Dealing with Doubt (Part 1)

What is doubt and how do we deal with it? This series will deal with this crucial issue that affects everyone.

First of all let's addresses what doubt is not. Doubt is not sin. Reread that. Doubt is not sin! Let me clarify what I mean. Doubt is a mental state of skepticism that arises in us because we are programmed to be logical. When we have doubts, it's because something seems to contradict our logic. If your friend told you that he climbed Everest over the summer break, you would naturally doubt his claims (not necessary disbelief him). Is that wrong. If we excepted everything at face value we would be taken advantage of. However...

Doubt can lead to sin. When we choose to distrust or disbelief God we cross the line from doubt to sin. Let me give you an example: my testimony.

I was born and raised in a Christian home and became a Christian at an early age. Around the age of 12/13 I started to struggle with doubt. To be completely honest, I shipwrecked in my faith. I wrestled with philosophical and theological questions and doctrines-especially the Problem of Evil. Part of my struggle was on the issues of free will, predestination, foreknowledge, etc. Even though I struggled mentally, I continued to worship God and read His word (though I was almost completely devoid of emotional love for God). At this time of complete struggle, I continued in my belief in Christianity though my logical mind cried foul. In the next post I will finish my testimonial story.

So with my testimony as a framework, let's explore the two statements in bold (I will use scriptural examples later in this series). My doubt was the result of seeming contradictions regarding God's nature. If He predestined, then how could that be just. Was I serving an unjust God? How could God be sovereign yet man have free will ,etc. Even in the midst of my doubt, I continued to serve God and church. I did not let my doubt lead to sin. I did not reject my beliefs (though I questioned them), I did not reject Christianity (though I was confused).

In conclusion: We have seen that doubt is not sin but can lead to sin. However even though doubt isn't sin, it can still be dangerous. How do you overcome doubt? How do you appease the questions that can nag you, the worry that can assail you, the doubts of God's providential care? Are all doubts the same? Where do you draw the line between doubt and unbelief? I will answer these questions in my next post!