“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6).
James goes on to portray doubt as double-mindedness (v 8); it’s like trying to serve two masters: you seek God’s guidance—and yet you reserve the right to decide if you want to follow his lead or not. This stance reveals confusion about who’s in charge.
The doubt problem isn’t just that sometimes we wonder what God is up to—we all wonder and have questions. James isn’t commanding us to practice mind-control to make sure no mental challenge to God ever enters our brains: “Oh no, for a split second I wondered if it’s all true—now I’m done for!” That’s not it.
The “doubt” James pictures involves being unmoored—and as a result, being tossed and blown between one allegiance and another. The remedy for this spiritual condition is “faith”: “ask in faith.” In other words, approach God in a posture of humble, hopeful trust, and be ready to follow his Word.
In fact, it’s common for believers to wrestle with doubts and hard questions. Growing in faith necessitates confronting the doubts that arise. Blithely accepting what we’re told by others without applying our minds to weigh the biblical evidence is not faith, it’s laziness and poor stewardship of our God-given intellectual abilities. Let’s all take a cue from the Bereans who searched the Scriptures to evaluate the message they heard (Acts 17:11).
Maybe you’re struggling with doubt—or maybe it’s a loved one. In response, don’t panic or be passive. Jesus was patient with doubters (e.g., John the Baptist, Thomas, Peter); as Jude 22 says, “Have mercy on those who doubt.” And yet, take doubt seriously: face those questions, turn to the Word, receive the counsel of mature believers, and be still: the Lord will show the way.
