Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8726 doubters

Scripture provides examples of believers who express temporary doubts--in particular about the willingness and power of God to deliver his people, the nature of his purpose, and their own place within the divine plan.

Examples of those doubting their effectiveness to serve God

Moses

Exodus 3:11 See also Exodus 4:1,10-13; Exodus 6:12,30; Numbers 11:13-15

Gideon

Judges 6:15 See also Judges 6:17,36-40

Elijah

1 Kings 19:3-4 See also 1 Kings 19:10,14

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:6 See also Jeremiah 15:10

Those temporarily doubting God's promises

Genesis 15:8 See also Genesis 17:17-18; Genesis 18:12-15; Luke 1:18

Those doubting God's power

Abraham and Isaac doubt God's protection

Genesis 12:12-13 Fearing for his safety, Abraham resorts to deception. See also Genesis 20:2; Genesis 26:7

Moses and Israel in the desert

Exodus 5:22-23 See also Exodus 14:10-11 The Israelites doubt God's protection at the Red Sea; Numbers 11:21-22 Moses doubts God's provision of food; Numbers 13:31-33 The ten spies doubt God's power to give victory in Canaan; Numbers 20:7-12 Moses strikes the rock twice.

Others doubting God's deliverance

1 Samuel 17:11 The people of Israel are dismayed by the challenge from Goliath; Isaiah 7:2 King Ahaz, afraid of the coalition of Syria and Israel turns to Assyria for help; Matthew 14:29-31 Peter, walking on water, is afraid and begins to sink; Acts 12:14-15 The early church does not believe that God has released Peter from prison.

Believers questioning God

Questioning God's actions

Judges 6:13 See also Numbers 11:10-12; Numbers 14:3; Joshua 7:7-8

Questioning God's commands

1 Samuel 16:2 Samuel; 2 Kings 4:42-43 Elisha's servant; Isaiah 7:12 Ahaz

Jesus Christ's disciples:

Mark 6:37 pp Matthew 14:16-17 pp Luke 9:13 John 11:39 Martha; Acts 9:13-14 Ananias

Believers with doubts about Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:2-3 pp Luke 7:18-19 John 20:25 See also Matthew 28:17; Mark 16:11-14; Luke 24:25

See also

6257  unbelievers
8721  doubt
8834  unbelief