Dealing With Doubt

Romans 14:13 “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

Doubt has been defined as “to waiver in opinion”, to hesitate in unbelief,” “to question or distrust,” “to be apprehensive,” “to fear,” “to suspect,” suspicion,” or “dread.” When Peter walked on the water and began to sink, the Lord said to him, “Oh thou of little faith, wherefore dids’t thou doubt.”(Mt. 28:17) It was said of the disciples when they went into Galilee in the Mountain, after the Resurrection, that “ some worshipped and some doubted.”

THE SOURCES OF DOUBT.
A. Primary Source. Satan “we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Cor. 2:11)
1. He seeks to confuse and get us to question God as He did to Eve. “through the subtlety of Satan” (II Cor. 11:3)
2. He attempts to make suggestions as He did to Jesus. (Luke 4)
B. Secondary Causes of Doubt.
1. Some times disease, disposition, or disobedience causes doubt.
2. Sometimes it comes from loss of health, happiness, or hope.

THE CAUSES OF DOUBT.
A. Retrospection – looking on past failures.
B. Introspection – looking within at weaknesses, limitations, motives, etc.
C. Circumspection – looking around.

THE RESULTS OF DOUBT.
A. Brings on depression.
B. Causes distortion. (Make giants out of grasshoppers, and Mts. from molehills)
C. Leads to suppression. Hinders initiative and progress.

THE CURE FOR DOUBT.
A. Perspective – We must see things as they are.
B. Prospective – Look beyond self, circumstances,
Look to God’s promises, and power.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. (Prov. 3:5)