Why do most Christians consider doubt bad?

Question

Why do most Christians consider doubt as a sign of a faithless person; even the disciples doubted in Matthew 16, yet they weren't rebuked. If Jesus didn't rebuke, who are you to judge someone who is doubting in their walk?

One of you asked about my "evidence". I see people struggle with keeping this secret every day. They are not as strong as they'd like people to believe they are, so the crush themselves under a falsehood, because other Christians will tell them they are immature Christians, or something didn't work out because they didn't have enough faith.They'd rather blame the believer instead of admitting that they don't know the answer to why bad things happen, and to why God lets some prayers go unanswered, because their whole tenet of belief is that if you believe strongly enough, you can get a prayer answered. God will come through no matter what. So, when he choses to be silent, what, THEN, is their answer?!

Ok, for the people who have brought religion into this...it's not the same. I believe that religion, in and of itself, has too much "man" in it.

Answer 1

i think it would depend on what it is that you are doubting and more importantly it's how you handle that doubt. We see in the Bible people who question God- but they trust Him and they ask Him to answer their doubts.

in terms of your last part of the question regarding someone who is doubting their walk- it has to be situation specific.

There are times when we doubt and we need a wise word of encouragement. We see many Scriptures where Jesus knows that people will doubt and he encourages them not to lose heart. Jesus wouldn't tell us don't lose heart if he didn't understand that sometimes we do.

i hope that helps... the important thing is not to allow doubt to cause you to draw conclusions that are often untrue.

Hope that helps- would be glad to help with any specific situation- [e-mail]

Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 2

Why do most Christians consider doubt bad? The same reason everybody else does - insecurities.

We all want to KNOW that something is solid and consistent. Examples might be: a parent's love, the car starting, the mind-numbing beer buzz, etc.
We like to be able to count on something so that the craziness of the world doesn't overwhelm us.

So, many Christians find comfort in the certainties they have about their faith.

Answer 3

Any one who says they have never had doubt either have a perfect life, or they are lying.....and I don't know anyone who has had a perfect life. There are true Christians who do what they should and are truthful and will admit that being a Christian is not entirely easy, but there are others that pretend to be so holy in the public or in church, but their true colors eventually come out. You stay strong and don't let fake people brake you, In the end the only opinion that matters is God's.

Answer 4

Many people get it in their heads that things have to be a certain way and refuse to open their minds to anything else. They assume that because something worked for them, then it must work for everyone and anyone who dare think or live differently is a heathen worthy only of the deepest, darkest part of Hell.

When people get all high and mighty in judging people, you could always quote this verse to them: "Judge not lest ye be judged." Oddly enough, I've never heard a radical Christian quote this verse.

And before the allegations roll in, I would like to say that I am of the Christian faith.

Answer 5

I know for me it seems that a lot of the doubt I encounter here isn't honest but argumentative and that'll get people pretty irate.
Honest doubt is a part of developing faith that's worth something. you're right, there is plenty of New Testament evidence that disciples doubted. We need to be able to question our beliefs to develop a testimony of them that will do some good.
A true believer will never consider honest doubt to be a bad thing.

Answer 6

I think that most people are confused about the difference between "doubt" and "unbelief".

The term "doubt" usually is another word for "fear". That is, doubt is an emotion, and you cannot always control what you feel.

The term "unbelief" refers to a deliberate lack of belief, and it is an act of the will. A person who doubts God for no reason, or buries his head in the sand, so to speak, is guilty of the sin of unbelief. A person who refuses to believe in God despite evidence to the contrary is probably nursing some pet sin that he doesn't want to quit.

Answer 7

Mark 9:24 says "....... Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief."

This was spoken by a father who was asking Jesus to heal his son. The man obviously had some doubt, but was so desperate to trust in Jesus' power. Jesus did not rebuke him, and He even healed the boy by casting demons from him.

I often pray this scripture when I am filled with doubt. I know that God loves me and sees my heart...... because, like the father in that scripture, I desire to trust in Jesus.

Romans 10:9 says "If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, then you shall be saved."

Answer 8

Yes, I agree but God can handle our doubts. I suggest not to hide your feelings and fears from God, instead ask Him to help you work through your questions and doubts.

Great heroes in the Bible expressed their doubts to God, and this is comforting to know. Even though they had many unanswered questions about their faith, God still used them to do great things.

Answer 9

>>>Why do most Christians consider doubt as a sign of a faithless person<<<

Why do you believe that most Christians think this way? What is your evidence for making this claim?

Answer 10

Good question.

I'm agnostic, so the very foundation of my religious beliefs is doubt. But that includes BENEFIT of the doubt.