23/01/2011 - BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR DOUBTS

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But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

When the disciples called the Lord Jesus’ attention to the fact that the fig tree that He had cursed had withered from the roots to the leaves (Matthew 21:20-21), He took the chance to teach the necessary steps that we must take to do God\’s work: have faith in God and do not doubt.

Jesus commanded us to have faith in God (Mark 11:22). This is the divine guidance for all our actions. Those who think they do not have faith enough should hear the preaching of the Word, because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). But what is faith? The Bible states that it \”is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen\” (Hebrews 11:1). Putting all your faith in the church or in the preacher is a mistake. Faith must be deposited only in the Lord.

Doubt, which is the opposite of faith, leads to the condemnation of whoever allows it to dwell in his heart. So make sure you are not harboring doubts inside of you because anything you do with doubts will condemn you, for instance: if you get married to someone without being sure whether it is part of God’s plan for you; if you set up a business of your own or start any enterprise without being sure about it. Once there is doubt in your heart, do not do it because it will you lead to defeat.

By warning us about this truth, God shows us the only way to obtain true accomplishments: to act by faith. One may ask what he should do to stop having doubts. King David said he had hidden the Word of God in the heart so as not to sin against the Lord (Psalm 119:11). Whoever does the same will soon realize that doubts no longer live in their heart!
 
If you want to have faith, pay heed to the Word of God through the preaching and reading of the Scriptures, then you will be able to hear the Lord and most definitely a certainty will emerge from inside of you. This is what faith is according to His Word. Then, without having any doubt, give the order determining that your blessing takes place in your life.

In any situation, take your problems to Him in prayer and wait for His direction, which will come through His Word. If the \”red light\” is lit, just stand still. If the green light blinks, then go ahead towards your purpose. The Lord will guide us in everything if only we let Him. Having prayed, do not decide for yourself anymore, let God guide you. With him you will be 100% successful.

The biblical text tells us further that everything that is not from faith is sin. So consider yourself warned and do not fall into the traps of the enemy any longer. If you are not sure, do not assume anything. Without faith, the best thing to do is to wait. Allow the Lord to reveal His will and His love and to give you His wise direction. In doing so, you will never be part of the group of condemned.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares