Let’s examine what doubt, lack of belief, and unbelief are.
Lack of belief – Lack means deficiency or absence. Belief means acceptance and conviction that something is true. So, a lack of belief means there’s no belief that something is true. This doesn’t mean, however, that the person doesn’t want to believe, but that they just don’t know yet how to believe. They need some help, or convincing, in order to believe.
Unbelief – This is someone who willfully sets themselves against believing biblical truth. The Bible mentions two kinds of unbelief.
One kind of unbelief is doubt accompanied by a desire to believe:
“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Another kind of unbelief is an obstinate, hard-hearted refusal to believe: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). This kind of unbelief not only hinders the supernatural work of God, but also brings about God’s righteous anger and swift judgment. “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (Matthew 13:58)
Since doubt is common to all of us, we need to know what to do with it so we can move on to greater faith that withstands hardships, but also pleases God.
WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE THINGS WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND?
There are some things in the Bible that we can’t explain. One day in heaven we’ll understand, but for now, they’ll remain a mystery. And that’s O.K. (Personally, I believe that we have enough concerns on earth, that we don’t need to muddy the waters with concerns about the things God has chosen not to reveal to us.)
UNDERSTANDING WHAT’S BEHIND DOUBT AND HOW SATAN USES IT AGAINST US
A common problem for younger Christians is they haven’t grown enough in their faith to fully understand how Satan works to shake them from their confidence in Scriptures as a revelation from God. They ask, “How will I know the right way? And if the Bible is indeed the word of God, how can I be freed from my constant doubts and uncertainties?”
GOD UNDERSTANDS THAT AT TIMES WE MAY WAIVER IN OUR FAITH
God never asks us to believe without giving us ample evidence to base our faith upon. His existence, character, and the truthfulness of His Word, are all verified by biblical testimony that appeals to our sense of reason.
It’s not just a few examples of evidence, for the Bible contains numerous and abundant testimony of God intervening on behalf on His children. Because God understands that we’ll occasionally doubt, He seeks to answer those doubts sufficiently. That’s why He left us His Word. In it are numerous instances of how Jesus revealed Himself to people and how He answered their doubts and lack of faith.
2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Taken from a book I’m writing (not yet published) about …what to do with your doubt. See all 89 of my books at Amazon.com:
WISDOM BRINGS FREEDOM MINISTRIES by Lilliet Garrison 