Doubt is something many Christians struggle with at some point in their faith journey. Even some of the heroes of the Bible experienced doubt from time to time. Here are some key Bible passages that provide wisdom and encouragement related to dealing with doubt:
Psalm 73:1-28
This Psalm describes the psalmist wrestling with doubt and envy over the prosperity of the wicked, before being reminded in the sanctuary of their ultimate destiny and finding his strength and purpose again in God. Key verses include:
“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:2-3)
“When I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” (Psalm 73:16-17)
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26)
Mark 9:14-29
This passage describes a man who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples for healing, but they were unsuccessful. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and heals the boy. Afterwards the disciples ask why they couldn’t cast out the demon. Jesus replies: “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29). This shows that even Jesus’ closest followers sometimes struggled with having enough faith and power to work miracles, but Jesus encourages them that through prayer their faith can be strengthened.
Matthew 14:22-33
This passage describes the famous story of Peter trying to walk on water out to Jesus, before doubt and fear cause him to begin sinking. As he cries out to Jesus, Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him. After Jesus gets into the boat, Matthew records that those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:33). Even when our faith wavers, Jesus is faithful to catch us and remind us of his divinity when we call out to him.
John 20:24-29
This passage describes “doubting Thomas” who refused to believe Jesus had risen from the dead until he could see and touch the scars of the crucifixion. When Jesus appears to Thomas and invites him to touch his wounds, Thomas responds in belief, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus responds: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29). For those who struggle with doubt over the resurrection, Thomas’ story provides hope that seeing leads to believing.
Mark 9:24
When Jesus tells a man that all things are possible for one who believes, the man exclaims, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This short but poignant cry acknowledges the reality of doubt even in the midst of exercising faith, and the man asks Jesus to help overcome his unbelief. Jesus rewards his honesty and goes on to heal his son.
James 1:5-8
James 1 reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God for it and he will generously provide what we need. But it warns that those who doubt when they ask will be like a wave of the sea – unstable and constantly changing. True faith persists through the ups and downs of life and emotion. James encourages believers to ask God for wisdom to walk through seasons of doubt.
1 Kings 19:1-18
After a great spiritual victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah ends up fleeing in fear from Jezebel’s threats, isolating himself and asking God to take his life because he felt so alone. But God ministered to Elijah in quiet, gentle ways – with food and rest and a soft voice. Even great heroes of the faith could suffer from depression and doubt after the highs of spiritual victory. God met Elijah in his time of need and ministered gently to him, providing perspective, guidance and reassurance of his presence.
John 20:25
When Thomas refused to believe Jesus had risen from the dead without physical proof, he stated: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25). This verse acknowledges that some people need or desire physical evidence and proof before they can overcome doubt and believe. Jesus honors Thomas’ request for proof by appearing to him and allowing him to touch his wounds, leading to Thomas’ declaration of belief (John 20:28).
Matthew 21:18-22
After Jesus curses the barren fig tree and causes it to wither, he teaches his disciples the power of faith and prayer, telling them: “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:21-22). While doubt can limit our power in prayer, Jesus affirms that faith – even a small amount – can move mountains when combined with God’s power.
Matthew 14:30-31
When Peter began sinking after walking on water, Jesus caught him and said: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). This verse provides perspective that even when faith falters in the midst of adversity, Jesus is near to catch us. It also highlights the connection between little faith and the presence of doubt in our hearts and minds.
Mark 11:22-24
In his teaching about the fig tree, Jesus told the disciples: “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24). This passage emphasizes the importance of believing without doubt that God will fulfill His promises to us when we pray according to His will.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). This famous verse defines biblical faith in contrast to doubt. While doubt lacks assurance and conviction, faith believes without requiring proof from our natural senses. Hebrews 11 goes on to illustrate faith through the examples of Old Testament saints.
Jude 1:22
Jude encourages believers: “And have mercy on those who doubt.” (Jude 1:22). Rather than judging those who struggle with doubt, this verse urges compassion and mercy. Gently and lovingly walking alongside a fellow Christian who expresses doubt provides them support during their time of need.
Doubt is a common human experience, even for great heroes of the faith. These passages remind us God understands our struggles with doubt and wants to respond with mercy, wisdom, reassurance and guidance. Drawing close to Jesus through prayer and Scripture is the antidote to seasons of doubt, helping renew our faith and trust in God’s truth.
Genesis 15:1-6
When God promises a childless Abram that he would have countless descendants, Abram expresses doubt: “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless?” (Genesis 15:2). But God graciously reassures Abram by bringing him outside and promising his offspring would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). Abram’s faith grew through his honest sharing of doubt and God’s reassuring response: “He believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
Matthew 28:16-17
After Jesus’ resurrection, Matthew records that when the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated, “when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted” (Matthew 28:16-17). Even among Jesus’ closest followers who saw Him resurrected, doubt lingered for some. But Jesus did not condemn them for their doubt, but commissioned them to spread the gospel, promising to be with them to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).
Mark 16:9-14
Mark’s account of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection acknowledges doubt even among those who saw Jesus in the flesh. “He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen” (Mark 16:14). Jesus rebuked the remaining doubt they harbored, but continued to minister to them in their unbelief.
John 7:5
“For not even his brothers believed in him.” (John 7:5). This short verse acknowledges that even Jesus’ own family, including James who would become a church leader, did not believe he was the Messiah during his earthly ministry. Those closest to Jesus did not automatically believe, but had to wrestle through doubt like anyone else.
Matthew 21:20-21
After Jesus curses the fig tree, causing it to wither, the disciples ask how he did it. Jesus replies: “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. If you have faith and do not doubt…” Faith and doubt are directly contrasted, showing how destructive doubt can be to the miraculous working power of God.
Romans 4:18-22
Speaking of Abraham, Paul writes: “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:20-21). Abraham serves as an example of one who did not waver in unbelief, even when circumstances seemed impossible. His unwavering faith was key to receiving God’s promises.
Acts 2:22-24
In his sermon at Pentecost, Peter testifies: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst…you crucified and killed [him]… But God raised him up” (Acts 2:22-24). Peter bears witness to the miracles they saw with their own eyes, to overcome their doubt in the resurrection.
These passages reveal biblical truth about doubt: it is a common human struggle, even for great heroes of faith; God responds with patience, mercy and reassurance, not condemnation; speaking doubt openly with God can strengthen faith; drawing close to Jesus overcomes doubt; physical proofs are sometimes given to help overcome doubt; and unwavering faith pleases God.
Luke 24:36-43
When Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection, they were frightened, thinking he was a ghost. But he invited them to touch him, saying “a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” To further prove he was not just a spirit, he ate fish with them. Jesus provided tangible, physical proofs to help overcome their doubt and unbelief that he had bodily risen from the dead.
Exodus 3 and 4
When God first appears to Moses in the burning bush and calls him to lead Israel out of Egypt, Moses expresses doubt that either Pharaoh or the Israelites would listen to him. But God gives him signs – the staff turning to a serpent and his hand becoming leprous then restored – to confirm God’s power and presence with him. God shows patience and grace with Moses’ initial doubt and equips him to grow in faith for the task ahead.
Following are some additional key Bible verses on doubt for further study and encouragement:
Psalm 22:1 – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”
Isaiah 40:27 – “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Psalm 13:1-2 – “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?”
Matthew 6:30 – “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
Mark 4:40 – “He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Luke 12:28-29 – “But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
2 Timothy 2:13 – “If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”
Psalm 27:13-14 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”