So much of our lives is consumed with doubt. For most of us there is a constant ‘what if’ at the back of our minds and if we’re not careful; doubt can take control keeping us trapped in a world of anxiety and confusion.
But God didn’t create us to live in a world of doubt. So He gave us very clear guidelines on how to live.
In fact He wrote an entire book of guidelines on how to live. Sometimes the guidelines are a little vague [and we nitpick about what it should or shouldn’t be], but if we read with intention, we’ll find all the answers to life’s big debates.
One of the most significant things I’ve learnt about the Word of God is that it is written with conviction - and so it should be read with conviction.
The opposite of conviction is doubt. And it is so easy to get caught up in doubt.
In fact, as proof of how easy it is to doubt, one of the first people written about in the Bible had a moment of doubt at the beginning of God’s story.
Genesis 3:1 NIV
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
It only takes four words to create doubt in our hearts, ‘did God really say?’
Doubt says, I don’t know what God says, so I’ll give it a go
Conviction says, because God said, so I choose
There is no questioning God when we are convicted by what we believe because it is written in His Word.
A mature Christian can be described as someone who immediately responds to God. And I totally agree.
Mature Christians are confident in their conviction because the question may change but the principle stays the same.
Conviction happens before a decision needs to take place.
Do you know what you believe before you’re asked the question?
I am convicted about what God says about grace. Because God said I am saved by grace, through faith, so I choose faith - and equally extend grace.
I am convicted about what God says about marriage. Because God said that marriage is a daily representation of the gospel [submission, grace & intimacy] so I choose to live out the marriage that God wants for my life - always, in every circumstance.
I am convicted about what God says about sexuality. Because God said that sexual intimacy is reserved for one man and one woman who have made a lifelong covenant with Him, so I choose to be sexually pure.
I am convicted about what God says about money. Because God said that 10% of what I earn should be given to my local church, so I choose to live with 90%.
I am convicted about what God says about love. Because God said that I should love everyone as much as I love myself, so I choose to learn to love myself more, so I can love others better.
Because God said, so I choose.
When you feel pulled in two directions, doubtful and unsure of which decision to make. Ask yourself, what did God say? So what do I choose?
If we truly have a relationship with Jesus, we will choose God’s way, every time.
What will you choose?
JCS
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