What is Doubt

Doubt is the chief enemy of our Christian faith and yet the most under-estimated weapon the enemy engages against us. The enemy hinders our blessing by hinders the operation of our faith and without faith you can’t access anything from God (James 1:5), for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Praise God.

Since doubt is an enemy of our faith, it is important for us to understand what is doubt and how does it hinder our blessing and the delivery of our goodly heritage in Christ.

What is Really Doubt?

Let’s look into God’s Word, to discover different types and dimension of doubt, this will enable us to identify and deal effectively with each type of doubt.

Taking side against God

In the course of writing this article - the Spirit of the Lord gave me this definition of doubt. He said “It is consciously or unconsciously taking stand against the Lord and His Word”

It is consciously or unconsciously taking stand against the Lord and His Word

He said that when a man doubt, he is indirect knowingly or unknowingly saying that God will not validate His Word.

Hear what the word of the Lord said in Heb 3:12

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Heb 3:12)

So when doubt is at work in you, it means that you standing against God - you have departed from the Living God.

Being Double Minded

Doubt is the state of being double minded about the promises of God (James 1:5-8)

Double minded is the state of two opinions, state of confusion – it is the state of being trapped into different line of thoughts. Whenever you are double minded about God’s promise then you are in doubt and the Scriptures say that such man is unstable in all his way – unstable as the water.

This dimension of doubt is very dangerous and may destroy our lives and walk with God. In Gen 49, when Jacob was blessing his sons he said to Reuben

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; … (Gen 49:3-4)

Reuben had a great destiny, but was hindered among other things by double mind – unstable as water and In James 1:5, it says that a double minded is all unstable in all his ways.

I believe among the various dimension of doubt, this is the greatest because a person holds no relevance to God in that state. It simply renders such a man useless and hinders his progress. That why God said in James 1: 7, For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord

This attitude has also affected many in their personal and career lives, always coming up with an idea and not following through with it.

Lack of Confidence in God’s Word & God’s ability

Yes, doubt is the lack of confidence in God’s Word and God’s ability; this is the most common type. Although many claim to believe the bible from Genesis to Revelation but that is just a mental assent – agreeing only with the mind and not with the heart.

If you truly believe God’s Word, it will show in your action, for many, when contrary view or thought step in, we easily cast away our confidence.

It amazes me sometime: how we trust the words of our fathers, mothers, relatives, friends, bankers and business partners yet we can’t give God at least a “benefit of doubt” Believe Him- this is God, the creator of the whole universe.

Doubt is simply a negative belief contrary to your belief in the Scriptures

The Twin Brothers

Just as faith and patience are twins, so are fear and doubt. Behind every doubt is fear - will this work mentality. Since fear is the root of every doubt – if the fear is dealt with, doubt will vanish like a smoke.

Fear is the root of doubt/unbelief and according to Scripture; it is a spirit not just a physiological issue.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2Ti 1:7)

And as children of God, we have authority over the operation of the devil through the name of Jesus (Mk 16:17, Luk 10:17). Exercise your authority behind every spirit of doubt and fear and it will flee from you In Jesus Name.