Drafts Of Doubt

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:13-15

One of the most advertised home improvements is windows. There are many varieties and styles to choose from, but all in all they do one thing...keep the heat in your house by keeping the cold air out. We find that as we move once again into the winter season that cold temperatures and gusts of cold air can penetrate our living spaces and make for uncomfortable quarters. Mainly when we think of drafty winds that blow, we think of old houses. You may imagine an old house that has seen better days having so many cracks and crevices in it that the cold air seems to be felt everywhere. These faulty places where the cold air leaks in are usually the result of either a poor fit in the window or door joints at the time of construction, or, an erosion of wood and materials that time has taken its toll. Either way the result is the same.

I would like to share with you this week both of these scenarios as it relates to our walk and belief in and with Jesus Christ. You see, doubt is that cold penetrating wind that howls in fury hoping to discomfort the believer. Our faith, though once strong, may flicker and wane causing gap holes to where fear and doubt creep in and disrupt the soul.

The first example of the invasion of doubt is a poorly constructed knowledge of God and His Word. If we are to combat issues of spiritual doubt about salvation, the reality of God, eternity, the Trinity etc. then we have to construct a solid, secure, fortress about us. Notice that no man or woman by their own intellectual pursuit of God can withstand any onslaught. Yet if we have no weapons to fight with and defend ourselves, we are no better off. When you see a new house being built or renovations being done you can see a lot of what we are talking about here. When a worker is installing frame work that is not squared up or is slightly larger than the window or door to go in that space, the gap created is just like having a gaping hole in a wall. Without the proper sealant, all sorts of cold air and other invaders will pass through it. If you do not know the Truth about the sufficient of atonement of Christ, for example, then you will open yourself up for a multitude of attacks questioning every day whether or not you're going to Heaven. Ignorance of God's Word is the doubtful crack Satan most often desires to use. For if we do not know what God says, then what Satan says may seem to us as plausible since we have no standard to gauge it against. It is imperative for a new believer to get involved in a Bible study group or class that will help him or her to learn not only who God is, but what He says. But the unfortunate thinking of many converts to Christ is that "I am saved, I have my eternity secure, why go any deeper?" This is like building a house and saying, "well the door covers most of the opening, that's good enough." Well of course you would never buy a house where everything just sort of fit together, so why then would we want to just sort of have Spiritual knowledge in place?

Too often, Christian ministries put greater emphasis on the prosperity and feel good theology that comes with an underlying political correct awareness. There is nothing wrong with encouraging the saints, in fact we are commanded to do so in Romans 14:19. However if you do not tell a child a stove burner is hot, you do them a greater disservice by not imparting valuable knowledge that could reverse or never have allowed a tragic burn. Mankind in general does not want to hear the things of the Bible that does not make them feel OK. We have to provide all the story not just parts. And its the parts here and there that do not give all the truth which leads to an ill equipped, poorly constructed believer to wallow about in a tragedy with an ignorant understanding.

Satan finds such a one who has a poorly constructed knowledge of God and exploits every crack and vulnerable spot, introducing ideas such as: "if God really loved you, why would He let this happen." or, "If you were really a believer, you wouldn't get upset so often." or, "Did God really mean what He said was for you, or for someone else." The list is endless. How valuable it is to have a good construction of the Word in place when those attacks come.

The second way drafts of doubt creep in is a spiritual mindset that was once very strong, but now has drifted away from God and has lost fellowship caused by spiritual erosion. It is important to note that losing fellowship does not mean losing salvation. Simply it means to walk away from God and thereby not having the quality of a close relationship that once was enjoyed. So many Christians today are "used to be's." This is not too sound critical because it is a trap that any of can and perhaps will fall into for a period of time. Christians that used to be strong, used to go to church every service, used to be involved, etc. Resting on our laurels of what we have done quickly fades when new challenges approach us. Such folks get very comfortable and apathetic. Church attendance, reading God's Word, keeping up Bible devotions and study once strong has now receded for some other attraction. Sometimes we point fingers at older people who have retired or spend more time in recreation, but the truth is that most of the decline can come in the early years of life. The real danger of erosion comes noticeably in our lives, but it really shows up in the lives of the children you have. Casual Bible knowledge, casual importance on church attendance and activities, lack of family devotions and parental examples of godliness all hits home in their lives too.

Just like a house that sits empty an unattended, so to does a heart that has little to do with Christ. A house will begin to crack, settle, paint peel, weeds grow up, etc and a person never notices it because it happens so gradually. Gradual erosion of the heart starts with a decision to give place to some other interesting option. Drafts of doubt settle in and cause us to really begin to ponder whether or not that philosopher has it right. Doubt seeps in cracks that make us wonder really whether or not all that we have believed about the Bible and Christianity is really true. Doubt finds its way in places that were so strong in faith, but no more.

Draftiness is cold, uncomfortable, and chilling. Drafts robs us of heat by drawing it out and replacing it with cold philosophies, worldly ideas, hopeless pursuits, etc. All this is geared towards taking our minds and hearts off Christ for something less and thereby making tragic choices that can cost us for the rest of our lives.

Are there drafts of doubt or some other influence invading your heart for Christ? You need to check, even if you don't think you would be a victim. We can never be too sure and when we are overconfident, we are in need at least of watching cautiously.

Father, help us today not to become too comfortable with our relationship with You. Rather Lord help us to be on the look out for cracks and erosions that cause us to doubt You and Your Word. Forgive us for our failings and put within us a fresh desire to know You better and serve You with our hearts and lives. Guard our hearts and help our minds to be stayed on You. Thank you for your grace and help towards us. In Your Name, Amen.