Audio Version Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2E0cV00GJU
"Many people are tempted to doubt that the Bible is God’s Word because they do not understand and cannot explain parts of the Bible. This is often true of those who have been Christians for only a short time. Satan tries to shake their faith in the Bible as God’s message to us. These people ask, 'How shall I know the right way? If the Bible is truly the Word of God, how can I become free of doubt?'
God always gives us facts and reasons before He asks us to believe. We know He lives because He is the Creator. He shows us His character by what He does for us. We know His Word is true because things have happened the way He said they would.
Yet God does not make it impossible for us to doubt. Our faith must rest on good reasons, not on absolute proof. Those who wish to doubt may do so. But people who really desire to know the truth will find good reasons to believe. They can rest their faith on the Word of God.
It is impossible for our minds to understand fully the character or the works of God. Even the brightest, best educated people cannot fully understand such a Holy Being. He will always be a mystery. Job said, 'Can you discover the limits and bounds of the greatness and power of God? The sky is no limit for God, but it lies beyond your reach. God knows the world of the dead, but you do not know it.' Job 11:7, 8.
The apostle Paul wrote, 'How great are God’s riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways? As the scripture says, 'Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice?' Romans 11:33. Even though 'clouds and darkness surround him; he rules with righteousness and justice.' Psalm 97:2. As we see how God deals with us and try to understand why He has led us the way He has, we can know that He is a God of love, mercy, and power. We can understand only as much of why He does some things as is good for us to know. We must trust His loving hands to lead us the rest of the way. His heart of love will do what is best for us. The Word of God, like the One who gave it, can never be fully understood. We cannot fully explain the sad story of how sin came into the world. We are not able to understand how the Son of God became a man. Nor can we understand just how we are made righteous and how we will be raised from the dead. But we must not doubt God’s Word because we cannot understand some things it tells us about. In the natural world are many things we cannot explain. The wisest people cannot fully understand the smallest forms of life. Everywhere are wonders we do not understand. Should we then be surprised to find things in the spiritual world that we cannot explain? Our minds are too weak and narrow to reach these higher thoughts. God has given us enough reasons to believe that the Scriptures are inspired." --Steps to Jesus pp. 105-107
You can find Bible evidence for your faith! You can test the truth of God's promises! You can know through personal experience!
Young Christians are sometimes troubled with little doubts. Maybe something in the Bible you cannot explain bothers you. It could be a question like, "How can I know what is right?" Usually the perplexity is in the human mind. God has given sufficient evidence in the Scriptures on which to base your understanding and faith. While there are divine mysteries, yet you can discern God's love and mercy in dealing with you. It is better to "taste and see that the Lord is good."
In this lesson you will look at the following Bible teachings regarding doubt, unbelief, and the exercise of faith—
BIBLE WARNING ABOUT UNBELIEF
1. What warning is given about doubt and unbelief? Hebrews 3:12.
Hebrews 3:12 (NIV) See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
2. How does shrinking back from an experience of faith affect our relationship with God? Hebrews 10:38.
Hebrews 10:38 (NIV) But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."
3. What assurance is given to those who strengthen in belief? Hebrews 10:39.
Hebrews 10:39 (NIV) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:39 (Phillips) Surely we are not going to be men who cower back and are lost, but men who maintain their faith until the salvation of their souls is complete!
4. What kind of report about the Promised Land was spread among ancient Israel? Numbers 13:32.
Numbers 13:32 (NIV) And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
5. What report did Caleb give to Israel? Numbers 13:30.
Numbers 13:30 (NIV) Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
6. What bad report of unbelief did the twelve spies give? Numbers 13:31.
Numbers 13:31 (NIV) But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
7. Why did many Israelites fail to enter God's rest? Hebrews 3:7-11.
Hebrews 3:7-11 (NIV) So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, 8) do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, 9) where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. 10) That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' 11) So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'"
8. What lessons should Christians today learn from Israel? Hebrews 4:1, 2.
Hebrews 4:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2) For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
Mark true (T) or false (F).
__Little doubts never lead to unbelief.
__Feeling able is not related to faith.
__Doubt and unbelief will cause you to fall short.
__Exercising faith is a Christian virtue.
9. What relationship do you see between unbelief and disobedience? Hebrews 3:18, 19.
Hebrews 3:18-19 (NIV) And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed ? 19) So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
10. What did Jesus call His generation? Mark 9:19.
Mark 9:19 (NIV) "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
11. What command did Jesus give Thomas, the doubting disciple? John 20:27.
John 20:27 (NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
12. By what do the righteous live? Hebrews 10:38.
Hebrews 10:38 (NIV) But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."
