Is it OK to doubt God?

If you've struggled with doubt or are currently struggling with it, before you do anything else, you simply must know that going through these seasons — those ones that wreck you about Jesus and God — is normal. And not only is it normal, but it's also necessary. Doubts are the growing pains of the faith.

What should I do if I doubt God?

Jesus himself said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Mark 2:17). When the doubts tell us to distance ourselves from Jesus, one way we fight it is by drawing closer to him. We continue to hang out with him through his Word and in prayer, even when the doubts are not gone.

What does it mean to doubt God?

Unbelieving doubt is willful rebellion against God just like theirs. It is the insistence that we know better than God and would be better off if He did things our way. Ultimately it seeks to subjugate God to our authority. Christ sets the example for the believing doubter.

Is questioning God is a sin?

It's not a sin to question God — search the scriptures if you doubt. I believe God wants us to question His plan and His ways. He settles our doubts by giving us the belief that His ways are not always our ways.

Is it acceptable to question God?

It's natural to ask God what's going on. But the truth is, God will never abandon you. He is always there for guidance and, yes, you can ask God anything. He already knows what's on your heart and, by lifting your questions and prayers to him, you're demonstrating true faith in him.

It’s Okay To Have Doubts | Pastor Steven Furtick

What happens when you question God?

God doesn't get angry with our questions. He invites them. It's often through our questioning that we come to a deeper understanding of who God is.

Does the Bible tell us to test God?

Moses tells us–Jesus tells us–that we must not put God to the test. To test God means much more than trying to get Him to do a miracle; to test God is to insist that He prove that He is trustworthy. To test God is to look at today's difficulties and say, “A loving God would never let me suffer in this way.

What is the biggest sin according to God?

One eternal or unforgivable sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit), also known as the sin unto death, is specified in several passages of the Synoptic Gospels, including Mark 3:28–29, Matthew 12:31–32, and Luke 12:10, as well as other New Testament passages including Hebrews 6:4–6, Hebrews 10:26–31, and 1 John 5:16.

What does God say about questioning faith?

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." "For we walk by faith, not by sight." "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Who doubts God in the Bible?

In the Bible, it's not just Thomas who doubted. Think about it: Everyone did! Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, and the list goes on. They all were doubters.

Is it normal for Christians to doubt God?

If you've struggled with doubt or are currently struggling with it, before you do anything else, you simply must know that going through these seasons — those ones that wreck you about Jesus and God — is normal. And not only is it normal, but it's also necessary. Doubts are the growing pains of the faith.

Why we should not doubt God?

God doesn't expect us to never experience doubt

God is not intimidated by bad news, or our fears; and He is not offended by our honest prayers. When we talk about faith and doubt, we often get this idea that God rewards those who believe without ever having a wavering feeling.

Is doubting a lack of faith?

Doubts are a natural part of believing. Doubts do not equate with unbelief. Christian theologian Paul Tillich wrote, "Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith." In Genesis Abraham doubted whether God was really going to make good on his promise to give him and Sarah a son.

How do you pray when you doubt God?

Lord, especially when we fear and doubt, remind us of all the ways you know us and know what we need. Lord, help us to hide your promises about fear and doubt in our heart through scripture memory. Lord, you know the way we fear and doubt and yet your Holy word is full of verses that call us away from fear and anxiety.

Is it OK to have doubts about Jesus?

It is normal to have questions about the gospel and even to experience doubt. Pondering your unanswered questions can often be healthy if it motivates you to sincerely seek greater knowledge and truth.

Can you have faith and still doubt?

“Doubt isn't some sinful lapse from unwavering faith—it's actually built into it. A proposition you couldn't doubt wouldn't be a matter of faith.” In the same way that faith and reason are not incompatible, doubt is not a threat to faith.

Can Christians doubt their faith?

There isn't a Christian who doesn't have doubts about his or her faith. However, many of us are too proud to admit it. A lot of Christians would have those of us who do admit we occasionally succumb to doubt that we have some spiritual problem that needs to be fixed.

Is it OK to question faith?

Struggling with faith is normal; it's part of growing.

It's normal to have questions about God. Sometimes taking faith and the questions it poses seriously means struggling with faith. And sometimes it causes you to have doubts. But as long as there's a kernel of belief left in you, you have not lost your faith.

Does believing in God change your brain?

Intense, long-term contemplation of God and other spiritual values appears to permanently change the structure of those parts of the brain that control our moods, give rise to our conscious notions of self, and shape our sensory perceptions of the world.

What is a deadliest sin?

Of the seven deadly sins, theologians and philosophers reserve a special place for pride. Lust, envy, anger, greed, gluttony and sloth are all bad, the sages say, but pride is the deadliest of all, the root of all evil, and the beginning of sin.

What is the 1 unforgivable sin in the Bible?

In Mark 3:29 Jesus says that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” Matthew's account adds that even blasphemy against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31–32).

What sin is most serious?

Pride (superbia), also known as hubris (from Ancient Greek ὕβρις) or futility. It is considered the original and worst of the seven deadly sins on almost every list, the most demonic. It is also thought to be the source of the other capital sins. Pride is the opposite of humility.

Where does it say not to test God?

In full Deuteronomy 6:16 reads "Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah." This is a reference to the events of Exodus 17:5 where the Israelites wandering in the desert doubted God was with them (cf. Psalm 95:9; Numbers 14:22ff).

Why does God allow us to be tested?

Being tested is a natural part of being human. So it is no surprise that being tested is also a biblical design pattern. Characters in the Bible experience tests throughout the entire story to see if they can live up to God's intended purpose for humanity.

How do you test and approve God's will?

To test God's will is to look at life differently and ask what He wants. Testing is accomplished through a series of trials, seeking after what is a good and acceptable use of our life for His purposes. Similar to testing a metal by putting it through the fire we are to explore and investigate God's will.