Unlike what science teaches about opposite poles attracting one another, faith and doubt are opposing to one another, and cannot co-exist nor be attracted to each other. They are like light to darkness, and day to night. Both are not the same in all ratification.
Faith is a conscious convincing decision we make, and is the substance of things we hope for i.e. being certain or confident of certain things (Hebrews 11:1). On the other hand, doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction that comes out of fear that cripples, paralyses, limits, and hinders a person from doing what he/she needs to do. Doubt is unbelief and is not pleasing to God.
At some point in life, we experience doubt. It comes in different ways for different people, but its purpose is usually the same – to hinder, delay, and to challenge us to change our minds about certain decisions we are about to make. To doubt oneself is not a good thing. To doubt God is even worse. How we tackle these doubts is what really separates the men from boys; the wise from foolish; and the average from the great. Thus, it is important that we know how to tackle it.
God does not want us to live in fear nor unbelief (doubt). He has given us the Spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). It is imperative to state that the Word of God gives faith (Romans 10:17), and it is important to have faith to overcome doubt. So, before you allow your doubts to weaken your faith, doubt your doubts first by challenging your doubts with the Word of Faith.
This is important especially now that we are about couple of weeks into the New Year, and some already face unimaginable magnitude of challenges. Some are about to throw in the towel on their zeal and positive attitude that this will be their year of breakthroughs etc. Sometimes, we allow our challenges to have the very best of us. At times, we allow our circumstances to veil our eyes of reasoning that we fail to consider the alternatives but to give up. However, remember the saying that “tough times don’t last, tough people do”. We must be tough against our doubts for dreams and desires to manifest and last.
Many of our doubts come from our thoughts, and what we listen to that breeds fear. Remember that just as faith comes by hearing the Word of God, doubt also comes by listening to the voices that opposes the Word of Faith. Thus, we must be careful of the people around us. Who are those that speak into your life, and what words do they speak? People we listen to, and give power to rule can make or break us. It is too dangerous to ascribe so much influence to people that do not know you like you know yourself. Self-doubt is one of the fiercest oppositions to human development, and successes. The conflicts within a person, and what the individual thinks of himself or herself.
A statement referenced to Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones states, “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? We must talk to ourselves instead of allowing ourselves to talk to us!” In essence, you can be your own worst enemy if careless and undetermined. Confront your fears and doubts. Get out of your comfort zones, and explore new horizons. Do not be afraid to fail. You will overcome if you persist.
Lastly, Jesus’ stepbrother – James, likened a doubting person to a sea wave tossed and blown by the wind in James 1:6. He charged followers of Christ to pray believing by faith, and not to doubt. We fall prey to our doubts when we allow them to dictate to us. Rather, we must take charge and talk to ourselves from the Word of God that gives life to our dreams and desires; and dispels our fears. We will make it through this year by God’s help and our cooperation with His Spirit. Let us walk in love and faith. Together, we will prevail!
I invite you to come and join us in this fight to improve in all facets of spirituality and humanity. We meet on Sundays @ 9am to 11:30am, and Wednesdays @ 7pm. The address is 116 E. Broadway, Kennedale, TX 76060.
God bless you more as you come. Amen!
Your Sparring Partner, Pastor James Adeyeye
Comments are closed.