Introduction:

A. What does it mean to be double minded?

1. A doubter who is unstable in all his ways: James 1:6-8
2. The phrase double minded appears only one other time in the KJV.  It’s used by James in showing the sinfulness of being double minded: James 4:8
3. A man or woman that is double minded has two ways of thinking that essentially war with each other:

a. Matthew 6:24
b. Philippians 2:2

B. Faith and doubt are opposites

1. Faith produces action: Genesis 12:1-4; cf. Hebrews 11:8-10
2. Doubt causes hesitation, indifference, and failure: Matthew 14:22-31

I. Doubt Produces Instability

A. Being indecisive and unstable is not pleasing to the Lord:

1. I Kings 18:21
2. Ephesians 4:14
3. Revelation 3:15-16

B. Consider some things that can affect us in our work as Christians if we doubt the Lord:

1. If we doubt that God will provide, will we pray?  Matthew 7:7
2. If we doubt the validity of His word, will we obey?  Luke 6:47-49
3. If we doubt the reward of Heaven, will we press forward to that prize?  II Corinthians 4:14
4. If we doubt the power of the word of God, will we preach it to others?  Hebrews 4:12

a. Romans 1:16
b. Luke 8:15

5. If we doubt the reality of death and judgment, how can we live for today?  James 4:13-14
6. If we doubt the providence of God, will we cast our anxieties upon Him?  I Peter 5:6-7

II. Some Things That Produce Doubt in the Minds of Christians Causing us to Question our Faith

A. False doctrine causes doubt:

1. False teachers set the course to keep you from hearing truth: Acts 13:6-12
2. False doctrine eats like a cancer: II Timothy 2:15-18

B. Human logic and biblical ignorance cause doubt:

1. Colossians 2:8
2. I Corinthians 3:18-19
3. II Peter 3:16-17

C. Looking down and around instead of looking up, will cause us to be doubters:

1. Look to God for knowledge: Proverbs 2:6-7
2. Seek those things which are above: Colossians 3:1

III. What We Can Do to Remove Doubt From our Minds?

A. Where can we get faith (Romans 10:17)?

1. Acts 20:32
2. II Timothy 3:14-15
3. I John 2:5

B. We can draw nearer to God through faith: Hebrews 10:22-23

1. With a fully focused heart, soul, and a committed mind: Matthew 22:37
2. With faith that nothing can move us away from God: Romans 8:38-39
3. Being fully persuaded of God: II Timothy 1:12

Conclusion:

A. Doubt sees the obstacles and causes the questions: Matthew 19:23-25
B. Faith sees the way and trusts in God as the solution: Matthew 19:26

 

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© 2005 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made.  In other words, preachers do your own work.  Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.