Is doubting God a sin?

posted by Erin Davis on 04/05/11 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: Faith; ; 34 comments

Definition of doubt:

To lack confidence in
To consider unlikely
To be uncertain

Many of you have commented lately that you are wrestlingwith feelings of doubt and discouragement in the area of faith. Some of youmention doubt casually as if it's a companion young woman you've always known. Others ofyou seem practically panicked when doubts hit you as if your faith has alwaysbeen rock solid and your doubts about God have caught you off guard.

We're going to be talking about doubt all week on the blog.It's an important subject, and one that requires us to look through thebiblical framework rather than our emotions. One of the most importantquestions to consider when it comes to doubt is, "Is doubt a sin?" Let's seehow God's Word answers that question.

We get a clue about God's attitude toward doubt when we takea look at how He responded to doubters during His time on earth. Pay closeattention to these passages. Notice how Jesus consistently responds tofollowers struggling with doubt.

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (Matt. 14:28–31).

God didn't let Peter drown simply because he had a moment ofdoubt. He reached down, pulled him up, and then called him out for his weakfaith. Jesus didn't specifically label Peter's doubt a sin here, so does thatmean that doubting is okay with Him? Let's keep reading.

In Luke 24:36–39, Jesus appeared to His disciples after theResurrection. Were they wrestling with doubt? You betcha! Even though He hadpromised them He would rise again, they doubted the promise and had a hard timeaccepting the truth even when He stood right in front of them. Check it out:

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

He didn't yell atthem for doubting. He didn't stomp out and take His resurrected body elsewhere.Instead He took the time to help them see why they could be confident that Hewas who He said He was and that He had done exactly what He promised to do.Check out verses 40–43:

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Do you think Jesuswas really hungry? I doubt it. But He knew what was in the heartsof His followers. He knew they were doubting that He was really there in theflesh, so He ate some fish. He tenderly took the time to give them reasons todoubt Him less and trust Him more.

We will look at afew more encounters that Jesus had with doubters tomorrow. But for now, I thinkit's important to note that Jesus didn't equate doubt with sin. That doesn'tmean He likes it. He called the doubters out in theses passages. But if you arehaving feelings of doubt, you can feel safe running toward Jesus for answersinstead of away from Him because you think He will be disappointed in you.

And you don't haveto have all of your doubts eliminated before God can use you. In Matthew28:16–19, Jesus is with 11 of His disciples. Verse 17 tells us that some ofthem doubted He was the real deal. He certainly knew their doubt, and yet Heproceeded to give them the Great Commission. If we look at how Jesus respondedto doubt, we see that He never says, "Resolve your doubts before you do whatI'm asking you to do." Instead He gives the disciples permission to take theirdoubts with them as they go. He makes us the same offer.

Here's one morepassage that helps us understand God's attitude toward doubt.

Jude1:22 simply says, "Be merciful to those who doubt."

How does the Biblecommand us to respond to doubt in other's hearts? With mercy. We can beconfident that God will respond to our doubt in the same way.

If you're a doubter,I hope you are encouraged that God's shoulders are big enough to handle yourquestions. Having doubts is not a sin. But allowing those doubts to hinder yourwalk with Christ isn't the answer. And using doubts as an excuse to break God'scommands is never okay.

We'll keep talkingabout doubt here on the blog. In the meantime, I want to hear from you. Whathas God taught you today that makes you want to trust Him more and doubt Himless?

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Char

Re
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 1:31 am

WOW!! Thank you for the reminder to run to Him with our doubts. I've honestly had doubts but then it always seems like God proves Himself in some awesome way. :) and I have allowed many many doubts to hinder my faith and honestly it hasn't gotten me any farther ahead just deeper in a pit.
I look forward to reading more bout doubt.
Again thank you.

Carina

Doubt
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 1:45 am

Thanks so much for this great post Erin! It is good to get it cleared that doubt is not actually sin, and I think it's a normal thing that all Christians experience at some point or another. So, it's also good to know that I'm not the only one and that God always has His arms open to me. :)

Love To All My Sisters In Christ,
Carina

Re:
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 2:27 am

If any of you girls are struggling with doubt just as me, I encourage you to watch this video! here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA
I watched it this morning and now I am more confident that my Lord is fighting for ME! He is fighting for you too! I cry every time I watch that video, by the way. It is so touching. love you gals! =)

Lydia D

Thank you
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 5:02 am

Thank you for bringing up this topic.

