Is It a Sin to Doubt God?
Is It a Sin to Doubt God?
Overview
Is it a sin to doubt God? Most of us don't ask it that way. We wonder if something is wrong with our faith, or if God is angry with us. Brad Kirby's answer brings real relief. Scripture shows Jesus meeting doubters with compassion, not a slap on the wrist. Doubt only becomes sin when it hardens into distrust and divided loyalty. Then Andre Samson asks the practical question: what do I actually do with my doubts? Brad gives four steps: bring them to God, go to His Word, hold on to His character, and stay close to His people. Where do your doubts usually take you?
Three Takeaways
Your doubts don't make God angry
Jesus met doubters with compassion. When a desperate father cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Jesus helped him. When John the Baptist questioned Jesus from prison, Jesus sent him more evidence. Even David asked God, "How long?" Faith doesn't mean you never have questions.
Doubt becomes sin when it turns into distrust
James warns against a divided heart. The problem isn't uncertainty or struggling to understand. It's when doubt shifts into "I don't want to trust or obey God anymore." That's the oldest attack there is: the serpent asked Eve, "Did God actually say?" to get her to distrust God.
Bring your doubts into the open
Run to God and pray honestly. Go to His Word, because faith comes from hearing it. Hold on to who God is, even when you don't know what He's doing. And don't pull away from His people. In the fog of doubt, you need friends who can see clearly when you can't.
Scripture in This Episode
Mark 9:23-24
And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
Matthew 11:2-3
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"
Psalm 13:1
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Psalm 13:5
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?"
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Also referenced: John 1:29; Matthew 11:4-6; John 20:24-29
Talk About It
What doubts have you been afraid to say out loud, and what do you think God thinks about them?
If you split your life into "I don't know what God is doing" and "I know who God is," what lands on each side right now?
Who in your life could you be honest with when you're in the fog of doubt?
Your Next Step
This week, try praying the simple prayer the father prayed: "I believe; help my unbelief." Then consider telling one person you trust about a doubt you're carrying, and let them speak truth to you.
Take it with you
Download the printable one-pager below.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.*
