Doubt, nature of

Doubt leads to insecurity and lack of trust concerning God's willingness and ability to deliver his people. It also leads to a fear of people and situations.

Doubting God's truth

Doubt as a questioning of God's words

Genesis 3:1 See also Genesis 3:4; Isaiah 5:19; Jeremiah 17:15; 2 Peter 3:4

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

Doubt as lack of faith

Matthew 21:21–22 parallel Mark 11:23–24 See also Matthew 17:20; Mark 6:6, Mark 16:14; Luke 17:6

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Doubt as wavering

James 1:6 See also 1 Kings 18:21; Romans 4:20; Ephesians 4:13–14

But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Doubt as double-mindedness

James 1:8 See also 2 Kings 17:40–41; Luke 16:13; 1 Corinthians 10:21; James 4:8

He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Doubt as insecurity about relationship with God

Doubting God's compassion

Psalm 77:7–9 See also Psalm 90:13; Hebrews 12:5–6

“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah

Doubting God's concern

Job 30:20; Isaiah 49:14 See also Psalm 13:1–2, Psalm 22:1–2, Psalm 35:17; Isaiah 40:27; Jeremiah 8:18–22; Lamentations 3:8; Habakkuk 1:2

I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer; when I stand up, You merely look at me.

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”

Doubting God's desire to deliver

Jeremiah 45:3 See also Exodus 5:22–23; Lamentations 2:1–9, Lamentations 3:13–20

You have said, ‘Woe is me because the LORD has added sorrow to my pain! I am worn out with groaning and have found no rest.’”

Doubting God's ability to deliver

Psalm 78:18–22 See also Exodus 14:10–12; Psalm 78:41–43; Matthew 8:26 parallels Mark 4:39–40, Luke 8:24–25

They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, because they did not believe God or rely on His salvation.

Doubting God's justice

Jeremiah 12:1 See also Job 9:23; Psalm 73:13–16, Psalm 82:2; Jeremiah 15:16–18; Habakkuk 1:13

Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?

Doubt as fear of people and situations

Matthew 14:30–31 See also Genesis 12:12–13, Genesis 19:30, Genesis 26:7; Joshua 7:5; 1 Samuel 17:11; Isaiah 51:12–13

But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”