If I "Doubt" am I Sinning?
As I was praying this morning and talking to God about my insecurities, questions, concerns, the thought occurred to me, I have "doubts" !! I MUST be sinning! That's what "doubt" meant to me at any rate. know in the book of James he writes - "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6 ESV I don't want to be tumbled and tossed like the wind!
You know, it's a pretty difficult thing NOT to "doubt" God.
SO IS IT DOUBT WHEN I QUESTION GOD?
As a longtime follower of the Grace message and teachings of Pastor Joseph Prince, he often teaches on "going to the Lord with ALL your problems and cares." Everything sounds like a doubting Thomas to me. All my concerns, questions, and fears? If we are taught to do this - but the BIBLE teaches us NOT TO DOUBT - EVER, EVER, EVER... then isn't it contradicting itself?
Whenever the Bible seems to contradict itself, I have to go to the original text and look up in the Strong's concordance to read what author originally meant in either the Hebrew of Greek. When I looked up in the Greek what the english word "doubt" meant, this was the definition:
"DOUBT" = Strong's G1252 diakrinō:
to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer
to learn by discrimination, to try, decide
to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute
to withdraw from one, desert
to separate one's self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, contend
to be at variance with one's self, hesitate, doubt
As I was considering the true definition of the word doubt in context, I began to see that when I question God on an issue, or go to Him with my cares and concerns - this is NOT DOUBT.
When you hone in on definition #4 you will see that the 'doubt' James is talking about in 1:6 is the actual submitting to a hostile spirit, to oppose, or to dispute. In essence what James is saying is this: "But (when you go to the Lord in prayer) let him ask in faith (with humility), without hostility and opposition toward God, for the one who acts like this (doubts) will not be able to find solid ground, and is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind, because trusting God to be your solid ground in time of need, IS the substance of faith." (Emphasis mine)
Huh. That's good. So as long as I take all my concerns to God, all my "talking back, questioning, fears, and cares" to God with an open heart and mind and without a spirit of hostility or stubbornness - I am leaving the door open for His creative abilities to change my circumstances.
Questioning God isn't "doubt" - telling God 'NO' and "I can't' before you even begin IS.
Holy Spirit,
As I continue to process Your Word today, I would ask that you continue to make it clear to me what You are trying to say. What I hear you admonishing me to be as OPEN as possible. That in the traditional sense, to "doubt" means to carry a spirit of being 'closed off', by remaining distant and remote - without trust. Like praying with the spirit of sarcasm or cynisism. "Yeah, God - WHATEVER - bless me," (eye roll). Let it not BE! Holy spirit, if you ever find me being flippant with my prayers, I give you permission to correct me AT ONCE! I don't ever want to treat You, my prayer life, or my ability to communicate with You in that way. Thank you for showing me that if You ever come to me and ask me to do something, and I (like your mother Mary when she asked the angel 'how can this be' ?) ask You HOW something should be done, or express feelings of concern on if something is possible or not - I AM NOT DOUBTING - as long as I remain in tune to You and not in opposition OF you. I GET TO ASK, and YOU WILL ANSWER... Amen!
-Jessicah
My agenda for the day: (not in any particular order)
Mail out monthly subscrioption greeting card orders
Work on waterproofing the roof of the camper trailer
Design cross pocket bookbags
Ship out orders from the most recent flash sale
Read for at least 30 minutes (AM)
Go for my morning walk/run
Food prep for the day
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