Dealing with Doubt

Luke 7:18-23

I’ve heard a few people say they’d never had any doubts since they received Christ. I am concerned for them. Later in this passage, Jesus himself said there had been no greater prophet than John, yet he doubted. Isaiah doubted, and the disciples doubted when Jesus was crucified. Doubt is normal when we take control of our lives rather than letting the Holy Spirit have control. Few if any can honestly say they have never experienced a time when they didn’t walk in the Spirit.

With that in mind it is hard to be judgmental toward John in his moment of doubt as described here. He had been imprisoned for telling what God said, and knew that Herodias was pressing for his execution. He was also separated from what was going on, except for brief news from his followers. I can only imagine the emotional pressure he was under. To question is understandable. How we respond to the doubt is the important thing. Rather than yielding to it and giving up, John sent to make sure of the truth.

“And the disciples of John showed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?” (Luke 7:18-20)

Jesus did not immediately answer the question or give them some long explanation. Instead, he continued his ministry, healing the sick and performing miracles.

“And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Luke 7:21-23)

After they had observed the results, the fruit of Jesus’ labor, he instructed them to go back and describe them to John. To often we depend on having followed a set of rules for our assurance. For example, we may attempt to reassure one of their salvation by reviewing the steps they took in obtaining it. It is an ineffective approach.

When I boot up my computer, there are certain things that must be done. The proof that they worked is that the computer comes on. The proof that a person received Christ is not that they followed a sequence of steps or prayed a certain prayer, but that the Holy Spirit is active in their lives. As Paul explains in I Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” Real assurance comes from observing what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. Romans 8:16 declares, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

Once again, we are to examine the results, the fruit, not just the actions. If the results are not proper, then it is certain the actions didn’t work. Our faith is not some blind faith, but is based on what God has done before. The best cure for doubt is looking at what God is doing and has done already.