory of God’s instructions.
7) We need a kind disposition for others especially those of the household of faith. (Galations 6:9, 10)
8) We need a deep and abiding love for all men, God, and all the good things.
5. In Conclusion: Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
“Time is filled with swift transition - naught of Earth unmoved can stand - build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand. Trust in him who will not leave you, whatsoever years may bring, if by Earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to him cling. Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”