One major thing that kills faith in every Christians is doubt. Doubt simply means a lack of faith. No matter the level of determination one has to do something if doubt enters, it reduces the zeal and the optimism in that person. The best way to get things done or to have a miracle is not by praying alone or by acting alone but by killing the spirit of doubt in us. If faith stands and doubt is absent, everything will become possible – miracles will abound and success will be present. One more thing is that killing doubt will make God be pleased with us.
James 1:6-8 NIV “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. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
The bible mentioned different reasons why people pray and not receive answers to their prayers. One of these reasons is the one that is found in the book of James 4:3 NIV “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Asking to spend on the wrong things or to use in a wrong way can make God not answer most prayers including the prayers of many Christians. The second reason why God will not answer prayers or the reason why we will not be able to take control of things around is doubt. Jesus has indeed given us the power to trample under feet the serpent and scorpion, to make this happen or to activate the power, faith must be applied.
One thing that is responsible for doubt is fear. Jesus was walking on water, He was walking towards his disciples – they were afraid when they saw Him and Peter ask Jesus to command him to join Him walking on water. Peter started walking on water but at a point, the sound of the storm and the waves of the sea brought fear into him and he doubted he could go longer. When doubt entered into Peter, he began to sink. Peter, realizing that he couldn’t go any longer, cried out to Jesus for help and Jesus told Him in Matthew 14:30 NIV “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Fear in our lives is the reason why doubt will always have power over us. There are things that people have desired to do, it will surely bring success but listening to the negative words of other people has created fear and then the spirit of doubt enters. This is the reason why the bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” We have not been given the spirit of fear that will bring doubt – what we have is the spirit of power that will strengthen our faith. Do not allow the words of men to discourage you, do not allow the spirit of the doubt to get the best of you. In the Bible Text, it says if you ask, you must believe. It is a simple thing for anyone to understand. If you doubt, don’t expect anything for the Lord because He doesn’t like those that will doubt His ability to do great things.
It is important because you are asking from God through Christ Jesus and God id interested in those who have faith. Having faith pleases God and that is why faith will get anything done for us. (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).
Reflection Questions.
- In what way have I doubted God before in my life?
- Am I still doubting what God is capable of doing in my life?
- Am I listening to the voice of the Lord or the voice of the people around me?
- What step have I taken to kill the spirit of doubt in me before it kills faith in me and makes powerless?
- How am I allowing fear in me?
Prayer of the day.
Dear Lord, I thank you for your mercy and grace. I know that the spirit of doubt can kill faith in me. I know if I allow fear to take the best of me, it will allow doubt in me. I want the spirit of fear to be destroyed in my life Lord, and if there is any way I have doubted you, Lord, forgive me. Lord, give me the strength to overcome doubt. Build my faith in you and let me be strong in you in a way that doubt will have no space. Open my ears to hear your word alone and not the negative words of men. Amen.