“He Who Doubts...”

Introduction. (James 1:5-8) The Bible deals with the subject of doubt in a number of different ways. There are different ways that we might think of doubt and different dangers from each.
     The word for doubt in James 1:6 is DIAKRINO - meaning “to separate, make a distinction, discriminate” (Thayer). Used in...

  • Acts 15:9 describes what God did not do any longer between the Jew & Gentile. He did not “make a distinction”.
  • In Jude 1:22,23 the word is used teaching us that we must sometimes “make a distinction” in how we approach people. Some we should “save with fear” others should be handled with “compassion.”
         In this text in James 1:6 KJV - “wavereth”. Here it appears to refer to being caught between one of two beliefs on the same matter. It is trying both to believe and trust in the Lord while at the same time not believing in His love or His power. If we do this our prayers will not be answered.

    I. Types & Causes of Doubt.
         In the English language, “doubt” originally meant meant to waver, question or to be hesitant about something; now it most often means having a question about the honesty, integrity, or possibility of some person or event. When used with reference to God, it can mean that a person has an honest and sincere question regarding God’s actions. Other times it may indicate a skeptical view of the truth of something. As when we say - “I doubt that!”
         We can divide doubt into two different types:

    Skepticism
    Honest questioning
    1. Skepticism. What things cause us to be skeptical with regard to their truth?
      • Statements by political leaders. (Promise to cut taxes when their record is that of raising taxes).
      • Supernatural or extreme claims. (A man lifting a house).
      • Offers too good to be true. (Brand new car for $1.00).
             What is it about these things that prompts our skepticism?
      • Something different from past actions.
      • Not within normal experience.
      • Seems unreasonable.
    2. Honest questioning. Sometimes we may actually want to accept something but simply question how it could be. These may be things that are important but hard for us to believe. These may be things you would like someone to clear up for you some day.
      • How can it be that television or computers work? (I see that they do but don’t understand how they can!)
      • Birth of a child! (From two little cells united by the union of a man and a woman, how can that explode into a living breathing thinking child?)
      • Or matters of faith. (How can their be a God? How could Jesus be born of a virgin? How and why would he die for me? How can we know the Bible if true? How can we be sure about salvation?)

    II. Examples of Doubting.

    1. Abraham. (Genesis 15:1-17) - Honest questioning: how will I know? God confirms His word with a sign. Abraham believes.
    2. The Jews with Mary & Martha. (John 11:30-44) - Skepticism: Heal the blind but not the dead? They were (it seems) almost looking for a reason to ridicule Him.
    3. Thomas. (John 20:19-31) - Honest questioning: I need to see to accept this! Christ reveals Himself to Thomas. Thomas believes.
    4. The Jews in the Temple. (John 2:13-22) - Again skepticism: Destroy the temple and rebuild in 3 days? They don’t appear to even try to understand what He really means.

    III. The Dangers of Doubting.

    1. Rejecting Everything as False. Skepticism can be dangerous in that it is sort of a preprogrammed mechanism to reject what is unfamiliar. We use it as a defense mechanism. (e.g. Telemarketer with a win a million scheme - skepticism keeps us from loosing all our money everytime the phone rings.) However, if skepticism dominates our thinking we may reject what is true.
           Note: It would be foolish to reject Christianity because of this type of doubt. Think about how many things about which we have been skeptical have turned out to surprise us! Is your soul worth risking?
    2. Always Questioning yet Never Taking a Stand. By the same token, honest questioning is only of value if it leads a person to dig for the truth and when they have found it accept the truth. Some people may not be skeptics but they while they always question, they fail to act upon the logical consequences of the answers they find. It has been said that -
      “We know accurately only when we know little; with knowledge doubt increases.” (Goethe)

           Note: many things can be answered and once answered must be accepted. For example: Virgin birth, truth of the Bible, resurrection of Christ, establishment of one church, necessity of baptism for salvation.
    3. Overconfidence In Our Own Views. None of this is to suggest when we have confidence in our opinions it guarantees we are right. Note: Romans 14:19-23 Note: DIAKRINO is used here. This does show that it is always wrong to act without conviction, (i.e. doing something of which we are not convinced).

    IV. The Time to Choose.
         Sometimes the struggle with doubt is a matter of refusing to really make a decision. James 1:6 teaches us we can’t do that a please God. Let’s look at two passages that teach us the same thing. Both use a slightly different word for doubt: DISTAZO meaning “to stand in two ways” or “wavering as to which path to take.” Both concern two different period in Jesus dealings with His disciples.

    1. Jesus’ Disciples after His Resurrection. (Matthew 28:16,17). Is this the eleven who “doubted” or others? The text isn’t clear on that question. They simply wavered. We might understand. This would change their lives. Follow Jesus? Or go back to their old lives?
    2. Peter on the Sea. (Matthew 14:22-33). Peter wanted to believe but what happened? 1. He looked at the things of this world (wind, waves, etc.). 2. He took his eyes off Jesus. 3. He became afraid. (This was more than nervousness, but a fear that comes from trust of self).

    Conclusion. There are different types of doubt and different ways that it can effect us. It is wise to have skeptical doubts when false religion is presented, but foolish to be so skeptical that we won’t even consider the truth. It is wise to have honest questions about matter that concern our souls, but foolish to never apply the answers to such questions to our lives. Our confidence is no assurance that we are doing right, but acting with doubt is always wrong!
         Let’s end with three suggestions to help us face doubts:
    1. Constantly plant the word of God in the heart. (Some find printed passages of scriptures in some conspicuous place to remind us of the goodness and promises of God.)
    2. Take time out to count blessings and see the good things He has done.
    3. Keep list (mentally or on paper) of promises especially meaningful to you that the Lord offers us in the Bible.