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Author
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Topic: Doubt
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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Hi Eden,
Satan certainly does tempt us in many different ways. But since this article is about "Doubt", I guess the author restricted himself to that particular kind of temptation.
I do "non-religious" activities all day. My job, chores, laundry, shopping, and so on. I'm one of those people who talks to the Lord all the time, though, no matter what I'm doing. I have been taught that we should devote everything we do to Him, and I am more than happy to do so. So maybe even activities that are not religious can still be devotional.
What do you think?
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Eden
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Hi, Carol Swenson. Your article said quote:
Beware of temptations that often come with doubt. Satan may tempt us to doubt Christ’s true identity. He knows that once we begin to question whether or not Jesus was God ...
I think our daily temptations are a lot less religious than "whether we dought Christ's true identity". Our doubts and temptations come more with daily living and decision-making throughout the day. If Satan can succeed in making me participate in a non-Christian activity, then Satan knows that during that period, I am NOT reading or hearing the Word of God. And that is one of Satan's top priorities, to keep people away from that Word of God.
So, to repeat what your article said quote:
Beware of temptations that often come with doubt. Satan may tempt us to doubt Christ’s true identity...
, I think that Satan's tactics are mosly a lot more "mundane" (worldly) than "doubt about Christ's identity".
(Although it is true that in my first years of being a believer that I did have those doubts about Christ, but not anymore. Now Satan knows that I believe unequivocably that Jesus of Nazareth-Bethlehem is the Son of God, so now Satan uses much more mundane temptations and doubts, basically anything that keeps me away from the Word of God.
love, eden
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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The Handbook of Bible Application
DOUBT (Confusion, Perplexity, Questions)
How can doubts be overcome?
BIBLE READING: Genesis 3:1-24
KEY BIBLE VERSE: The serpent was the craftiest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. So the serpent came to the woman.” Really?” he asked. “None of the fruit in the garden? God says you mustn’t eat any of it?” (Genesis 3:1, TLB)
Realize that doubts can weaken our trust in God. The serpent, Satan, tempted Eve by getting her to doubt God’s goodness. He implied that God was strict, stingy, and selfish for not wanting Eve to share his knowledge of good and evil. Satan made Eve forget all that God had given her and instead focus on the one thing she couldn’t have. We fall into trouble, too, when we dwell on the few things we don’t have rather than on the countless things God has given us. The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself and what you don’t have, consider all you do have and thank God. Then your doubts won’t lead you into sin.
BIBLE READING: Numbers 11:1-35
KEY BIBLE VERSE: But Moses said, “There are 600,000 men alone [besides all the women and children], and yet you promise them meat for a whole month!” (Numbers 11:21, TLB)
Doubts can remind us we are relying on ourselves. Moses had witnessed God’s power in spectacular miracles, yet at this time he questioned God’s ability to feed the wandering Israelites. If Moses doubted God’s power, how much easier it is for us to do the same. But completely depending upon God is essential, regardless of our level of spiritual maturity. When we begin to rely on our own understanding, we are in danger of ignoring God’s assessment of the situation. By remembering his past works and his present power, we can be sure that we are not cutting off his potential help.
BIBLE READING: Job 23:1-17
KEY BIBLE VERSE: He knows every detail of what is happening to me; and when he has examined me, he will pronounce me completely innocent—as pure as solid gold! (Job 23:10, TLB)
Occasional doubts must not be allowed to erode our trust in God. In chapter 22, Eliphaz had tried to condemn Job by identifying some secret sin which he may have committed. Here Job declares his confidence in his integrity and God’s justice. We are always likely to have hidden sin in our life, sin we don’t even know about because God’s standards are so high and our performance is so imperfect. If we are true believers, however, all our sins are forgiven because of what Christ did on the cross in our behalf (Romans 5:1; 8:1). His forgiveness and cleansing are sufficient; they overrule our nagging doubts. The Holy Spirit in us is our proof that we are forgiven in God’s eyes even though we may feel guilty. If we, like Job, are truly seeking God, we can stand up to others’ accusations as well as our own nagging doubts. If God has forgiven and accepted us, we are forgiven indeed.
BIBLE READING: Luke 4:1-13
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Satan said, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” (Luke 4:3, TLB)
Beware of temptations that often come with doubt. Satan may tempt us to doubt Christ’s true identity. He knows that once we begin to question whether or not Jesus was God, it’s far easier to get us to do what he wants. Times of questioning can help us sort out our beliefs and strengthen our faith, but those times can also be dangerous. If you are dealing with doubt, realize that you are especially vulnerable to temptation. Even as you search for answers, protect yourself by meditating on the unshakable truths of God’s Word.
BIBLE READING: Luke 7:18-35
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” (Luke 7:20, NIV)
Admitting our doubts often helps resolve them. John was confused because the reports he received about Jesus were unexpected and incomplete. John’s doubts were natural, and Jesus didn’t rebuke him for them. Instead, Jesus responded in a way that John would understand: Jesus explained that he had accomplished what the Messiah was supposed to accomplish. God can handle our doubts, and he welcomes our questions. Do you have questions about Jesus—about who he is or what he expects of you? Admit them to yourself and to God, and begin looking for answers. Only as you face your doubts honestly can you begin to resolve them.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 17:14-23
KEY BIBLE VERSE: He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20, NIV)
Doubts may remind us that our faith must grow. Once again Jesus predicted his death (see also 16:21); but more important, he told of his resurrection. Unfortunately, the disciples heard only the first part of Jesus’ words and became discouraged. They couldn’t understand why Jesus wanted to go back to Jerusalem where he would walk right into trouble.
The disciples didn’t fully comprehend the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection until Pentecost (Acts 2). We shouldn’t get upset at ourselves for being slow to understand everything about Jesus. After all, the disciples were with him, saw his miracles, heard his words, and still had difficulty understanding. Despite their questions and doubts, however, they believed. We should do no less.
BIBLE READING: James 1:2-8
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6, TLB)
We resist doubts by practicing trust. To “believe and not doubt” means more than believing in the existence of God. It also means believing in his loving care. It includes relying on God and expecting that he will hear and answer when we pray. We must put away our critical attitude when we come to him. God does not grant every thoughtless or selfish request. We must have confidence that God will align our desires with his purposes.
Trust in God grows as we faithfully seek him on a daily basis. A mind that wavers is not completely convinced that God’s way is best. It treats God’s Word like any human advice, and it retains the option to disobey. It vacillates between feelings, the world’s ideas, and God’s commands. If your faith is new, weak, or struggling, remember that you can trust God. Then be loyal to him. To stabilize your wavering or doubtful mind, commit yourself wholeheartedly to God.
The uncertainties of doubt should remind us to pray. If you have ever seen the constant rolling of huge waves at sea, you know how restless they are—subject to the forces of wind, gravity, and tide. Doubt leaves a person as unsettled as the restless waves. If you want to stop being tossed about, rely on God to show you what is best. Ask him for wisdom, and trust that he will give it to you. Then your decisions will be sure and solid.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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