Is it okay for Christians to doubt? Is doubting God a sin?
I was reading a music review recently of “You Found Me” by the Fray, a song that speaks of a man who believes in a loving God who searches for his lost children, but the lyrics themselves alternate between accusation, doubt, and belief, that said…
My understand of Scripture is that, yes, doubting God is sin. But let me clarify that. To doubt God is to say in our hearts, “I’m no longer convinced that God is God, that He is right or good or loving or powerful. I can’t say I believe in Him.”
In fact, you could define sin as doubting God: “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)
Faith is the opposite of doubt. Faith is trusting God: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Doubt, by definition, is being uncertain and unsure.
Having said that, we’re not talking about honest questions that come up when our belief in God is challenged. To ask those questions and seek real answers takes more faith, not less. And we’re also not talking about the feelings of disappointment we sometimes experience with the circumstances God allows.
Faith is the constant command of Jesus. Faith is the sole prerequisite of salvation. Faith in Jesus is how we are reconciled to God. Why all this emphasis on faith? Because if we believe in God, then we will act like we believe in God. That means that we will love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.
Doubt seems to have become highly valued in our society. It is a cornerstone of certain worldview perspectives. Some believe that science teaches we must doubt everything. Doubt is seen as a sign of intellectual maturity.
So what do you think? Any thoughts? Do you buy what this guy is saying? Is doubting God a sin?
Let me challenge you to step back and truly soak this in before answering. I think it is too easy to agree with whatever you naturally tend to be. For example, if you are prone to doubting, your first and normal reaction will be “no, of course not.” If you do not struggle with doubting, then your first and normal reaction will be “absolutely, doubt is a sin.” Do not choose your answer by what makes you feel better about your life. Choose your answer by what is true.
Is doubting God a sin?
Interesting. I heard that Fray song somewhere and I wondered if they were talking about God or not. I only caught tiny snipets of the lyrics, and didn’t know what it was called or who performed it.
I agree that to doubt means that it could be true, but you don’t believe it. For example, when you’re talking to your friends about a basketball game and they say “I think Villanova’s going to win it all.” And you say – “I doubt it.” or in other words – “Maybe, but I don’t believe it. I wouldn’t bet on it.”
To ask challenging questions of God, and to seek real answers from him is called searching. And the Bible says that God will be found by us when we search him with all of our hearts.
kudos! =>
This blog’s great!! Thanks
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dude, i’ve been blogging about this for more than a month now, and i’m just wrapping up a sermon series called “i doubt it”.
doubts are part of being a finite human being with a limited IQ. the only way you can experience doubt-free living would be for you to have absolute knowledge. the opposite of faith (biblically speaking) is not doubt but “sight”.
everyone doubts at some time or another b/c none of us has absolute knowledge. that’s probably one reason why the bible tells us to “be merciful to those who doubt” (jude 1:22).
oh, and how about this: right before Jesus gives the “Great Commission” he meets the 11 Disciples. Some worship him, but some still have doubts (see Matthew 28:17). He doesn’t say, “Resolve your doubts before you do what I’m asking you to do.”
He basically gives them permission to take their doubts w/ them as they go.
having doubts is no sin. allowing your doubts to keep you from doing what you know God is telling you to do…that’s when it becomes a problem.
JAT, great insight. I think you should take the guy who wrote this article out to lunch and share your heart with him.
By the way, if you like to think deep and feel like you just took a sip of water out of a fire hydrant theologically speaking, then you need to check out John Alan Turner’s blog – http://blog.faith20.org/
Oh my goodness!
SORRY, I WASN’T DONE WITH THAT COMMENT! The silly computer posted it —let me finish it….
That song made me cry. Songs very rarely have that effect on me. I have tremendous respect for The Fray, despite the fact that I don’t really endorse all of their viewpoints. How To Save A Life just rocked my world. AMAZING song. I was actually discussing this song with a friend of mine in an IM conversation and I was telling her that I think the Fray is very skilled at putting hurt into music/songs. Desperation, misery, bitterness, regret, etc. I like this kind of music to a degree. I think it’s relevant and people understand it. Obviously, it can be (and is) taken way too far. However, You Found Me actually was very good for me, rather than creating any doubt in me. I especially love, “Why’d You have to wait?/Where were You?/Where were You?/Just a little late/You found me” It helps me to see with greater compassion the mindset of doubting people. Most importantly, it brings me to my knees to pray. I just think, “(so-and-so) is probably going through this….I should pray about this.” I know that God is never “too late.” It doesn’t worry me, but the thought that some people think He might be is actually inspiring to me. It makes me want to WORK. Do you know what I mean?
One night about a year ago I was in the car at around ten’o'clock and I had committed to pray over the issue of suicide that night (long story). It had been a long day and I didn’t really feel like it. I didn’t want to exert myself. I didn’t do it. Five minutes after I made the decision not to do it, we drove by a suicide scene in Dallas. Can you imagine how I felt? I KNOW that God doesn’t “allow” those things to happen just because we don’t pray, or any of that junk, but it was sobering. I feel like that about You Found Me, sometimes. Sometimes it’s a reminder to me not to come to late.
I personally don’t struggle with doubting God, so I have to try to be very understanding towards those who do. I realize that they haven’t seen as much of Him as I have. If they had, they wouldn’t doubt. It’s not necessarily through any fault of their own that they are afraid. God is not “too late” for anything.
I think that the problem with You Found Me, as with doubting God, is that it doesn’t give God His chance to respond at the end. (HE WILL respond) However, the music video left doors open, I think.
Anyway, if you got this far, thanks for reading my ramble!
i love god
ok..i think doubt is a sin because it keeps us fro experiencing God at a deeper level.Well..i v been born again for 4 yrs and most of those years i have doubted God.
In my case i did not doubt the power of God, i know he can do great wonders but i had a problem with myself.You know those moments when you really doubt that the king of kings can touch you.I mean me of all the people..?get real.
I think doubt is that moment when you know Jehova can do something but you dont really get it into your spirit.He can heal.So what?You failure to trust in God for that moment,what the bible calls holding onto the form of religion but denying the power thereof.
And yes doubt is a sin.believing and trusting in God is not a matter of choice.If you in you are in.Nothing like lukewarmness should be found in the church.I saw a man get healed right next to me of the very same problem i had.Had i not doubted…
For the record im still on my way to recovery.Getting myself together and trust that he forgives, he loves, and he loves.
GOD BLESS