Anonymous asked: I was checking out blogs, when I suddenly came across exquisiteheiress' post (/post/21967843937/weekly-message-eyes-on-the-horizon) ; I tried to message her but it seems she's offline and I needed the answer badly. Is doubting a sin?

Hi! That’s a real good question! By taking a  look at scripture we kind of get an idea of how God’s attitude toward doubt is by how He responded to doubters during His time on earth. 

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” - Matthew 14:28–31

In the above verse when Jesus saw that Peter had doubted, did Jesus let Peter drown? Haha no! Instead Jesus reached out, caught Peter, and told him “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” .

Purdy interesting stuff!  Let’s keep reading! :)

The next couple of verses I’m going to lay out for you is when Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection. Were Jesus disciples wrestling with doubt? Sure! Even though He had promised them He would rise again, they doubted the promise and had a hard time accepting the truth even when He stood right in front of them. 

“Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace be to you! But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Feel and handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” - Luke 24:36-39

Jesus didn’t get angry with His disciples and tell them they were all going to burn for doubting and just walk out on them. Hahha. He never said any of that instead He was patient with them and tried to help them to understand, believe, trust in Him, and to show them that He had done exactly what He promised He would do (be resurrected on the third day.)

“And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while [since] they still could not believe it for sheer joy and marveled, He said to them, Have you anything here to eat? They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, And He took [it] and ate [it] before them.” - Luke 40-43

In the above verses Jesus even eats fish in front of them, trying to help them to doubt Him less and trust Him more, trying to help them not be so afraid. Now, How awesome is that?! :D

I think it’s important to note that Jesus didn’t really ever label doubt a sin. But just because He didn’t label it a sin, does it mean that He likes us doubting. When you’re dealing with doubt don’t run away from God saying “I’m so ashamed, you’re disappointed in me that’s why I can’t talk to you or face you.”  no, don’t do that instead run towards God and ask Him to help you believe in Him. It works better that way! Trust me. :)

In Jude 1:22 God tells us to “Be merciful to those who doubt.”  which also means that God will do the same when us when we doubt.

Having doubts is not a sin.

But allowing those doubts to hinder your walk with Christ isn’t the answer. And using doubts as an excuse to break God’scommands is never okay. 

God Bless!