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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 307 min read

How Can We Guard Against Doubt and Strengthen Our Faith in God?

Understanding the Nature of Doubt


Doubt, when properly understood, is not inherently destructive. The Bible itself presents moments when individuals questioned or wrestled with their faith, seeking to understand the deeper truths of Jehovah’s will and promises. However, not all forms of doubt are beneficial. Just as doubt can serve as a means to seek truth, it can also act as a dangerous spiritual infection that undermines faith. Satan, from the beginning, has used doubt as a powerful tool to disrupt a person's relationship with Jehovah. This is evident in his approach with Eve in the Garden of Eden, where he subtly questioned God's command by asking, “Is it really so that God said you must not eat from every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1). His goal was to plant a seed of doubt in her mind about God’s intentions.


The Scriptures show that doubt can weaken our ability to make righteous decisions and open the door for Satan's lies and deceit. In contrast, faith—when nurtured and continually strengthened—serves as a defense against such attacks. In James 1:6-8, we are warned that a person who prays while doubting is "like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about." This vivid image conveys the instability that doubt brings into one’s relationship with Jehovah. Thus, while it is natural to experience questions, there must be vigilance to ensure that these do not develop into doubts that compromise one’s spiritual integrity.



Jehovah’s Provision for Faith


Jehovah, in His wisdom, has provided His people with ample resources to sustain and grow their faith. One of the primary ways He does this is through His inspired Word. As Jesus explained, "Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth" (Matthew 4:4). The Word of God is our spiritual sustenance, and without regular intake, we become spiritually malnourished, leaving us vulnerable to the kinds of destructive doubts that Satan seeks to implant.


Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith follows the thing heard," meaning that consistent exposure to and meditation upon Jehovah’s Word builds and fortifies our faith. Like those in Beroea who "carefully examined the Scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11), we too must take an active role in reinforcing our trust in Jehovah through study, prayer, and application of His teachings.



Recognizing the Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Doubts


There is a clear distinction in Scripture between legitimate questions that lead to greater understanding and harmful doubts that erode faith. Proverbs 14:15 cautions us against gullibility, stating, "The inexperienced person puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps." This verse highlights the importance of discernment. A healthy form of doubt leads to testing and confirming what we are taught, ensuring that our faith is founded on truth.


On the other hand, harmful doubts resemble the uncertainty that Satan introduced into Eve’s mind. They are characterized by an "uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making." Such doubts do not seek understanding; rather, they create confusion and can destroy trust. This is why the apostle Paul encouraged Christians to "test everything" and to "hold fast to what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). When we engage in thoughtful examination of our beliefs, motivated by a sincere desire to align ourselves with Jehovah’s will, we become stronger in faith.



The Dangers of Spiritual Malnutrition


Spiritual starvation is a major contributor to doubt. Just as malnutrition weakens the physical body, a lack of spiritual nourishment weakens faith. Hebrews 5:12 warns of this condition: "Although you ought to be teachers in view of the time, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God." This verse underscores the necessity of continual growth and study in the faith, lest we regress and become vulnerable to the damaging effects of doubt.


Neglecting personal study, prayer, and regular fellowship with fellow believers leads to spiritual weakness. Over time, this weakens our ability to resist the deceptive philosophies and teachings of Satan. Paul warned Timothy that "in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). Therefore, regular spiritual feeding is essential to maintaining and strengthening our faith.



Guarding Against Unfounded Doubts


Unfounded doubts often arise when we lose sight of Jehovah’s promises and allow worldly philosophies to cloud our thinking. These doubts may take the form of questions like, "Are we really living in the last days?" or "Can you believe everything the Bible says?" Satan loves to use such doubts to weaken the faith of Christians. However, Jehovah’s Word provides all the assurance we need to stand firm. In Colossians 2:4-7, Paul urges believers not to be "deluded by persuasive arguments" but to remain firmly rooted in Christ and "built up in him and established in the faith."


To counter these doubts, we must actively engage in personal Bible study and participate in the community of faith that Jehovah has provided. The early Christians set an example for us by remaining devoted to "the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship" (Acts 2:42). In doing so, they strengthened their faith and resisted the pressures of the world.



Personal Responsibility for Spiritual Health


While Jehovah provides ample resources for our spiritual nourishment, each of us bears responsibility for our spiritual health. Personal study, prayer, and participation in Christian meetings are essential to maintaining a strong and vibrant faith. Jesus emphasized the importance of continual reliance on Jehovah’s Word, declaring, "Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth" (Matthew 4:4). This spiritual feeding is necessary for us to grow in faith and resist the destructive influence of doubt.


Those who fail to feed on Jehovah’s Word place themselves in grave spiritual danger. Proverbs 19:24 warns of those who "put their hand into the bowl but do not even bring it back to their mouth," illustrating the tragic irony of having spiritual nourishment readily available but neglecting to partake of it. Spiritual laziness leads to spiritual starvation, which makes us more susceptible to doubts and deception.



Faith: The Antidote to Doubt


The example of Abraham is a powerful testimony to the strength that faith provides in overcoming doubt. Despite his advanced age and the seeming impossibility of Jehovah’s promise, Abraham "did not grow weak in faith" and "did not waver in a lack of faith" (Romans 4:19-20). His unwavering trust in Jehovah’s promise serves as a model for all Christians.


Faith is not merely a passive belief in God’s promises; it is an active, living trust that sustains us through trials and challenges. As Hebrews 11:1 defines it, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This conviction must be nurtured through regular study of the Scriptures, prayer, and fellowship with fellow believers. By continually strengthening our faith, we protect ourselves against the insidious doubts that Satan seeks to plant in our hearts.



The Role of Christian Fellowship in Combatting Doubt


Christian meetings and fellowship are essential components of our spiritual nourishment. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." Regular association with fellow believers provides encouragement, strengthens our faith, and helps to protect us from the doubts that can arise from isolation.


The early Christian community exemplified this principle. Acts 2:42 describes how they "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This communal devotion to spiritual growth ensured that they remained steadfast in their faith, even in the face of persecution and trials.



Conclusion: Remaining Strong in the Faith


Doubt is a tool that Satan uses to weaken our faith and disrupt our relationship with Jehovah. However, by regularly feeding on Jehovah’s Word, engaging in personal Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, we can guard against the insidious doubts that threaten our faith. Jehovah has provided all the resources we need to remain "healthy in faith" (Titus 2:2) and to continue growing in our knowledge and trust in Him.


Let us follow the example of Abraham, who "did not waver in a lack of faith" (Romans 4:20), and remain steadfast in our trust in Jehovah’s promises. By doing so, we will protect ourselves from the destructive influence of doubt and continue to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7), confidently looking forward to the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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