The Slippery Slope to Skepticism

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”—John 20:27 (NASB)

For Insight

It’s one thing to have moments of doubt when faced with things that are bigger or challenges our spiritual capacity—we all have that from time to time—and quite another to be a skeptic. That’s what Jesus was warning Thomas about.

Even before this incident Thomas had tendencies of being a skeptic. Maybe like so many of us Thomas was skeptical by nature. We can almost hear Jesus saying to Thomas, it’s one thing to experience a moment of wavering between conclusions, but don’t become a skeptic like so many in the world who refuse to open heart or mind and believe the evidence of what’s in front of them. In the end, they will miss their blessing from the Lord.

Though doubt and skepticism are closely related. Doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision; wavering between conclusions, but skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

Doubt is nothing more than our carnal nature longing for proof. Thomas had said, “If I see it I will believe it, but not until then.” The need to see, touch, and understand with human wisdom and eyes is strong and not easily satisfied, but Jesus challenges us to have faith. the kind of faith that comes by drawing on what we already know about him, have already seen him do and experienced firsthand, and to be open to believing what’s impossible for humans is entirely possible for God. when we let it, doubt can serve purposes for good as long as it doesn’t turn into the cement of skepticism.   

Its said that doubt isn’t wrong if it leads us to search for the truth and in matters of faith doubt becomes a catalyst for spiritual growth. That’s what happened to Thomas and that can be our experience also.

Lord, let my moments of doubt turn into experiences of growth. Amen

For Application:

Think of when doubt has led you to search for the truth. What was the outcome?

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