The Doubt Robber -- part 2

Let’s continue the discussion that we started last week on the topic of doubt by first looking at a definition.

What is doubt? It can be defined as:

•  the uncertainty of belief or opinion
•  lack of confidence
•  distrust
• second guessing
• double mindedness

Philippians 4: 8 (NKJV) is very clear about what God’s Word says that we should think about.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Let’s next look at some familiar verses from Matthew 28.

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. ¹⁷ When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Have you ever paused as you read those three words underlined? What happened here? Some of the disciples doubted even though Jesus said that they should go into the nations and carry out His great commission!

Simply put, DOUBT IS A ROBBER. Let’s look at eight ways that doubt can rob or steal from the quality and value of our lives.

1. Doubt steals our time. It causes us to procrastinate, spin our wheels, fall into excessive thinking, and waste time.
2. Doubt kills incentive. It pushes us to overthink things and therefore not attempt to accomplish things. It opens the door to fear of failure most certainly.
3. Doubt ruins our focus. It causes us to go around and around without making progress. We lose our passion and doubt makes us unstable. We cannot allow doubt to ruin our thinking / mindset.

Remember when Peter stepped out on the water in Matthew 14:31? All of a sudden he noticed the strong wind and he lost his focus. He cried out for the Lord to save him because fear and doubt took over.

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

4.  Doubt accomplishes nothing. Doubt encourages us to lose effectiveness, hold back, and retreat. But what does faith (the opposite of doubt) do?

Matthew 21: 21

²¹ So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

5.  Doubt starts to take root in our childhood. When we heard things like “you can’t do that” or “what were you thinking” seeds of doubt began to take hold in our minds. It is important to break the power of doubt over our lives and uproot all residue of doubtful thinking.
6.  Doubt limits our vision. It is vital that we intentionally act to keep our expectations, confidence, and faith level high. We can’t have our loyalty divided between God and man/the world.

Let’s look at some verses from James and see what the Word says about this. James 1: 2-6 

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7.  Doubt lies to us. It invades our mind and keeps us in unbelief. Doubt says things like this:

•  That’s impossible.
•  No one cares.
•  That is too difficult.
•  Does God really love you?
•  Is God able to do that?
•  Is God really a good God?

Doubt can start in our heart so it is important to note these valuable words of Jesus from Mark 11: 23.

²³ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

8.  Doubt leads us to rely on our five senses rather that trust in God’s Word. This creates instability in our thinking and our faith.

•  Hearing: We can’t recognize God’s voice.
•  Sight: We can’t see God’s plan.
•  Smell: We can’t detect God’s aroma.
•  Touch: We can’t feel God’s hand.
•  Taste: We can’t taste of the goodness of the Lord.

So recognizing the enemy’s strategy to get us to doubt and the debilitating effects that doubt has on our spiritual vitality, how can we overcome? Next week we will finish this discussion by offering five strategies for victory over doubt.

Mothers of Nations, stay strong in faith and be blessed this week.

Dr. Sharon Predovich