Truth about Doubt

Yesterday’s Observations about Doubt can be summarised as …

Do not honour doubt; nor fear it.
Acknowledge doubt, and stand firm on Truth.

There is one passage in the New Testament that deals with the experience of doubt that Christians often face. We know what is true, yet at times we doubt it. Our doubts don’t change the reality of what is true, and therefore if we want to excel in living in the light, we need to understand why we doubt, and how to get out of the unprofitable rut of doubt and walk confidently in the truth.

At the end of the little letter of Jude, is a short counselling session on doubt. It starts by explaining what the source of doubt is.

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Jude 17-19

Doubt never originates from a noble source. All doubt exists because there are scoffers—those who mock the Truth and those who know it. Their problem is not a lack of obvious Truth, but rather an unwillingness to follow the Truth because it doesn’t fulfil their desires for life. Subsequently, they must do something with the Truth, so they sow discord among those who believe the Truth, they adopt the world’s way of thinking, and they resist every prodding of the Holy Spirit. Even in the Garden of Eden there was no doubt until a mocker of God showed up and promoted ungodly desire over obvious truth. Doubt is not the default—it is a product of the ungodly.

The solution to doubt for believers is therefore rather simple

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Jude 20-21

When you doubt something true about God, this life, and your life, go read your Bible again. Pray as the Spirit Who is Holy has taught you in His Holy Word. Remind yourself of the obvious demonstrations of God’s love for you and your love for Him. Do not despair in a moment of trial, for the mercy of our Lord Jesus is coming, and it will bring us through this life into eternal life. When you doubt what is true, remind yourself of what is true. Your faith is defined in terms of holy separation from the world, the Holy Spirit, the Father’s love, and the Lord Jesus’s mercy.

But Jude goes even further. Having counselled yourself regarding your moments of doubt, be sure to help your brothers and sisters who struggle with doubt too.

And have mercy on those who doubt

Jude 22

Jude ends with a wonderful affirmation of what is objectively true about God and how it affects all who believe. Turn your doubt into doxology from now on and forever.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen

Jude 24-25