When we have doubts about anything, we are in a state of uncertainty because we do not know if the thing is true or not. This mindset is referred to in the Bible as "dual-mindedness" (James 1:6–8). Due to double-minded thinking, a person's opinions are always changing, and they never reach a firm conviction. A mind that continuously doubts Jesus and what He teaches will never be at peace because it is tossed to and fro like a ship in the middle of a storm with no possibility of rest.
Doubting Jesus and having faith are diametrically opposed. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen," says Hebrews 11:1. Christians who have a strong faith have "confidence" and "conviction." They are certain of the object of faith despite the fact that they have not seen the evidence with their own eyes.
To inherit the kingdom of heaven, all believers must become "like children," according to Jesus (Matthew 18:3). Childlike faith differs from doubting faith in that children are trusting and willing to receive anything they ask for without hesitation or fear. When a parent makes a promise, a child is bound to trust it. He is unconcerned about whether or not his parent will follow through (unless the parent has made a habit of deceit or unreliability). Even when their parents tell them fairy stories like the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny, how easily a child believes! Perhaps the child's faith stems from a desire to believe in such marvellous things, but it is more likely that he trusts the parent. When a youngster goes to sleep, he does not worry, stress, or get nervous about what the day may bring; his slumber is restful and deep. Jesus desires that we trust Him with the innocence of a child and the scepticism of an adult.
So, how does a Christian grow in faith and quit doubting Jesus? First and foremost, remembering that God is our Heavenly Father (John 1:12; Romans 8:15). God desires to be known among His children as a loving, compassionate, ever-present, and unwavering parent (1 John 3:1). Several times in the Bible, believers are referred to as God's "sons" (also meaning "daughters") (e.g., Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:7). If Christians understand they are God's children, having been adopted into His family, it should help them develop the childlike faith Jesus talked of. Our Heavenly Father desires to "give good things to those who ask!" 7:11 (Matthew) The most important thing to understand about God as Father is that He is perfect, with none of the sinful flaws that come with human parenthood. All of God's characteristics are faultless, and He disciplines His children because He loves them (Hebrews 12:6–8).
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