Charles Spurgeon once said:
Doubt discovers difficulties which it never solves; it creates hesitancy, despondency, despair. Its progress is the decay of comfort, the death of peace. “Believe!” is the word which speaks life into a man, but doubt nails down his coffin.
-Charles Spurgeon
What a sobering quote!
It is DOUBT that “nails down” the spiritual life and peace in any Christian who succumbs to it!
Even the Bible itself warns of the dangers of doubt in verses like James 1:6–
But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.
(James 1:6 AMP)
Kicking Down Doubt Before It Nails You Down
Since this is the case, what are some practical ways we as Christians can “kick down” doubt as we enter another new year?
Let’s dive into some key Bible principles on how to say “no” to doubt and “yes” to thriving, growing faith!
#1: Read The Promises
In the Amplified Bible Classic Edition of 2 Peter 1:4, we read:
By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world….
(2 Peter 1:4 AMPC)
As an application for us, the first Bible principle to help us overcome doubt is to go to the promises of God’s Word.
Because they are a “way of escape” from the decaying influences of doubt and unbelief (we’ll dive deeper into specific Bible promises in next week’s blog post).
#2: Sing His Praises
Psalm 22:3 says:
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
(Psalm 22:3)
That word “inhabitest” in Hebrew is yāšaḇ (יָשַׁב).
It means “to settle.”
This is interesting to consider because Colossians 1:23 talks about being “settled” in faith–which is the opposite of doubt.
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
(Colossians 1:23)
As an application for us, singing solid, faith-nourishing hymns to the Lord brings His settling presence near, and thus settles our own faith in our hearts and banishes all doubt away.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(Ephesians 5:19)
Now, just as a quick side note to the reader, I’ll be posting up a playlist of faith-solidifying hymns here on Learning To Live in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that! ?
#3: Surrender In Prayer
For our last Bible principle on overcoming doubt, let’s take a look at James 4:7–
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(James 4:7)
The devil is the author of our doubts, in stark contrast to Jesus Christ, Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).
The Bible makes it clear that in order for the very author of doubt to flee, we need to resist him.
And in order to resist him, we need to FIRST SUBMIT–or surrender–to God.
We need to prayerfully turn to the Lord and surrender our doubting hearts to Him, in exchange for believing hearts!
The Bible makes this point very clear:
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
(Proverbs 23:26)
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
(Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
(Mark 9:24)
A Prayer
Dear reader, would you like to ask the Lord to overcome the doubts you’re struggling with today?
If so, then I wanna encourage you to pray the following prayer below:
Stay tuned for next week, where we’ll dive into 40 Bible promises that’ll nourish and strengthen your faith!
Amen! Maranatha!
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