I was just thinking about a question posed to me last month: “Is it a sin to doubt?” Right off the bat, here is the answer: no, it is not. Doubt is not the opposite of faith. I would say it is more like a degree of faith. Overcoming doubt is but another step in the quest for growing spiritually. There are many reasons a believer may be facing doubt in the course of life.
There are Doubts Regarding Salvation
Over the course of my 61-year ministry, I have seen many Christians wrestle with doubting their salvation. I cannot count the number of people who have come to me saying, “Pastor, I must not be saved if I am doubting my salvation.” That is not true. I would estimate that most believers have at one time or another dealt with such doubt.
In most instances, circumstances have played a great part in causing such doubt. While it is not a sin to doubt, sin can instigate doubt. I believe doubt can prompt a believer to re-examine his or her experience of salvation. As I have asked people to do that, in almost every instance, they concluded they were saved but had fallen into sin, which led them to doubt. A little talk with the Lord restored to them the joy of their salvation.
There are Doubts Regarding Usefulness
What causes a believer to doubt being an instrument for the Lord’s work? Several things come to mind. First, comparing oneself to another. When a person sees another church member being so involved with serving, he or she may think, “I am no longer useful, because I don’t serve like that.” Some may consider their age to be the reason they are no longer useful. One of my favorite verses to share with people with this kind of doubt says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6 NIV1984). In such instances, the believer should take time to pray and confess that comparing oneself to others has led to forgetfulness of God’s purpose in leaving the believer on earth after salvation.
Instead of comparing oneself to another church member, it might be good to look at those recorded in God’s Word who also had doubts. Remember, one who had walked with Jesus, sat under His teaching, and had served Him, had doubts. That, of course, was the apostle Thomas. But there were others. King David often doubted, but He knew it was important to speak to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Even as strong as his faith was, circumstances caused Job to doubt.
It is important to realize that doubt is not unforgivable. But in each of those men’s situations, their faith was strengthened, and God did not hold their doubt against them.
There are Doubts Regarding Circumstances
Our circumstances may cause us to see things the wrong way. A job loss, a financial crisis, or even the loss of a loved one can distract us from our faith. Sometimes the Lord enables such trials and tribulations to strengthen us, not hinder us. James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
Doubts are Overcome with Prayer
The songwriter reminded us of this: “I may have doubts and fears; my eyes be filled with tears. But Jesus is a friend who watches day and night. I go to Him in prayer; He knows my every care, and just a little talk with Jesus makes it right!”
