How does preconceived notions cause doubt? In this study we will look at the phenomena that affects believers, regardless of the number of years they have walked with the Lord.   Even the most seasoned believer will face doubt which arises from the circumstances they are in.  When all is well in their walk with the Lord, status quo kicks in and the believer goes with the flow.  However, when times get tough, the believer begins to doubt the Lord.  How does preconceived notions cause doubt?  According to the dictionary definition, preconceived notion is an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence. Basically preconceived notion is what we think is or what should be.

An example of preconceived notion is found in one instance of John the Baptist’s life.

Matthew 11:1-3

1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

-In this example, John the Baptist experienced doubt due to his circumstances.  The Jews had a preconceived notion of who the Messiah would be.  Since John learned the same interpretation of scripture, he had a preconceived notion of the Messiah’s mission.  During his imprisonment,  he attempted to reconcile his situation with what he was expecting to happen by the Messiah.  Basically, his preconceived notions stemmed from the interpretation of Messiah, His role and the outcome of His arrival to liberate the Jews.  An inaccurate interpretation led a preconceived notion/understanding.  

This is why the seasoned believers are also susceptible to doubt.  John the Baptist is known as the highest of all prophets.  Jesus spoke very highly of him saying, This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.

His commitment to God is evident in his lifestyle and works he has done.

Furthermore, John the Baptist knew Jesus as they were cousins and knew that He was the Messiah.  John the Baptist’s first encounter with the Jesus was in his mother’s womb.  When John the Baptist heard Mary’s voice, he leaped for joy.

Read Luke 1:39-45

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Thus John the Baptist knew who his cousin was and we see that during the baptism moment in the Jordan River.  John the Baptist describes who is to come, the one he knew as Jesus and what the Lord would do? Let’s read Matthew 3:11-12 & 13-14

Matthew 3:11-12 & 13-14

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Not only did he speak about the Messiah, he knew Him as well.  Nonetheless, he was susceptible to doubt  due to his circumstance.  Incarceration probably wasn’t the way he imagined his life to be.  Therefore, Jesus reassured John the Baptist who sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the One they were supposed to wait for.  Jesus’ answer addresses John the Baptist’s doubt in Matthew 4:4-6

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Can we see this in our lives?  Do we have preconceived notions and expectations what may not be in line with our expectations?  As a result, do we doubt the Lord? 

What Are Some Of the Questions We Ask When We See Things Not Going Our Way

1. God are you there
2. God do you care
3. God why do you want me to suffer
4. God what is your will, why…..

What Are Some Of The Healthy Responses?

1. Help me understand what is going on – give me discernment
2. May your will be done – what do you want me to do? What’s your plan
3. Lord give me grace to continue to move forward in my walk with you
4. In all that I experience, may you be glorified.

How to Overcome Doubt

We’ve already established the the most seasoned believer will face doubt, however, how do you overcome it and remain focused on Christ?  How does How does preconceived notions cause doubt, what elements are a part of it and how do we overcome it.  Well, we know that one reason or doubt is fear.   What is fear?  According to the dictionary definition, a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc.,whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

The classic example of fear is seen in the New Testament where the disciples see Jesus walking on the water and immediately fear.  Peter also fears when seeing the winds and the waves during the storm.  Let’s read a few verses and see what the circumstance were that created fear.

Matthew 14:22-32

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” (EYES FIXED ON CHRIST) 29 “Come,” he said. (EYES FIXED ON CHRIST) Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus (STILL EYES FIXED ON CHRIST). 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (EYES NO LONGER FIXED ON CHRIST)

To extract what transpired, we can outline it in the following way: Losing focus on the Lord places focus on the problem or task at hand, there is a action and reaction situation (Eyes of Christ = Fear = Sinking).  However, we are confident that Jesus is always in control and He is watching over us.  Verse 31 states, 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”  Once the Apostles witnessed this event, they were moved and stricken with awe.  Verse 32 and 33 state the following, 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  What happened is Peter realized what Jesus did and acknowledged His Lordship (previously), yet doubted even though he knew that Christ was with him.  

So, where does fear steam from?  Fear begins with lack of confidence and the unknown.  If we are confident in the Lord then we know that the future is safe with God.  However, when we DOUBT God, then we become fearful.  With all this said, fear is still a natural human feeling, however, we must not allow it to consume us.  Rather, in the first instance of it, we must put it to rest through prayer and commitment to spending time with the Lord. 

The solution is to be in prayer and to not lose sight of the Lord.  Forgetting that Christ is with us and allowing for distractions to consume us will cause doubt.  Distractions are thrown our way by life and by Satan to derail us from the peace we have with the Lord.  How does preconceived notions cause doubt and all factors associate with it is what we must master to put doubt aside.  Stand strong in Christ and do not fear.

For those that have never received the Lord and want to do so, please pray this prayer:

Lord Jesus I know that I am sinner and I ask you forgive me of my sins.  I believe that you were crucified for my sins and through your blood I have redemption and salvation.  Please come into my heart and I receive you as my God.  I pray in Jesus name. AMEN