Reasonable DoubtNäide

The title of this devotional is Reasonable Doubt, which invokes sentiments from the court of law. One of the basic tenets of reasonable doubt is that it is “a fair, actual, and logical doubt based upon reason and common sense.” When we examine the definitions of the individual words, we find that "doubt" means “to call into question the truth or to feel uncertain," while "reasonable" refers to “a person possessing sound judgment; fair and sensible.”

However, looking at doubt from a biblical perspective, we uncover a deeper, more troubling aspect. To begin, let's consider the negative forms of doubt. The first kind is a stubborn refusal to believe or a state of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12 warns us against this, describing it as an evil heart that leads to a departure from the living God. James 1:6-8 elaborates further, stating that a doubter is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, and is considered double-minded and unstable.

This type of doubt can lead believers astray, potentially transforming them into apostates who deny or reject God. Often, this is due to a traumatic experience, unmet expectations, unanswered prayer, or having the wrong teacher/guide in the faith. To avoid this dangerous form of doubt, it is essential to maintain a strong connection within a God-fearing community, regularly read and study the Bible, and spend time in God’s presence. Being firmly rooted in scripture and sound doctrine is crucial for establishing our faith in the rock of Jesus.

Although I highlighted the cautions in James, verse 5 tells us that “if any of us lack wisdom, to ask God.” We must have this posture to stay connected to our faith: casting any of our cares and burdens to the Lord. As we will explore later, he is not afraid of your doubts or questions — He welcomes them.