Dealing with Doubt as a Christian: Doubt vs Unbelief

Some Christians are reluctant to admit they’ve experienced moments of doubt. But I think if we’re honest, we’d all admit we’ve had times we’ve struggled with it in some form. Even John the Baptist found himself in this place. Confused and wrestling, he sent disciples to ask Jesus a direct question: “‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” (Luke 7:19 NKJV). But as we’ll discover: doubt is not the same thing as unbelief. There is a difference between the two.

Different Forms of Doubt in the Christian Life

Oswald Chambers wrote, “Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong; it may be a sign that he is thinking.” Sometimes we may need to pass through the foyer of doubt to enter the sanctuary of certainty.

It can appear in different forms: intellectual doubt (questioning if the Bible is true), emotional doubt (“Why is this happening to me?”), or personal doubt (“Did I make the wrong choice?  Am I responsible for this?”).  

It’s been said, “Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Sometimes it can be an element of faith.” Even godly people can experience these moments. 

Moses wanted to quit under the burden of leading Israel. Elijah fell into deep depression and prayed for the Lord to take his life. Peter began sinking while walking on water, and Jesus asked, “‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31 NKJV). And even David’s Psalms are filled with raw confusion and feelings of abandonment.

It’s okay to cry out to God—but here’s the key:  You cry out to God, not against God.

Doubt vs Unbelief: The Critical Difference

 John had his doubts, but there is a difference between doubt and unbelief:

• Doubt is a matter of the mind—we struggle to understand why God is allowing something or doing something a certain way.
• Unbelief is a matter of the will—a deliberate refusal to believe God’s Word and obey what He says to do.

Doubt is a struggling mind looking for answers; unbelief is a settled will refusing to believe. Doubt says, “Lord, I believe… help my unbelief”; unbelief says, “I will not believe.”

3 Ways Jesus Helped John Overcome His Doubt 

The things Jesus said to John are for you and I as well:

Jesus refocused John’s priorities

 John had unbiblical and unrealistic expectations of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus had a bigger picture than John’s expectation of political deliverance.

Jesus returned John to Scripture

And Jesus pointed John to Messianic prophecies (see  Luke 7:22). He basically said, “ John, go back to the Word of God.  Compare what I’m doing to what Scripture says the Messiah will do.”

Jesus told John to stay the course

“blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Luke 7:23 NKJV).  Jesus is saying to John and all who deal with doubt, “Hold the course.” Don’t waver, don’t veer off the path even when things don’t make sense.

Doubt Your Doubts and Believe Your Beliefs 

If you’re struggling with discouragement and doubt, you are not the first.

But while you can have doubt momentarily, ultimately you want to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs!

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Learn more about Pastor Greg Laurie