The Time I Almost Gave Up

I came across this video yesterday evening. It really gave me a lot to think about.

Jerry Bridges, a man God has used to further His Kingdom, almost gave up on God?

Jerry Bridges, one of the most prominent spiritual giants/theologians of today, almost let doubt (brought on by Satan) cause him to lose his faith?

It shocked me.

Then, after some thought, I realized that it shouldn't shock me when a fellow Christian - well-known theologian or not - admits struggling with doubt at some point in their life. It's part of the natural, or the "old man" that still likes to hang around after we accept Christ. Satan loves to use this "old man" to try to tear us away from our faith.

Some of us struggle more with doubt than others. It has to do with our God-given personality, our life experiences, our own unique viewpoints.

How, then, are we to fight doubt? How are we to fight Satan's blistering attacks on our relationship with God?

We fight it with truth.

This means immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, digging deep to find the truth found in its pages.

This means surrounding ourselves with people who want to know God's truth.

This means becoming part of a church that is committed to teaching the truths found in God's Word.

This means trusting what God says over what man has to say whenever there is a discrepancy or contradiction between the two. Remember that your "favorite" pastors and theologians can be wrong.

There is nothing wrong with seeking advice from your pastor or a spiritually mature Christian about a spiritual/biblical issue or question. Just remember that person you're seeking advice from is human, too, and is subsequently prone to error - unintentional or not.

Not sure what to think about a particular issue? Confused about a spiritual problem/question you have? Don't take [insert your pastor's name here]'s word for it. Take God's Word for it.

You may be seriously considering giving up on God. Let me ask you to resist the temptation to give in to doubt. Seek godly counsel (with a grain of salt). Most importantly, pore over Scripture to find the answers you seek. Ask God to help you find the answers you need in His Word. He'll do it. You just have to ask.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

John 8:31-32 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

II Timothy 3:16-17 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Hebrews 11:1  

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

I John 4:1-6 

“I believe that in the end the truth will conquer.” 

John Wycliffe