Doubt, part 2. The Poison of Distrust and Ignorance
If you’ve come back for part 2 of the “Doubt Series”, thank you!! Here’s our chart again, for reference: (If you missed part 1, just look at last week’s post)
This week we’re going to tackle the next two words on our chart, distrust and ignorance. Both of those words have a negative connotation, and rightly so. Doubt grooms negative, questioning attitudes. We’re not talking about questions that arise from good discretion, we’re talking about questions that are born from the attacks of Satan due to a lack of scriptural knowledge and spiritual discretion.
We’ve all had times of questioning. Does it mean we’re not believers in Christ? Of course not. Mark 9 gives the account of the man who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus for healing. He’d heard of Jesus’ miracles. He listened to His teaching and he knew that if anyone could help his son, it was Jesus. He believed. Then the man approached Jesus and said,
“But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!””
This man believed, yet he knew his faith was nowhere near what it could and should be. He was humbled and awestruck all at the same time. Friends, that’s us sometimes. We KNOW the Lord can…. Yet we wonder if He will and when. We waver, but we don’t lose our faith. That’s a different kind of doubt than what we’re addressing today.
Doubt stirs a lot of different responses. Distrust is one of them and is a strong emotion often motivated by negative, hurtful experiences or outright betrayal from others, whether in the church or outside. These negative experiences can cause a distrust of all people, and a tendency to hold others at arm's length. Much like a child bitten by a dog who then views all dogs as suspect. To those who have been hurt or betrayed, relationships can be unsafe. Their distrust is a protective measure they put in place to ensure they won’t fall victim once again.
So when we approach others who have been hurt and explain the freedom and salvation found in a relationship with Christ, we should try to understand why there may be distrust. The thing is, people and institutions are a poor representation of God. Yes, we’re His image-bearers, but we are flawed and human. We’re sinful. And sometimes we just do a bad job of representing Him well.
But God is faithful. He’s perfect! He’ll never disappoint or deceive. God assures us that we CAN trust Him! Psalm 9:10 “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” We can encourage others that they, too, can have confidence in God. He won’t betray. He won’t abandon. His love won’t grow cold.
Oh what peace comes when we rest in Him! And we CAN rest!! We don’t have to be on our guard with God. He is our Protector and our Shelter and Strength. He is patient with us to help us overcome our distrust. We need to not look to others or to a ‘church’ or denomination. (yes, those relationships are needed and healthy for spiritual growth…but our salvation comes from God alone.) We need to train our eyes and heart to look to the Lord. Psalm 105:4 “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Psalm 62 is such an encouragement for those who struggle with distrust.
Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”
The next aspect of doubt is Ignorance-a lack of knowledge. Sometimes people realize their lack and seek to remedy that with pursuing knowledge. While others seem to glory in the fact that they don’t know…and they don’t care. Perhaps pride dictates and they argue, insisting they are right. That’s the behavior of someone who lacks a teachable spirit. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Ignorance isn’t bliss. It’s a dangerous riptide that will pull the unassuming ‘floater’ into a tide of dangerous beliefs. And far too often we try and argue with the ignorant one to change their mind and show them the error of their ways, only to realize they’re stubborn and we’re exasperated. Prayer changes things. It really does. We need to pray that the one who struggles with ignorance begins to crave knowledge. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” The Lord offers hope and help for those who lack wisdom and understanding! He’s at the ready to combat the doubt! James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Today, let’s pray on several fronts
That our sons and daughters would be protected from negative experiences or betrayal that would impact their confidence in God, in Scripture and in fellowship with believers.
That our sons and daughters would pursue Biblical knowledge. Pray that they would have a hunger and thirst for righteousness and they would enjoy spending time reading and studying God’s word. Pray that pride and ignorance would not be the dynamic duo that derails their faith.
“Father, You have the power and authority to orchestrate experiences and relationships. I pray that You would put a hedge of protection around (name) today to keep them from anything that might cause them to question their faith or doubt Your goodness. Lord, I pray that they would put their hope in You, not in a person or institution. Human things will always disappoint, but You are the Great I Am, the Sovereign of the Universe, the Lord of all Creation, with You is unfailing love. I pray that (name) would lean into Your love today and be reassured that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. I pray, too, that (name) would pursue Biblical knowledge without tiring. Give them a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Give them insight and discretion to spot ignorance and false teaching. Lord, guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus today. May (name) ask you for wisdom and knowledge and look to You for the answers to their questions and their problems. Lord, may the knowledge of Scripture hold a charm and value to them that nothing in this world would ever match. I pray for Your protection over them and Your provision for them today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.