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Knowing God #6: Dealing With Doubt

Pastor Scott Applegate

Sermon Notes:

“And have mercy on those who doubt…” Jude 22 ESV

Diagnosing Doubt

  • Doubt is not the same as unbelief

Biblical example David (Psalm 10, 22:1-2, 42:9-10, 43:2, 74:11)

  • Doubt is not unforgivable, God does not condemn us when we question

Biblical example John the Baptist (Matthew 1:1-19)

  • Doubt is not always unhealthy, doubt can actually produce positive effects when you work toward resolving them

Biblical example Thomas (John 20:28)

How Does Doubt Infect Us?

  • Through our minds, emotions and wills

The Remedy to Doubt Is FAITH

F: Find the root of your doubt

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 NIV

A: Ask God and others for help

“….I do have faith; oh, help me to have more!” Mark 9:24 LB

 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV

I: Implement a course of treatment

  • Am I infected with questions?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Is there a question I would like answered? ____________________________________________

  • Am I infected through my feelings?

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

Is there a life experience I am having trouble dealing with? _______________________________________________________________________

  • Am I infected because of my choices?

“Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me…” Psalm 19:13 NIV

Is there an area of my life not surrendered to Him? ______________________________________

T: Take care of your Spiritual health

  • Exercise: “…Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.” 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 LB
  • Eat right: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 NASB

H: Hold on tight to the answerable questions, hold on loosely to the unanswerable ones.

“In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 LB

“…Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15

“Will you follow me?” Matthew 4:19

“Will you trust me?” John 14:1