Monday Memo 359: Doubt Power

Did you know that doubt is as powerful as faith?  I was writing my weekly Bible study the other day and I came to Matthew 21:21-22.  Jesus had just cursed a fig tree and it withered from the roots up.  The disciples asked how this could happen and Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Now how can I or anyone say that doubt has power?  Is that crazy, or what?  To find out, you will have to read on.

SINS OF OMISSION

It seems to me that God is always doing new and fresh things in my life and probably in yours.  Yet there is one thing that can stop God's work and that is doubt.  If faith can throw a mountain into the sea, then doubt can keep it where it is.  If faith can wither a fig tree, doubt can keep a leafy but fruitless tree fruitless.  If faith is active, doubt is also active, in a passive kind of way.  Doubt works to prevent you from acting, so it is indeed active -- it "works" to talk you out of something that is in your power to do, rendering you passive.

St. Thomas Aquinas taught about "sins of omission," not causing a good in your power to produce, which isn't the same as a sin of commission, which is taking up an active evil.  Many people are content because they do not commit acts of commission, while they live with acts of omission every day, usually caused by doubt.  They live in what I would call doubt power, when we are to live in faith power.

DOUBT POWER

Doubt power is, well, it's powerful.  It makes one so concerned about missing God that one can miss God.  It is so concerned about doing the wrong thing that it does no-thing.  Doubt is so consumed with what others will think that it damages one's decision-making capabilities.  I would say that doubt carries with it an equal and opposite force to that of faith. Would you agree?

This is not a debate about the philosophy of faith and doubt.  Jesus told us to exercise faith and not doubt.  Yet I look for the "balance" in what Jesus said, for surely He didn't mean that anything I ask for in faith I will receive -- or did He?  Where are the limits?  Where can I go wrong?  While I try to figure out those answers, I live with sins of omission every day, more worried about the sins I "may" commit instead of  good deeds that I could also "commit."

So what kind of power do you want to live in this week?  Do you want to exercise your doubt to keep things as they are, or faith to move forward and progress?  I know, I know. You knew a person who knew someone who one time lost everything because they acted in what they thought was faith.  I know, I know.  You once looked like a fool when you acted in faith and fell flat on your face.  Yet I would imagine you also know a person who knew someone who acted in faith and did something great.  I would also think that you did the same thing once, and it was grand.  You still talk about it all the time.

So why let doubt rob you of your faith success this week?  The choice is yours to live in doubt power or faith power.  I vote for faith, and I know you do, too.  Have a great week!

     Feel free to add your comments on the site where this entry is posted.

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CONTINUE THE RADIO SHOW?:  As I reported last week, I got my radio show numbers for June and they were great!  I had more than 5,000 listeners and almost 800 downloads!  I am happy with that, but now I am facing a decision. Do I renew my contract after August 13?  I will need $1300 per month to continue the show.  What do you think?  Should I renew?  You can let me know by posting a comment on the site where this entry is posted. 

Perhaps you, your organization, or your company could sponsor a show for $400?  I would be glad to design a show around your cause or work if you sponsor it.  Then you could download the show and use it for your own purposes.  This may also fit into your missions budget, since the show goes around the world.  Perhaps your organization would like to add your ad banner to my announcement page on the station, the same page that everyone who downloads any show sees. If I have the money raised by August 13, I will continue. If not, then I will have to shut it down.  It's your call.  What do you think?  Write and let me know.

Episode Twelve: A Lawyer Pastor

Purpose is an exciting journey, full of unexpected twists and turns.  It can lead some from ministry to the workaday world and others from a secular job to church work.  Join John as he interviews Pastor J.C. Matthews from Carrollton, Texas as they discuss Pastor Matthews’ careers and his most recent book, Your Situation is Not Your Destination. 

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Comments

[Sue]

Hi John, I have never considered this before! Frightening that doubt has power to keep me from hearing and acting as God intends. Thanks for the Monday Memo. Sometimes it is Tuesday when I read it, but I am blessed whenever I do. Blessings to you!

[Joe Sarria]

John, this is a good one! I think that it fits everyone.I believe that you are doing tremendous work and are inspiring many around the world. Your new website design is super.

Regards brother,

Joe Sarria