Analogies and Images of Doubt in the Bible
Even dedicated servants of God have struggled with doubt, men like Elijah, David, and Peter. We have been looking at dealing with doubt for several weeks, on Fridays. Consider some images of doubt in the Scriptures.
In Matthew 28:17, following the resurrection, we learn: “when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” This word, distazo, means “to hesitate.” So, some worshiped Jesus but some hesitated. Why? Who were these hesitaters? We do not know.
In Matthew 21:21-22, Jesus, following the curse of the fig tree, tells His disciples, ““Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” This word is diakrino which means “to judge between.” It can mean to be at odds within yourself. It suggests the idea of a mind full of indecision so that you cannot make choices.
James writes his audience, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (4:8). This expression translates the word “two soul.” This pictures someone who is stuck between living in the world and living in faith. Of course, James’ remedy is to “draw near to God.”
With our country becoming (it seems) increasingly anti-Christian, many Christians would like to withdraw from the world. Maybe we would all like to move to a deep-red state and then cut ourselves off from secularism. Is that really how Jesus would like us to live? Consider His thoughts in John 17:6-16. The solution is not living a monastic life; it is drawing near to God.
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When I graduated from Faulkner University in 1992, I doubted I could be a successful preacher without being married (I had no girlfriend at the time). I also doubted my level of Bible knowledge. At that point, I saw three options in my future: Memphis School of Preaching (which would help with the latter doubt but not the former); Southern Christian University (again, it would help with the latter but not the former); and Freed-Hardeman University (potentially benefiting in both respects).
I applied to Southern Christian and Freed-Hardeman. I received a full-tuition scholarship for the Master of Divinity degree (a major step toward the doctorate) from Southern Christian, working with Dr. Rex Turner on his commentary on Daniel. I also received a half-tuition scholarship for the Master of Ministry degree from Freed-Hardeman. I had heard Earl Edwards (the program director at FHU) speak at the Faulkner lectureship and appreciated his scholarship and the love for spiritual things as well as people, and (with advice from friends and prayer), made the decision to go to FHU.
Not only did I get the education (and more) that I felt I needed, I also met Rachel (who has since given me two wonderful daughters and been an important asset to my ministry) and made friends who remain to this day.
When you are indecisive, do not let it be a matter of whether you will serve God or not. Go with a decision that will aid you to serve God more. In the end, you can look back and say, “Yes, I made the right choice.”
–Paul Holland
