A Double Minded Man is Unstable in All His Ways
Introduction:
A. Turn in your bibles to James 1:6-8. This passage gives us the opportunity to ask the question: What does it mean to be double minded?
1. James 1:6-8 tells us that a doubter is one who is unstable in all his ways: Let’s read James 1:6-8, “………..”
2. The phrase double minded appears only one other time in the KJV. In James 4:8 it is used by James in showing the sinfulness of being double minded. Let’s read James 4:8
3. A man or woman that is double minded has two ways of thinking that essentially war with each other:
a. Turn and let’s read the warning that Christ gives in Matthew 6:24.
b. Turn to Philippians 2:2. Here, Paul is encouraging Christians to be single minded.
B. Faith and doubt are opposites.
1. Faith produces action: Turn and read Genesis 12:1-4; cf. Hebrews 11:8-10.
2. Turn to Matt. 14:22-31. Here we learn that doubt causes hesitation, indifference, and failure: Let’s read Matthew 14:22-31.
DISCUSSION
I. First, In Our Discussion We Want to Emphasize That Doubt Produces Instability!
A. Turn to 1 Kings 18:21. This is one of many passages that teach that being indecisive and unstable is not pleasing to the Lord:
1. Let’s read I Kings 18:21.
2. Turn and let’s read Ephesians 4:14. God doesn’t want instability in his Christians.
3. Turn to Revelation 3:15-16. Here, an entire congregation is rebuked because of their luke warmness and instability. Let’s read Rev. 3:15&16.
B. Consider some things that can affect us in our work as Christians if we doubt the Lord:
1. Turn to Matt. 7:7. This verse cause us to ask, if we doubt that God will provide, will we pray? Let’s read Matthew 7:7.
2. Turn to Luke 6:47-49. This passage causes us to ask, if we doubt the truthfullness of Christ’s word, will we obey? Let’s read Luke 6:47-49.
3. Turn to 2 Cor. 5:1-4. This passage causes us to ask, if we doubt the reward of Heaven, will we press forward to that prize? II Corinthians 5:1-4
4. Turn to Hebrews 4:12. This passage causes us to ask, if we doubt the power of the word of God, will we preach it to others? Let’s read Hebrews 4:12.
a. Turn and let’s read Romans 1:16.
b. Turn and let’s read Luke 8:15. This is the kind of heart that all Christians need to have. This shows faith and not doubt.
5. If we doubt the reality of death and judgment, how can we live for today? James 4:13-14
6. If we doubt the providence of God, will we cast our anxieties upon Him? I Peter 5:6-7
II. Secondly, Let’s Discuss Some Things That Produce Doubt in the Minds of Christians and Cause us to Question our Faith. As We Learn What Produces Doubt, Maybe We Will Learn to Avoid These Things.
A. Turn to Acts 13:6-12. Here, we will read that false doctrine causes doubt.
1. False teachers set the course to keep you from hearing truth. Let’s read Acts 13:6-12.
2. Turn to 2 Tim. 2:15-18. This passage teaches that false doctrine eats away at our soul, like cancer eats away at our body. Let’s read II Timothy 2:15-18.
3. These passages should warn to not listen in on false teachers on TV, the radio or from reading things that they write.
B. Turn to 1 Cor. 3:18-21. This passage teaches that human logic and biblical ignorance cause doubt.
1. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 3:18-21.
3. Turn to 2 Peter 3:16-18. Here, Peter warns Christians against those who would try to twist the meaning of some of Paul’s writings to teach contrary to what Paul intended to teach.
Christians are warned to not let those who use human logic to cause us to doubt the inspired writings of Paul. Let’s read 2 Peter 3:16-18.
C. Turn to Proverbs 2:6&7. This passages teaches that looking down and around instead of looking up, will cause us to be doubters.
1. We need to always look to God for knowledge. Let’s read Proverbs 2:6-7.
2. Turn to Colossians 3:1-3. This passage exhorts Christians to seek those things which are above and not things that are material. Let’s read Colossians 3:1-3.
III. Third, Let’s Discuss What We Can Do to Remove Doubt From our Minds?
A. Turn to James 1:6. This teaches that when our faith in God and Christ and what they teach us is the kind of faith that it ought to be then we will remove doubt from our minds. Let’s read James 1:6.
1. Turn to Rom. 10:17. This is one passage among many that teaches that the Christian’s faith develops in our life as we read, study and obey God’s word. Let’s read Romans 10:17.
2. Turn to Acts 20:32. Here, Paul teaches Christians that God’s word will build them up spiritually and prepare them for a home in heaven. Let’s read Acts 20:32.
3. Turn to 2 Timothy 3:14-15. Here, Paul is reminding Timothy that his having the faith that he had as an adult had its start when he was a child. His mother and his grandmother taught him when he was young. Adults must do the same with children today to help them to grow up and be strong in the faith and not doubters. Let’s read 2 Tim. 3:14,15.
B. Turn to Hebrews 10:22&23. This passage teaches that when our faith is what it should be we will draw nearer to God. Let’s read Hebrews 10:22-23.
1. Turn to Matt. 22:37. This verse teaches that when one’s faith is what it should be that one will have a fully focused heart, soul, and a committed mind that will show genuine love to God. Turn to Matthew 22:37.
2. Turn to Rom. 8:38&39. This passage reminds us that when our faith is as it should be that nothing will move us away from God. We will not be living in doubts. Let’s read Romans 8:38-39.
3. Turn to 2 Tim. 1:12. In this verse Paul gives himself as an example of having the kind of faith that one must have to be fully persuaded that God will help him make it to heaven. Let’s read 2 Timothy 1:12.
Conclusion:
1. Turn to Matt. 19:23-26.
2. In this passage make statements that teach us that doubt sees the obstacles and causes the questions. Let’s read Matthew 19:23-25.
3. In the next verse Jesus teaches that faith sees the way and trusts in God as the solution. Let’s read Matthew 19:26.
4. We pray that this lesson will help us all to have less doubts and at the same time have more faith in God and the commands that he gives us to obey.
5. If you need to obey and become a Christian or come to ask for prayers, don’t doubt the importance of coming.
6. Come now, as we stand and sing.
