Dealing With Doubt What Is Doubt Doubt is
? Dealing With Doubt
What Is Doubt? • Doubt is real among believers (Mt. 14: 31; 28: 17) • Doubt (Gr. διστάζω) = two stances; going two ways, shifting between two positions; to waver
What Is Doubt? “The comforting reality is that questioning what you believe about religion or God is commonplace for most American adults who self-identify as Christian (or have in the past) (65%). Just over one-quarter (26%) say they still experience spiritual doubt, while four in 10 (40%) say they have experienced it in the past but have worked through it. ”
What Is Doubt? “Only about one-third (35%) claim to have never experienced it at all. Even devout groups like practicing Christians (19%) still experience doubt, though perhaps because they are the most active in their faith practice and enjoy the support systems and resources of a church community, they are also one of the most likely groups to have worked through their doubt (42%). ”
What Is Doubt? “Having come of age in a more secular and pluralist culture, Millennials (38%) currently experience about twice as much doubt as any of the other generational groups (23% Gen-Xers, 19% Boomers, 20% Elders). Men are also more likely than women to actively experience doubt (32% compared to 20% women). ”
What Is Doubt? “Those who have been through college and encountered an array of ideas, philosophies and worldviews are twice as likely to experience doubt as those who have a high school education or less (37% vs. 19%). ” https: //www. barna. com/research/two-thirdschristians-face-doubt/ Barna Research Group, 2017
Why Doubt? • We grow up and hear new things and encounter new experiences (some negative) that challenge our faith and we ask, “Why? ” • Is there a God? Can we really interpret the Bible alike?
Why Doubt? • Does God hear and answer my prayers? • Am I doing enough good to live up to God’s high standard? • Can I live without sin?
What Are We to Do? • Address it, don’t ignore it (Mt. 14: 30 -31) • Don’t be ashamed to get help from others (Mt. 11: 3; Mk. 9: 24; Lk. 17: 5)
What Are We to Do? • Be willing to re-examine the evidence (Mk. 16: 9 -14; Jn. 20: 24 -31) • Assurance comes from what is written, not from what is felt (Rom. 8: 16; 1 Jn. 5: 13)
What Are We to Do? • Keep practicing the fundamentals: Bible study, prayer, church worship (Rom. 10: 17; Jas. 1: 5; Heb. 10: 25) • Consider the alternative life of unbelief (Psa. 14; 53; Jas. 1: 6 -8)
What Are We to Do? • Look at how God fulfilled all his promises to others; will he not do the same today (2 Pet. 3: 9)? • Know that doubt is real, but not reasonable (Mt. 14: 30 -31)
What Are We to Do? • Remember, we will not know all things we want to know, but we can know all things we need to know (Deut. 29: 29)
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