Is Doubting God a Sin? What Scripture Really Says

Is doubting God a sin? Does it mean you're a bad Christian—or that your faith isn’t real? If you’ve ever felt ashamed for wrestling with doubt, you’re not alone. Even John the Baptist—yes, the one who baptized Jesus—had questions. In this video, we’re going to talk about what the Bible really says about doubt, and why your uncertainty might not be as dangerous as you think… if you know what to do with it. Stay Tuned!

Have you ever wanted to believe God for something but found it so hard to find the faith? Everything around you looks like what you're believing for isn't going to happen. You want to trust God, but doubt is creeping in, leaving you wondering: Is He really who He says He is? And then you feel bad for wondering that at all. I think this isn't something that a lot of Christian women talk about, because we pride ourselves in being these great women of faith - prayer warriors who believe in God at all times. But if we're honest, we all struggle with doubt at some point. And if that is you, I want to encourage you today that you are not alone.

I always feel so silly after doubting God, because He eventually shows Himself faithful, as He is, but that doesn’t stop me from wrestling with doubt, and I guess that many of you can say the same. Has it ever happened to you where you question God? You wondered if He would come through. You didn't know how it was going to work out, and you worried and were anxious. And then it worked out, and you were like, "Oh yeah, God, you do that. How did I just forget again?" He has such a faithful track record of coming through for his people.

But God knows that we're human. He knows that we have a battlefield of doubt and anxiety and lies going on in our heads that we face every single day. So I want to encourage you today - if you're in a season of doubting God or if you've been in one and feel guilty about it - let's take a closer look at some scriptures that show how Jesus handles our doubts. Because the truth is, doubt does not disqualify us from God's love, grace, and faithfulness.

Doubt in the Dark

First, let's talk about when we experience doubt in the dark. This is where we trust God for something we can't see, or how it will work out. There's no evidence in sight that it will. Maybe you're asking him to do something that's never been done before - by you or in your family. Or you're praying for something, but you don't see a pathway to get there. Spiritually, you feel in the dark. You don't know how it will happen, so you question if God will make it happen at all.

We see this type of doubt in Matthew 11:2-6, with John the Baptist. John was a prophet who came before Jesus to announce Jesus' coming. They were actually cousins. John spent his entire ministry preparing the way for Jesus, announcing the coming of Jesus Christ. And Jesus comes. But there's a moment where John finds himself persecuted and in jail. You know how it is when you get by yourself and have time to just be in your head. John starts to doubt whether Jesus is the One he had been proclaiming all this time. So he sends word through his followers to go to Jesus and ask, "Are you the one?"

Now, what I want to note here is that Jesus didn't rebuke him. Jesus didn't say, "How dare you question me?" Jesus didn't talk badly about him. No, instead, Jesus lovingly sent a report of his miracles and healings as evidence that what John believed was true, so that he could be delivered from the doubt that was tormenting him in the dark.

And that's when doubt often shows up in our lives - in our darkest seasons. But Jesus comes with answers to give us light. He may not show us the entire path, but if we're careful to seek Him like John the Baptist did, instead of sinking further into darkness, lies, and doubt, we'll see reminders and evidence that God is who He says He is. So I want to encourage you that even the most faithful can wrestle with doubt, but Jesus does not respond to our doubt with shame. He responds with reassurance.

Doubt After Disappointment

Just as we face doubt in times of darkness, we also face doubt after disappointment. When things don't go our way, we question the character of God. We doubt his will. We doubt if he's really for us. The disciples were completely disappointed, discouraged, and dejected after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Their rabbi, their teacher, their friend, was violently murdered publicly and humiliated. They scattered, not knowing what to do, thinking this was the end. Thinking that everything they had put their hope and belief into was gone, with no hope in sight.

Imagine their delight when Jesus came back! When he rose from the dead and revealed himself to his disciples. We read in John 20:24-29 that Thomas the disciple missed Jesus' first appearance. So when the other disciples came to him and said, "Hey, Jesus is back!" - he doubted. He said he wouldn’t believe it until he saw Jesus himself, the scars on his hands, and put my hand in his side. 

Now, this is the trick of disappointment: we think we need to stay in the disappointment because it's going to protect us. I wonder if Thomas didn't want to get his hopes up because they had been crushed so much after the crucifixion. It was hard for him to believe after the weight of disappointment on his shoulders. And I think a lot of us can understand that. So Thomas refused to believe Jesus had resurrected until he saw Jesus for himself.

And again, Jesus doesn't respond with shame, guilt, or condemnation. He responds to himself. Jesus returns to show himself to Thomas and even invites Thomas to touch his scars to let him know, "It's me." Then Jesus tells Thomas to “stop doubting and believe.’ What we have to realize in our disappointment is that God doesn't fear our questions. He meets us with his presence, even in our disappointment. Jesus doesn't reject our doubts. He shows up personally to prove our doubts wrong.

The Danger of Staying in Doubt

Now, we know that Jesus helps us when we doubt in the dark. We know he helps us when we doubt in disappointing times. But in both scenarios - whether with John the Baptist or Thomas - they were both open to asking questions, to seeking Jesus, and a willingness to stay in a state of doubt. And that’s what we must be cautious of when it comes to doubt: staying in that place. James calls this person "double-minded." In James 1:6, it says, "The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." (ESV)

So let's be clear. This warning about doubt isn't about having questions. It's about choosing to consistently live in unbelief, to live in doubt without seeking truth. Because there are two types of doubt here. There is doubt that draws you to God to strengthen your faith. This is the type of doubt we see in John the Baptist and Thomas. John was willing to seek Jesus out. Thomas was willing to touch Jesus. This is the type of doubt that God answers.

Then there's a second type of doubt that pushes you away from God and weakens your faith. It’s a stubborn doubt grown from a hardened heart. It’s the type of doubt that tosses you around that James warns us about. But we want hearts that sincerely seek God even when we doubt, because it’s then we start a journey that takes us from doubtful to devoted, a journey that brings us to the throne of God to experience Him as faithful and safe to believe.

If you’re in a season of doubt, I want you to know this: God is not intimidated by your questions. He’s not angry, distant, or disappointed. Instead, He meets us—just like He met John and Thomas—with grace, truth, and love. So don’t run from God in your doubt. Run to Him. That’s where faith grows. And if you’re looking for a space to deepen your faith and stay encouraged in every season, I want to invite you to download the Beloved Women app available now in the Apple and Google Play stores. You’ll find Bible studies, guided prayers, and encouraging videos to remind you of who God is and who you are in Him—even on the hard days. Thank you so much for watching today’s video, and until next time, be beautiful, be blessed, and be loved.