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Why do we DOUBT? p3

The Preacher 1 Comment

Would ye also go away?

John 6:67-68

They went away because of His Teaching.

John 6:53

Some go away because of Fear of men.

John 12:42

Some go away because of Doubts or Questions.

John 7:52-53

Some go away out of procrastination.

Matt 8:21

“Why did you doubt?” p3

(Matt 14:24-31).

Why do we doubt? What is the source of doubt? This series of articles seeks to search the scriptures for the answer, and to learn how to combat, or to Overcome Doubt.

The first article showed that Doubt is based on Disbelief, and the way to overcome disbelief is through knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The second article spoke about obstacles that reveal doubt. This article will attempt to Overcome Doubt that arises when we turn away from the truth toward uncertainties. 

When we begin to DOUBT, our response is often to take matters into our own hands. Think of those examples when folks didn’t know how God was going to fulfill a promise, so they tried to “help” Him out. Sarah’s suggesting Hagar (Gen 16:1-4). King Saul making an unlawful sacrifice when Samuel was delayed (1Sam 13:8-13).

When life becomes uncertain, we may place our trust in more UNCERTAINTIES. We try to walk by sight instead of by faith. When doubts arise and fears dismay, we place our trust in earthly resources.

Paul charged Timothy to warn the rich of this. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1Tim 6:9, 17).

For many of us, instead of the NOTHING wavering faith of James 1, we become tossed about by every wind of doctrine. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph 4:14). We turn from the truth of God’s word to the opinions of others.

When doubt increases, others place their trust in SELF. “I’ll do it my way.” “Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities” (2Pet 2:10; Lu 12:15-21).

These things may appear helpful, but they are UNFRUITFUL. The deceit of the world leads to being unfruitful, “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matt 13:7,22; Mark 4:18,19).

For some they turn to seemingly successful & happy people that end up ROBBING them of whatever faith they have remaining. “Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph 5:6; Col 2:4,8,18; 3:6; 2Th 2:3).

Paul wrote about these deceptive people, “holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Tim 3:5-7).

Each of the above strategies smack of an EARTHLY wisdom from beneath that moves away from the wisdom of God’s word that comes from above. “This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed” (James 3:15-16).

What is the remedy to doubt?

The first and main thing we need to do to answer doubt is to continue to SEEK the kingdom of God and his righteousness. In the famous passage on worry, Jesus said, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). Just because we sometimes doubt, doesn’t mean we stop doing the right thing. Sin is never the answer to doubt.

Look UP, set your affections on things above. Developing hope is a great strategy for overcoming or alleviating doubt. “If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory” (Col 3:1-4). When we have a big enough why, we can endure any how.

We can READ the word of the Lord. When we don’t know what to do, instead of turning to the earthly advice, turn to the word of God, or to people that will give godly advice (Titus 2:1-8). His word gives us all things pertaining to life and godliness (2Pet 1:3). Doubt is the opposite of faith, and faith comes by hearing (Rom 10:17). Read the bible for insight into this life. We can learn how to handle fear and doubt by reading of the examples of those that faced the same things. “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2Tim 3:16-17).

While doubt is uncomfortable, there is still hope. Doubt tends to focus on what’s missing. There are still things to ENJOY. The wise advice of one of our songs is to “count your many blessings.” Look for what is good, and watch for the good that may come from our continued faithfulness in times of trial. James wrote for us to count it all joy when we face trials. “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning” (James 1:17).

Agape,

Spencer

This is part 3 of a series on Overcoming Doubt.

7 things to PROTECT #3, RESOURSES

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7 Things we ought to PROTECT pt3. RESOURCES.

“O Timothy! keep that which is committed to thy trust,” (1Tim 6:20).

We’ve been taking a closer look at the 7 things we ought to protect.

This next one is about protecting RESOURCES.

Before we begin, it must be understood that we’re not talking about protecting things in this life because we trust them above God. That’s condemned.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:19-21).

What is under consideration in this series is the proper use and the protection of them to guard them from Waste, Abuse, Sin, Trusting, and Exploitation (cf. Luke 15:12-14). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Now that we understand that material goods are from God for our use and not for trusting in them, we can now see how to use these material blessings for HIS GLORY. Some erroneously believe that Christians (and especially preachers) are to take a vow of poverty.

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

We are authorized to use resources for our personal MATERIAL needs. This is a blessing from God He gives to His children. “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God” (2Cor 9:10-11). The Psalmist wrote, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing” (2Thess 4:11-12; Phil 4:11; Heb 13:5).

Another use of our resources is to care for our OLDER Parents (and by extension our OLDER selves, cf. 2Cor 12:14; cf.  a warning; Luke 12:15-21) “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1Tim 5:4,8). Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their failure in caring for their parents by their erroneous dedication of their wealth for God (cf. Mark 7:9-13).

We ought also to use our resources from God to help NEEDY Saints (and as individuals, our needy NEIGHBORS, cf Luke 10:25-37). “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Eph 4:28). What we’re learning is that the Saint is to be working for his income and preserving some for use for those in NEED (cf. Gal 6:10; James 1:27).

Another blessing of the resources from above is for us to personally ENJOY (in a godly way of course). “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1Tim 6:17). Another example that these resources are not for saving trust, but for the glory of God.

Rather than preserving resources out of worry or anxiety (cf. Matt 6:20-34), we ought to have a heart that is YEARNING to give. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1Cor 16:1-2; cf. 2Cor 8:1-2; Acts 4:32-37 & 5:4). “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2Cor 9:6-7). One implied above is for the spreading of the Gospel through the support of evangelists; “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance” (Heb 10:34; 2Tim 2:4; cf. 1Co 9:9; 1Tim 5:18).

As you may notice, each of these uses of money are often for the helping of others. Before the ability to help another, we must first have enough for ourselves and more than we need, but don’t worry about that. When we have the proper attitude about money, God provides the increase; “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God” (2Cor 9:8-12).

Spencer