Rachel

[ You can't do Christianity Alone ]
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 8:13 am

What Providential timing of this post! I had recently been doubting whether I was truly saved, as I have never had that Holy Passion that I have heard many people say they have when they first become a Christ-follower. But, while I was struggling with these thoughts of doubt, I was listening to the lies Satan was telling me.
He told me that I shouldn't be having doubts, first of all. "If you're a Christian, why are you doubting?" So because of that, I didn't go to my mom, my trusted friends, or youth pastor and say, "Hey, I'm having some questions about my faith. Can we talk about this?" My first mistake. I was under the impression that I had to work through this on my own, but that too was a lie. I was wracked with guilt in feeling confused and alone. In the end, though, I was able to talk with a good friend of mine on the way home from youth group. And with the help of my mom, too, we began dispelling Satan's lies. It isn't sinful to doubt, but don't hold it in--talk with someone you trust who can help you sort through what you're feeling and get to the underlying issues. It is a good idea to say aloud what you think Satan's telling you, either to yourself or friends--it's a lot easier to see how silly it seems. Thank you for posting this. c:

Emma

Re:
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 8:37 am

thank you so much for writing this.I have struggled a lot with doubt and this is really helpful to deal with that.And Jesus has DEFINTLY been merciful to me!!!Sometimes I think it is good to hear that Jesus looks past your sins(in this cae-doubting)and loves you still after what you have done-and that he is merciful and WILL FFORGIVE you!!!!

Emma

P.S
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 8:58 am

P.S-My grandpa had cancer for just a few months but it is funny how it is so much harder to doubt God when there is a time of trouble or mourning in your life,because when there is no-one but God to turn to then it seems that he is so comforting(he always is).anyways-My grandpa is the kind of guy who calls everyone by their first name,is always cheery and can start talking and getting to know strangers really really fast(he is just really outgoing).But the first day in the hospital(that I saw him)he looked really terrible and that night sleeping at my grandparent's house,it was so lonely without him and I kept thinking about what it would be like w/out him there.I started praying and raying really hard to God and then the next day when I saw him he really looked better.Now, maybe a good nights sleep would have contributed to his looking and feeling much better,but I truly believe that it was God sort of speaking to me.It seemed as if he were saying,"Emma you silly,I am always in control and will never leave you,now BELIEVE and don't doubt.Thank you again for writing this,Erinit is an area that I really struggle with!!!

Meghan

Thanks!
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 9:23 am

Thank you for this post Erin! I have been struggling a lot with doubting lately and this post really helped. I guess I started to think that God couldn't use me until I cleaned myself up and got rid of my doubts. This sounds so ridiculous to me now though, since I can never do any of those things on my own. Thank you once again for this post!

Darby

wow..
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 10:08 am

i deal with a lot of guilt...and never wanted to tell anyone because of what they would think of me. even if they are my bestfriends. and i always run from God when i havr doubt. scared he'd punish me or be angry.. but now.. i'm fine with trusting God because he's going to have mercy on me. i doubt him less because he's not going to walk away from me when i do doubt. but instead help me through them.. Thanks for the post!!

LindseyV

Doubts and the devil
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 10:45 am

Lately I've been realizing how very powerful the devil is when it comes to doubts. He doesn't want you to believe that God loves you. He'd love to have you unhappy and insecure about truths about God. Once I realize that, I feel a lot better. Not all my doubts are gone, but I feel more secure in Him. :-)
Oh and one other thing, the other day I was thinking bad thoughts, and I told myself that the minute another one popped up, I would pray to draw nearer to God and stop believing the enemy's lies. The thoughts VANISHED. It was so cool!!!

Annamarie

Re:
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 1:42 pm

Thank you for this Erin, I don't think I have ever doubted God.. but maybe I have, thank you again! =)

lilymist

Doubt
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 3:14 pm

I struggle with this topic all the time, Believing the doubt of am i doing what God wants of me and am i still worthy of his love while i'm a BIG sinner? I'm so lost trying to find this all out. I know at times that He loves me and saves me from stuff that would hurt me. But other times i feel so like i let him down again and again and if i was God (i feel so bad saying that) I would say forget u i'm done trying to help but u keep falling down again. Thanks 4 the post!!

Destiny

Re:
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 3:28 pm

I am really glad this was made! I have been having doubts about things in my faith, questions I feel are unanswered and it has been making me afraid. Thank you for assuring me that I can ask the Father what I worry about, and that He still loves me anyway!

