What should I do if I am doubting Jesus?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Christianity is a religion of faith. The Christian life is a walk of continual faith. Even so, doubts are common among Christians. We sometimes doubt what we know to be true about Jesus. Doubt is not, in and of itself, a bad thing. Rather, doubt alerts us to something amiss and causes us to question and dig deeper. When we are doubting Jesus, there are a few things to do. We can read and meditate on God’s word, reflection on His mighty works, His love, and His faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 77:11-12; Romans 15:4). We should ask the Lord to help us through these doubts through prayer and by examining the reasons for them (Mark 9:14-29; James 1:5). Additionally, we should get together with mature believers who can help us understand what may be causing the doubts (Hebrews 10:24-25). Ultimately, it requires faith to believe in what God says, but our faith is based upon reliable and reasonable sources.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:13 say, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Doubt can be combatted with sincere searching and prayer, trusting God to reveal Himself.
• The Old Testament often calls God’s people to remember His mighty works and trust His covenant promises (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 77:11-12). Reflecting on God’s faithfulness can build confidence in His promises, including those fulfilled in Jesus.
• Many Old Testament figures, like Job and David, expressed deep doubts and confusion but brought them honestly before God (Psalm 13; Job 3). Doubting isn’t sin if it leads you closer to God rather than away.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• A father wanted Jesus’ help for his demon-possessed son, but he had doubts that Jesus could heal him. When Jesus told him to “believe,” the man cried, “I believe; help my unbelief!” The father wanted to believe, so He pleaded with Jesus (Mark 9:14-29). We can also ask the Lord to increase our faith.
• It may sound counterintuitive to pray to the One you doubt, but doubt can come from spiritual attack, sin, and hurt. Jesus is the only One who is fully sufficient in any of those cases. He can also give us wisdom (James 1:5).
• Hebrews 11:1 tells us to battle doubt with faith. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is the component in our relationship with God that dispels doubt.
• Spiritual attacks can cause us to doubt, in which case we should remind ourselves of the spiritual armor we have (Ephesians 6:10-18) and combat our doubts with the truth of God's Word, prayer, and submitting to God (James 4:7).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

When you find yourself doubting Jesus, remember that doubt can be a doorway to deeper faith rather than a barrier. Use this time to earnestly pray for clarity and wisdom, allowing God to guide you through honest self-examination and Scripture study. Be intentional about identifying what lies beneath your doubts—whether they stem from misinformation, emotional pain, or spiritual attack—and lean on God’s promises to renew your mind and strengthen your heart. Surround yourself with mature believers who can offer encouragement, share their own journeys through doubt, and pray alongside you.

Recognize that faith is ultimately a trust that grows as you experience God’s faithfulness in your life. You won’t always have all the answers, but God invites you to step forward in the small faith you have and watch Him work. Doubt does not disqualify you; it can refine your relationship with Jesus as you press into Him with humility and persistence. By embracing this process, you participate in the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who renews your understanding, deepens your trust, and leads you toward greater assurance in Christ.

UNDERSTAND

• Doubt itself is not necessarily sinful; what we do with our doubt can lead us to sin.
• Doubt can lead us to greater faith as we seek God and renew our trust in Him.
• The Bible encourages examining doubts through Scripture, prayer, and counsel from mature believers, trusting God to reveal Himself and strengthen faith.

REFLECT

• How do you respond to your doubts about Jesus, and what steps can you take to respond in a God-honoring way?
• How have your past experiences of God’s faithfulness helped you navigate moments of doubt, and how can you remind yourself of those during difficult times?
• What fears or misunderstandings might be underlying your doubts, and how can you honestly bring those before God and trusted believers for support?

ENGAGE

• In what ways can doubt be sinful and in what ways can it not?
• How can a community of believers support one another in times of doubt without judgment or pressure?
• How can doubt serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth rather than a barrier to faith?