The Remedy for Doubt

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 21, 1904

The Remedy for Doubt

WE are living in an age of unbelief, and religious leaders, in many cases, strengthen the unbelief. When they are asked how the Bible can be reconciled with the theory of evolution, it is noticeable that they begin to explain away the Bible, not the theory of evolution. It is not to be wondered at that an inquirer writes thus to a religious paper:—

“I am a sincere Christian, and want to remain one. But my doubts are becoming numerous, and to me terrible. Reading apologies for the Christian religion seems to intensify and not to quiet these misgivings.”

The first point, for those who have doubts, is to be sure that one is making a right use of that truth which he does believe. Truth is not given to us to be a mental plaything. God's truth is life, and it demands expression in the life. If it is kept unused, it will become corrupt, and then the holder has doubt, not truth. If the truth is lived, it will bring more truth. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17.

Most men have all the truth they are willing to make use of. If a man eats good food, but does not exert his strength, he becomes a dyspeptic. The good food becomes fermented and poisonous in his body. The remedy is work. Here is a lesson for spiritual dyspeptics. If they will go to work, they will cease to find doubt and poison in the truth which nourishes others. Instead of being unable to assimilate truth, they will demand more, and thrive on it.

So, if you are troubled with unbelief, leave both truth and doubt alone for a time, find out what little you do believe, and then ask yourself if you are living up to that little. It may be only a belief in simple honesty and kindness. Whatever it is, carry it out in your life completely. Further developments may be left to look after themselves. You will soon find out that any fault is not in truth but in yourself, and having learned how weak and untrustworthy you yourself are, you will be glad of a truth that will help you to more life of the right kind. The reason why this is an age of unbelief is because there is so little honest obedience to truth. Men naturally want to get rid of that which condemns them, and unbelief is their flimsy excuse for their own weakness. How much better to confess that the fault is in self, and believe on him that justifieth the ungodly. Rom. 4: 5.—Present Truth.