Vic

Doubt
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 3:47 pm

I am not sure if i doubt. I'm not sure what to call it. I know I am saved, and I can see some evidence of the holy spirit, but I do not consider my sin to be that wrong. I know its wrong and I try to turn from it but I never really think of myself as a sinner. I know I am saved by God's grace but deep inside me i feel like its ok, thats not really sin. I try to stop but its so hard. Also people tell me that you can tell if the holy spirit is in you that if you delight in God's word. I am not sure what that means and i cant tell if there is much spiritual fruit in my life. I try to show fruit but I am not sure if its coming from my heart or just because I'm supposed to do it.
Any comments or help?

<3 Vic

Erin

Re:
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Thanks for this post, Erin. Sometimes I never have a doubt in my mind and other times they are everywhere I turn. When I'm doubting, I'm usually to busy being mad at myself for it rather than running to God with it. But it's so true. He cares and wants to help me trust Him more! His mercy endures beyond what I can imagine!

Amy

WOW!
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 4:50 pm

My response is, WOW! What a wonderful article... It left me wanting to seek out God and His ways, Thank you Erin for allowing God to use you. It encouraged me even now in the midst of doubt to serve God and not let it be an excuse. I look forward to all that will be shared on this topic the rest of this week!

AbbyS

Doubting
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 5:29 pm

A specific area that I've been struggling with lately (and I'm not alone, I'm sure!) in in trusting God completely to provide THE perfect person for. I know it sounds so entirely cliche, but I'm in college and I feel like it's about time for me to start prepping for courtship. And nothing, I mean nothing, seems to be happening or changing. And I find myself caught in so much doubt sometimes, and it's so painful!
But when I look at my friends who are married now, and who truly waited and waited for God's timing, it strengthens me. I know God is more faithful than I realize, and more sovereign than I could ever understand. I shouldn't doubt Him, because He is PERFECT. It's a process.

Chloe

Doubting God
on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 11:04 pm

Recently, something very bad happened in my life. Since then, I've been trying to stay close to God and pray to him. But it's hard. Has anyone ever had something happen to them that really made them wonder where God is at that moment? I'm not asking you to tell me what happened, I'm asking what you did to get back on track with God.

Ayana

Thanks!
on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 12:08 am

I would beat myself up all the time because I wasnt perfect but this post has made me realize I dont have to be and God can still use me. So Thanks! :)
-Ayana

Krista

thanks
on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 6:36 pm

thanks so much for writing that i find myself doubting at times. but i have to disagree with something you write in your blog. You said that Jesus went to heaven for 3 days. But in 1 Peter 3: part of 18-19 it says

being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the SPIRITS IN PRISON;(hell)

I dont believe Jesus went to heaven in those days he had to suffer for us so he went to hell.

Erin Davis

Krista
on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 9:44 am

I took that sentence out. I will do a little research on the subject. Thanks for driving me into God's Word.

Erin

Emma

Re:
on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 9:25 am

@Krista-not to argue but I would have to disagree with you about Jesus going to hell.I think that he had already experienced the wrath ofGod and been separated from Him and if he knew that even greater agony than the ccross lay ahead of Him that that would be even harder to face the cros-opposed to knowin soon that He would be reunited wiht his Father in heaven.Also in Luke 23 it says that Jesus tells the robber next to Him that they will be together later that day in paradise.-Luke 23"39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him saying,"Are You not the Christ?Save youself and us!"But the rebuked Him saying,"Do you not fear God,since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?And we indeed justly,for we are recieving the due reward of our deeds;but this man has done nothing wrong."And he said,"Jesus remember me when You come into your kingdom,"Truly,I say to you,TODAY You will be with me in Paradise.also,we may not be sure what Peter is saying in 1 peter but we should be positive what Jesus is saying in the verse above.Thanks for letting me speak my mind!!!

Rachael

Re:
on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 3:33 pm

You just don't know how much this has helped me! Thank you!

Mikaylah

undefining doubts
on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 4:41 pm

It is very easy for me to doubt GOD's prefect plan for life... Especially with all the scary "end-of-the-world" stuff going on. It makes me think I am not going to live to get married! :) Lol! But then, I am reminded, I HAVE TO trust the One who is completely in control! God wants to bless us, and help us, IF, IF, IF we turn wotards HIS loving and never forsaking hand! I gotta hang in there!

Kaylah

RE
on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Hey Desntiny! I agree with your post... unanswered wuetsions can make me doubt. I just have to remember, HE hears, and HE is in complete control! (As I learned from the book) Satan cannot do anything (even if it is VERY small) without God giving him permission. God is truly sovereign!! We serve a GREAT Lord!!!!!