How will you put this into life practice?
13. How does Paul describe Abraham in regard to unbelief versus faith? Romans 4:20.
Romans 4:20 (NIV) Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
Note: Verbally giving glory to God, or praising Him is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your faith. Praise is pleasing to God (Psalm 50:23) but it acts upon you too: "It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance. While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have,--the great mercy and love of God,--we should have more faith and greater joy. No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God. Even on earth we may have joy as a wellspring, never failing, because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God."--The Ministry of Healing p. 251
If you need help cultivating the habit of praise, the following website may be of help:
https://sites.google.com/site/mydailypraise31times/
14. What appeal will enable the Christian to overcome unbelief? Mark 9:24.
Mark 9:24"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!' "
Memorize this prayer appeal to Jesus for help.
MY LIFE RESPONSE
The Bible says, "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." Hebrews 12:1, 2.
Are you determined to be a person of belief and faith and to resist the temptation of doubt and unbelief? Give your thoughts on this.
Additional Helps Regarding Faith:
"It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance. While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have,--the great mercy and love of God,--we should have more faith and greater joy. No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God. Even on earth we may have joy as a wellspring, never failing, because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God. Then let us educate our hearts and lips to speak the praise of God for His matchless love. Let us educate our souls to be hopeful and to abide in the light shining from the cross of Calvary. Never should we forget that we are children of the heavenly King, sons and daughters of the Lord of hosts. It is our privilege to maintain a calm repose in God." --The Ministry of Healing pp. 251-253
"I have frequently seen that the children of the Lord neglect prayer, especially secret prayer, altogether too much; that many do not exercise that faith which it is their privilege and duty to exercise, often waiting for that feeling which faith alone can bring. Feeling is not faith; the two are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise, but joyful feeling and the blessing are God's to give. The grace of God comes to the soul through the channel of living faith, and that faith it is in our power to exercise. True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith within the second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised blessing and claim it as ours. We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it, and according to the Word it is ours. 'What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.' Mark 11:24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing is realized and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. But many suppose they have much faith when sharing largely of the Holy Spirit and that they cannot have faith unless they feel the power of the Spirit. Such confound faith with the blessing that comes through faith. The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over the mind, then is the time to let living faith pierce the darkness and scatter the clouds. True faith rests on the promises contained in the Word of God, and those only who obey that Word can claim its glorious promises. "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. 'Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.'" 1 John 3:22. --Early Writings p. 72
"When the enemy seeks to enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light." Counsels to Parents Teachers and Students p. 233
"You have to talk faith, you have to live faith, you have to act faith, that you may have an increase of faith. Exercising that living faith, you will grow to strong men and women in Christ Jesus. God grant that this meeting that we are holding may be a meeting where the Sun of Righteousness may rise upon you and shine in your hearts with its clearest rays, making you all lights in the world.--Faith and Works p. 28
As we exercise faith, talk faith, and act faith, the promises of God will be verified to us. And as we walk consistently with our profession of faith, we are also teaching others to walk circumspectly."--Gospel Workers p. 434
"Let us leave unsaid every word of complaint. Talk faith and courage while waiting for God. . . . Be afraid to doubt, lest this become a habit that will destroy faith. The dealing of the heavenly Father may seem dark and mysterious and unexplainable; nevertheless we are to trust in Him."--In Heavenly Places p. 74
"We need a more firm reliance upon a 'Thus saith the Lord.' If we have this, we shall not trust to feeling, and be ruled by feeling. God asks us to rest in His love. It is our privilege to know the Word of God as a sure and tried guide, an infallible assurance. Let us work on the faith side of the question. Let us believe and trust, and talk faith and hope and courage. Let the praise of God be in our hearts and on our lips oftener than it is. 'Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me' (Psalm 50:23). Keep the mind stayed upon God, and know the love of Christ as the Word of God reveals it. This Word is life. Talk of Christ; call others to behold Him as your Redeemer."--Our Father Cares p. 255
"We dishonor God when we do not go forth from the dark cellar of doubts unto the upper chamber of hope and faith. When the Light shineth in all its brightness let us take hold on Jesus Christ by the mighty hand of faith. No longer cultivate your doubts by expressing them and pouring them into other minds, and thus becoming an agent of Satan to sow the seeds of doubt. Talk faith, live faith, cultivate love to God; evidence to the world all that Jesus is to you. Magnify His holy name. Tell of His goodness; talk of His mercy, and tell of His power." --Our Father Cares p. 20
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.