Doubt Your Doubts! Part 2 – Luke 1:18-24

All Christians doubt at some point in their life. They might doubt that they are truly saved because of indwelling sin or they might doubt God’s word because what they read does not match what they perceive. When encountering a season of doubt, it is crucial that the believer rush quickly back to God’s Word and to the good news of the gospel, otherwise the doubt might grow into deadly unbelief.

“How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”

Zacharias was full of doubt upon receiving the news that he would have a son named John. He was old, and his wife was also beyond childbearing age. Even though the news was delivered by the angel Gabriel, Zacharias own understanding of his situation filled him with doubt. Instead of responding with joy at the good news, he responds with a question.

Even the faithful can have doubt

• Zacharias was a faithful priest who lived righteously in the sight of God (Luke 1:6) yet doubted God’s power.

• Abraham and Sarah also doubted they would have a child in their old age

• Job doubted God’s purpose in His suffering (Job 1:8)

• John the Baptist wondered whether Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 11:3)

• Thomas doubted the resurrection (John 20:24-25)

• Spurgeon was plagued by self-doubt of his genuine salvation.

Doubt is a question, while unbelief is a statement. There is a significant difference as well as a connection between the two. Doubt asks if God is able or if God is willing, while unbelief is a willful denial of the truth. If undealt with, questions of doubt can lead to unbelief and a complete rejection of Christ. For example, Charles Templeton started questioning the creation account in Genesis which lead to his denial of Christ’s deity.

Why do Christians doubt?

1. They do not apply their knowledge of God.

   1. Zacharias knew God had created the universe out of nothing and God had given Abraham and Sarah a child, yet this knowledge was applied to his own situation.

2. They look to lesser things then God

   1. Zacharias saw only his physical condition and his wife’s old age instead of looking to God

   2. At first, when Peter walks on the water, he sees Jesus but as soon as he saw the waves of the storm, he doubts and starts to sink. (Matthew 14: 29-30)

3. They distrust God’s word. Instead, their experience and worldly knowledge are their source of truth.

4. They experience disappointment

   1. All Christians have unanswered prayers which lead to questioning if God is listening or if He cares

   2. Disappointment leads to discontentment and doubting God’s salvation or love for you.

5. Comparisons to others can breed disappointment. A Christian must be careful to compare to others and define success in his own way. The parable of Lazarus and the rich man reminds us to not trust the exterior status of the current life.

To overcome doubt, the Christian must turn to God’s word. Here are four reasons to trust God and His word.

1. God’s word is trustworthy: The angel Gabriel, whose name means God is strength, also had visited Daniel to deliver God’s message. God had proven numerous times that He accomplishes what He says.

2. God’s word is authoritative: The only reason why sanctification is possible is by the power and authority of God’s word. Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, is representing His authority. (Esther 1:13-14)

3. God’s word is for each individual: The news was for Zechariah and not for everyone. In the same way, God’s word is for you. The source of doubt can often be traced to the failure of personal devotion to the Word.

4. God’s word is the gospel: The gospel is the most important and joyful truth. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The hope to erase all doubts is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.

All believers face doubt and must be wary of falling into unbelief. The Lord has given us the perfect truth of His word and the gospel to take away all our doubt and strengthen our trust in Him.