Put Your Doubts to the Test

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

My philosophy has always been, “When in doubt, don’t!” Sometimes when trying to make a decision, you need to put things to the test. Let me give you seven -

1. The Personal Test: Will doing it make me a better or worse Christian?

2. The Social Test: Will doing it influence others to be better or poorer Christians?

3. The Practical Test: Will doing it likely bring desirable or undesirable results?

4. The Universal Test: Suppose everyone did it.

5. The Scriptural Test: Is it expressly forbidden in the Word of God?

6. The Stewardship Test: Will doing it involve a waste of God’s entrustment to me?

7. The Missionary Test: Will doing it likely help or hinder the progress of the Kingdom of God?

If you can answer these questions honestly, you should know what to do. But if you can’t yet get a clear direction, then doubt means don’t!