OVERCOMING DOUBT AND WALKING IN FAITH By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: Matthew 17:20 - "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"
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INTRODUCTION
Doubt is one of the greatest hindrances to a victorious Christian life. It is a tool that the enemy uses to derail believers from walking in faith and fulfilling God’s divine purpose. Many times, people find themselves questioning God’s promises, feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, and struggling to trust Him completely. However, God calls His people to rise above doubt, to walk in faith, and to claim the authority that has been given through Jesus Christ.
The battle between faith and doubt has existed since the beginning of time. In the Garden of Eden, Satan used doubt to deceive Eve into questioning God's word (Genesis 3:1). Since then, doubt has been a weapon used by the enemy to shake the faith of God’s people. But Jesus assures us that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. The question is: How can believers overcome doubt and walk steadfastly in faith?
This teaching will explore the nature of doubt, its dangers, and how to overcome it through unwavering faith in God.
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THE DANGERS OF DOUBT
James 1:6-7 - "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."
Doubt is a destructive force that leads to instability in the life of a believer. It prevents people from receiving God’s promises and weakens their spiritual foundation. When someone is consumed by doubt, they become indecisive, fearful, and vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy.
Doubt opens doors to fear, anxiety, and spiritual stagnation. It makes people question God's love, His power, and His ability to fulfill His promises. Just like the Israelites who doubted God's ability to lead them into the Promised Land (Numbers 13:31-33), doubt can cause us to miss out on God's best for our lives.
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FAITH IS THE KEY TO OVERCOMING DOUBT
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Faith is the antidote to doubt. It is the confident assurance that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He has promised. Faith is not based on emotions or circumstances but on the unwavering truth of God's word.
Jesus constantly emphasized the power of faith. He taught that even a small amount of faith could move mountains. When Peter walked on water, he began to sink the moment he doubted (Matthew 14:29-31). This demonstrates that as long as our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we can overcome any obstacle.
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REJECTING THE VOICE OF DOUBT
2 Corinthians 10:5 - "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Doubt often comes through the whispers of the enemy, who seeks to plant negative thoughts in our minds. The devil wants us to question God’s goodness, His power, and His faithfulness. To overcome doubt, we must actively reject these thoughts and replace them with the truth of God’s Word.
Every time doubt tries to creep in, we must counter it with scripture. Jesus Himself used scripture to defeat Satan during His time of temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). As believers, we must guard our hearts and minds by meditating on God’s promises and declaring them over our lives.
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WALKING IN AUTHORITY OVER DOUBT
Luke 10:19 - "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Through Jesus Christ, believers have been given authority over every power of darkness, including the spirit of doubt. The devil wants us to feel powerless, but in Christ, we have dominion over every tactic of the enemy.
To walk in authority, we must:
• Speak God's word boldly.
• Pray with confidence.
• Live in obedience to God.
• Stay connected to the Holy Spirit.
The more we exercise our faith, the stronger it becomes, and doubt will lose its grip over our lives.
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SUMMARY
Doubt is a destructive force that can hinder believers from fulfilling their God-given purpose. However, through faith, we can overcome doubt and walk in the authority that Christ has given us. By rejecting the voice of the enemy, standing firm in God’s word, and exercising our spiritual authority, we can live victoriously.
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CONCLUSION
God has called us to be people of faith, not of doubt. As we grow in our trust in Him, we will see His power at work in our lives. Doubt may come, but it does not have to stay. We must continuously choose faith over fear and trust over uncertainty.
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THE CALL TO ACTION
If you have been struggling with doubt, make a decision today to trust God completely. Meditate on His Word, surround yourself with strong believers, and declare His promises over your life. Choose to walk in faith, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill all that He has spoken.
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FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Be encouraged! God is with you, and He is greater than any doubt or fear you may face. Trust Him, walk in faith, and you will see His mighty hand at work in your life.
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SALVATION PRAYER
If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You today, acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of Your grace. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again on the third day. I repent of my sins and ask You to forgive me. I invite Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to live a life that pleases You. Thank You for saving me and making me Your child. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
