When doubt comes in

It began in a garden where the first couple had everything and they trusted God who gave them only one command: do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The snake suggested six things that would mess with that trust and encourage disobedience, suggestions that still work.

First Satan took their focus away from all that had been given them and put it on the one thing they could not have. How different this world would be if everyone could simply be thankful, but as the NT says: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:21–22)

Second, Satan minimizing the Consequences by telling them, “You will not die” as if God lied. With their attention focused on the tree they forgot what God actually did say. This is why I need to daily read God’s Word — I forget what God says too.

The enemy’s next strategy was mislabeling disobedience. He suggested eating the forbidden fruit would expand them, make them more complete. He added to that lie by mixing good with evil saying the fruit was good for food, adding that it was also pleasing to the eye. His final lie was saying eating it would make them wise. They didn’t get it that he was calling God a liar and making his interest in their welfare appear greater than God’s.

In contrast, the NT tells me to get my wisdom direct from my Maker, not from forbidden stuff. Should I fall into that trap, I eventually realize how foolish that was. Instead…

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. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

An unstable person is up and down, trusting God one day and doubting the next. This makes me joyful then miserable, sure of God then unsure. It affects my moods, even my health. It certainly affects my prayer life.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24–25)

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:21–22)

It also affects my spiritual growth, unity with other Christians and the health of the Body of Christ. Doubt never glorifies God but turns inward and shrivels my ability to praise Him.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11–16)

The Bible says faith comes by hearing God speak of Jesus. While that builds faith, I find that any  doubt first must be confessed as sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

PRAY: Jesus, You also tell me, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) Drawing near to You in confession of my doubts releases me from the enemy’s lies and allows that sweet surrender — an attitude of trust even in situations where life seems to make no sense. After all, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen and without faith it is impossible to please You, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that You exist and that You reward those who seek You. (Hebrews 11:1;6)