(James 1:8, 2Corinthians 10:5, Deuteronomy 7:9, Romans 8:32).
A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Many a time, after a long session of prayers maybe a vigorous one, doubt would then come casually, as nothing serious has happened. It comes to wreck havoc, blowing away everything as if nothing happened! Whenever we come to God in prayers, we are coming because we know He is able to answer us. We are putting our issues before God because there is an inner witness within us that, “this God answers prayer”. Contrary to this, after the wrestling in prayers, the spirit of doubt then comes around only to whisper to us that the prayer might not be answered. And the more we ponder on what it whispers, the bolder and clearer the voice becomes.
So, in this week point of focus, the Holy Spirit will be leading us to two ways of conquering doubt, which are: by the authority of the word of God and power of the Holy Spirit.
1) Conquering by the Authority of the Word of God
Doubt comes as if to enlighten us on either how God is not faithful to His promises or how worthless we are. And to these two points, the word of God has sufficient answers, as it has for every other lies of the master liar – the devil. We always need a higher authority to silent another authority. So, now the higher authority to doubt is the word of God. Let us not forget what it says,”…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God…”
1a) So, for the first lie (against the faithfulness of God), please consider;
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;).
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
1b) Then, for the second lie (against how worthless we are), please let us consider;
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
1John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
(Romans chapter 8 is also a great chapter for such strength, however, there are more passages in God’s word. Study them as the Holy Spirit leads).
So, in like manner, there is always authority from the word of God at our disposal for countering every doubt the deceiver brings. When Jesus gives you a promise or you discover His promises for you, go through the word of God, search for the passage connected to such promise and soak yourself in it (meditate on it and confess it to yourself). Do not give a place to suggestions contrary to the promise of God which is trying to make Jesus a liar. Put it clearly to the devil that he is a liar and God is faithful and His Word is true.
If we must say it as it is, the kind of faith Father is asking from us is a CHILDLIKE FAITH. A faith that believes it as it was said, no pondering on how possible but absolute faith just as heard. “…I believe it and that settles it.” It is ours to believe and it is for the Lord to be faithful to His promise. We cannot be blamed for believing the Lord. In God’s grace it is easy (by the Holy Spirit of God) and free to believe (through Jesus Christ our Lord).
At times we believe people’s reports better than God’s. No matter who says a thing, if it is contrary to God’s promise to us (and we need to make a choice), let us choose the report of God. Even, if pastor’s report is contrary to what is evidently God’s promise, please beloved, choose the report of the Lord (Isaiah 53:1).
2) Conquering by the Power of the Holy Spirit
The second way to conquer doubt is by calling on the Holy Spirit for help. He is our helper. He leads us to the truth but only if we call on Him (Luke 11:13). We always need a higher power to silent another power. So, now the higher power against the spirit of doubt is the Holy Spirit of God.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Only the Holy Spirit can do this in us. God’s word says, “it is not by power and not by might but by my Spirit”. He gives us the enablement which the flesh lacks. He overrules every impossibility the flesh offers. He purifies our mind, making doubt lose its foothold. purify your hearts, ye double minded (James 4:8).
At times, it helps to think about “faith” in the line of free to do i.e it is free to believe. Again we bother less to believe God but bother more to doubt Him. We are not turning blind eyes to the fact that it could be so difficult to believe in some cases when the intensity of the challenges or the duration spent in it, has in a way (almost) overcome our faith. God only works for those who have faith in Him. Whoever doubt will not receive anything from God. By His standard, we must not doubt but believe. So is He giving us more than we can bear? No. Then how do we do it in God? First, we must confess to Him (do not just fake a non-existent faith) and ask for forgiveness of the sin of doubt (disbelief). Then ask for grace and power to believe. Like in Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. The Lord challenged the man to believe and instead of him faking a non-existent faith he honestly asked that the Lord should help His unbelief
However, where we still cannot find this peace, let us talk with other Holy Spirit led brethren, the Lord might have inspired them to help us in such time of doubt. May the mercy of God be upon us in Jesus name.
Prayer points
1) Lord, I thank You for the provisions You made for my victory over doubt.
2) Lord Jesus, by mercy, forgive me my sin of doubt and cleanse me with Your blood.
3) Holy Spirit, come into me and purify my heart with Your purifying fire.
4) I receive the grace and power of God to believe and trust Him, in Jesus name (Mark 9:24).
5) Oh Lord, by mercy and grace, let it be unto me according to Your word (good promises) (Luke 1:37, 38).