Hannah

hey kaylah!! :)
on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 9:33 am

hey kaylah!! i soooooooooooooooooo agree with yuor comment to destiny. i always seem to forget that satan is NOT omnipresent! he's not everywhere, and when we claim the blood of Christ in our lives when we feel an attach from him... he flees. we serve and worship an awesome and holy and AMAZING God!!! :) Keep loving Him girl! :) <3

Erin Davis

Vic
on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 2:30 pm

The matter of your salvation is between you and God. I don't know if you have truly accepted Him and it's not my place to know. But the fact that you don't see sin as a major problem is a red flag for me.

1 John 3:6 says, "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."

Until you recognize the destructive power of sin I'm not sure you can fully grasp your need for a Savior. And until you know how much you truly need Him, you won't make Him Lord of your life.

I would encourage you to do a topical study on the word "sin" in your Bible. The Bible has a lot to say about sin so it is going to take quite a bit of work on your part, but God's Word has the power to really transform our hearts. Hearing what He has to say about sin will really change your perspective.

If your Bible has a concordance in the back, simply look up the word "sin" and start reading and thinking through the verses listed. It might also help to keep a journal so that you can write your response to what you're reading.

www.biblegateway.com is an online concordance that is really great. You can type in "sin" as a keyword, and all kinds of verses will come up.

Hope this helps...

Erin

Kaylah

Hey Hannah! Back to ya!
on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 5:46 pm

Hey Hannah! Thanks for commenting!
It's nice that some-one feels the same way! God gave us people we can relate to so we can depend and rely on HIM along with power of friendships... Thanx for encouraging me to love HIM no matter what!!
Speaking of which, here is another really great book:
"The Pursuit Of God in the Company of Friends" by Richard Lamb.
Hannah, that book is awesome! You should read it!
God has proven and will prove in all of HIS children's lives HIS soveriegnty in...
*FRIENDSHIPS
*RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS
*IN EVERYTHING!
But when He proves Himself in the Bible, I notice that the people are usually first confronted with a test of faith... So before God can prove HIMSELF as MIGHTY (although HE does not need to!!) I have to pass the test, which means I have to have faith and be in HIS word, so I know how to define the test, and battle against it... You know what I mean, girl? God's WORD is the greatest weapon... especially against the detrimental darts of satan himself!!!!
AMEN!!!

Kaylah

BTW, archives of TRUTH
on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 11:16 am

Hey...

does anybody still read the archives? :)
There are some really great posts and comments! My sister enjoys the archives of 2009!! Gee there are so many things God has provided for us to learn from!!

Hey, Chloe!
on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 8:23 pm

Hey, girl! Keep leaning on God..He really is the perfect source of comfort. I know sometimes it's hard to understand His plan--kind of like, why is this necessary! But hang on. "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out." Mt 12: 20.
So many times I think I'm at my breaking point. But that's exactly why God gave us verses like Matthew 12: 20. God won't snap you. Read through some of His promises. Sometimes it feels like He isn't there...but He is. And everything that happens--I know this gets said all the time, but it's so so true--is a part of His perfect plan. This is the same God that died for us. He loves us; His plan is for our good, even when it might not seem that way. He's always watching over us. Here are some really reassuring promises:
Deuteronomy 31: 8
Joshua 1: 9
Isaiah 49: 13

Serra

Doubting
on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 12:27 pm

I some times doubt God sadly. Like my bothers fight every single day and I some times doubt that he will never fix it. I know at first it doesn't sound that bad but it gets so annoying!!! My parents made them stick together by hip, so that proves that they are annoyed as while. :(

Katarina

faith
on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 8:40 pm

I'm glad something was said about that because it's a good topic to think about. mormally when people start doubting God is when there suffering through some hard times in life and things don't go like they want it to. So they start blameing God. I beleive that God is not the one to doubt because he is the one that is there for you in those hard times and listens to what you have to say. He understands.

Kathyren

Doubt
on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 1:31 pm

I live in doubt, it has consumed who I am. Thank you for giving me some kind of hope!

Carrie, with the LYWB team

Kathyren
on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 6:39 pm

Thanks for being real, Kathyren. When doubts assault you, stand firm on the promises of God (Joshua 23:14), sweet friend. His promises never, never, never fail!
Know I’m praying for you tonight to be overwhelmed by the truth of God’s steadfast love and mercies for you. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him (Lam. 3:21-25).

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