Doubt, Part 3: Independence and Suspicion
We’ve reached our final week discussing doubt and praying for protection and deliverance for our loved ones who struggle. (if you missed parts 1 and 2, just go back to the posts from the last two weeks)
Here is our chart, once again. We’ll focus on the last two lines today discussing independence and suspicion.
Independence is a false sense of security in oneself and one’s knowledge. It is an inability or unwillingness to trust God. Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Essentially, independence is self-importance and self-reliance that essentially makes us a god unto ourselves. Satan’s first big deception was based on this lie. When he tempted Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil he said, “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”" Genesis 3:5. Ah, being like God, independent and in charge of one’s own destiny. Being like God with no need for support, protection and provision. Independent….and lost. Because we are not like God at all. We are made in His image, yet we are so in need of a Savior. Independence is a lie of the Enemy meant to keep us from the safety of the Savior.
But Psalm 40:4 says, “ Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” Reliance on the Lord is not a weakness, it’s a powerful, spirit-infused strength that combats “principalities and powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness” Ephesians 6:13. Now that’s security! We must pray that our sons and daughters continually see their need for the Lord and willingly submit themselves to Him. Pray that the lie of independence would be obvious and the yearning for dependence on their Savior would be insatiable.
Suspicion is the final aspect of doubt that we’ll discuss here. It’s an inability to trust. It’s a constant questioning and refusal to believe the truth of something. But John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And God doesn’t lie…so if what He says is true, we can believe it. Paul confirms this in Titus 1:2, “ in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” and Hebrews 6:18, “...it is impossible for God to lie…” He is True. He is Faithful We CAN trust Him! We need to pray that our sons and daughters don’t allow doubt to creep in and stir suspicion against the Lord. And if that suspicion arises, that they have spiritual discretion to know whether it’s a warning of the Holy Spirit or a deception of the enemy to pull them from the Lord.
Now, look at the opposite list that contradicts the list of doubts. God gives so many assurances that fight the doubt stirred up by the devil.
Certainty:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
Clarity:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1: 1-5
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Confidence:
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
Knowledge:
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;” Proverbs 2:6
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
Reliance:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;” Psalm 1:1-6
Trust:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” Psalm 40:4
Friends, doubt is a scheme of the devil. He will veil our eyes so that what is true is concealed. He will interfere with our understanding so we are confused. He is the author of doubt, confusion and fear….and too often we risk falling victim to his schemes. We MUST be in the Word!! We must know the truth and be able to speak it out to battle against doubt and deception.
Today, let’s pray that God would protect our sons and daughters from the dangers of doubt. Pray that God would make His Truth clear to them in visible, tangible, understandable ways. Pray that, as in Psalm 1, they would not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of the ungodly but that they would pursue Christ only and always.
Friends, only God can turn a heart of stone into a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). If God can turn the heart of a King any direction He chooses (Proverbs 21:1), He can certainly turn the heart of our sons and daughters toward Him and guard them against the enemy.
Today, write out a prayer for your sons and daughters that you can pray throughout the week. If you’d be willing to share it, we’d love to read it! Let’s encourage one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Let’s build one another up in our most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20).
Pray without ceasing.
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.
Doubt: part 1. Ambiguity and Confusion
James 1:6 “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.” (ESV)
or
James 1:6 “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” (NLT)
or
James 1:6 “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” (NASB)
__________________________________________________________________
Doubt can color everything, can’t it? It can impact our trust, our understanding, our ability to connect with others and, ultimately, our ability to trust in the Lord. We often hear the phrase “I doubt it” and we may even use it ourselves. It’s our way of expressing disbelief, or at least skepticism. It can be a challenge or a simple expression of ambiguity. But when it comes to our faith, it can crack our foundation or bring rot to our roots.
What really causes doubt? Over the next few weeks we’re going to look at some other words for doubt and their antonyms to give us a bit more insight. We want to be confident in how we should pray for others who may struggle with doubt.
Look at that list. Do you see anything unique about the left column? The words are all tactics Satan uses to undermine the work of the Holy Spirit, to erode our faith and to woo people away from Christ. This week we’ll look at the first two words, ambiguity and confusion and we’ll dive into the others over the next two weeks.
If we’re ambiguous it means that we’re open to various meanings and we’re equivocal (1). We’re prone to “waffle”. Someone who is ambiguous will not say there is just one way to Heaven, that would be too narrow and exclusive. No, they’ll be more of an ‘all roads lead to Heaven” kind of person. But John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We can be certain that Jesus is the only way to reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sin and redemption to eternal life.
Satan wants nothing more than to remove absolutes. If he can convince people that ‘being a good person’ or ‘doing good works’ will earn a spot in Heaven, then he’s accomplished his deception and lured people from the cross. Ambiguity leads to variations of the gospel, yet Galatians 1:6-7 warns us “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” Yes, there are ‘different gospels’ out there, but only One gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides grace and mercy for sinners. Romans 10:9 confirms it, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” That is Biblical certainty right there- there’s nothing ambiguous about it.
We need to pray that our sons and daughters have a clear understanding of justification and redemption through Jesus Christ. Romans 4:25-5:2 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Pray that they would have spiritual wisdom and would daily pursue Godly knowledge so that they are on guard against false gospels that would woo them from the cross. Pray that they have peace in the certainty that there is one way to the Father and that is through Jesus.
The second tactic Satan uses is confusion- a state of disorder. Have you ever been to a party where they play “pin the tail on the donkey”? The player is blindfolded and then spun around several times so they lose their bearings and have no sense of direction. Because they’re blindfolded, they have no ability to ‘see’ where they are going and their senses are confused. The spectators around them yell directions, but not everyone is honest about the destination they’re pointing toward. Just like the player in the game, those who struggle with confusion listen to those around them with no sense of who is leading them or to what they are being led. They lack a foundation of Truth and because of that, they’re vulnerable to follow the wrong path.
There are many ‘voices’ that give false direction. Oh, they ‘look the part’. They sound knowledgeable. But even Satan used scripture to tempt Jesus (Luke 4). Those struggling with spiritual confusion lack the spiritual discretion that warns them from false teachers. These other voices ‘sound good’ and the doubters begin to buy into the message. Why? Because they lack knowledge of Scripture. They lack a solid foundation. They lack spiritual discretion and a heart in tune with the Holy Spirit. Satan counts on that. He stirs confusion to pull people away from the Truth. But scripture says, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
An understanding of Scripture brings clarity. Pursuing correct knowledge and growing in our understanding of God’s Word protects us from confusion by the enemy. We must pray that our sons and daughters are diligent to add to their Biblical knowledge and guard against deception and confusion. 2 Peter 3: 17-18 “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
This week, let’s pray over our sons and daughters so ambiguity and confusion would not infect and impact their faith and cause them to doubt. Friends, the enemy is alive and well. He is the prince of the power of this earth. He is at work to draw us away from Christ and plant the seeds of doubt in our hearts. Let’s fight this!! Let’s get on our knees and intercede for those we love.
“Father, You see the dangers we face each day and You are mighty to surround us with protection. I pray for Your divine protection over (name) today. Filter what they hear through the Truth of Scripture. Give them spiritual discernment to know when they encounter false teaching or deceptive messages. I pray that they would have unwavering commitment to walk with You so they are not easily pulled from the path of life and sidelined by the enemy. Keep their path clear of obstacles that would make them ‘trip’ and make their direction sure- always pointed toward You and moving closer each day. Lord, guard us all from ambiguity and confusion. Don’t allow the opinions of others or the pressure of the crowd to influence our commitment and certainty about following Christ. I pray Philippians 4:7 over (name) today “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.