What does the Bible say about questioning your faith?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers may experience doubt and questioning, yet are called to bring these struggles honestly to Christ, seek assurance in his promises, and grow in steadfast faith. The father in Mark 9:24 models this prayerful honesty: “I believe; help my unbelief.” Jesus gently corrected Peter’s wavering in Matthew 14:31 and received Thomas’s doubts in John 20:24-29, calling him to faith. Psalm 42:5 directs the downcast soul to hope in God, while James 1:6 warns against a settled, double-minded refusal to trust him. Trials test and refine genuine faith, as 1 Peter 1:6-7 teaches, and believers should examine themselves in light of Christ, the only foundation who saves.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Jude 1:22 8 votes
On some have compassion, making a distinction,
- Mark 9:24 7 votes
Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
- 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 6 votes
For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is. If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
- Matthew 14:31 5 votes
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 3 votes
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
- Psalms 42:5 3 votes
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
- John 20:24-29 3 votes
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
- Matthew 28:17 3 votes
When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 3 votes
Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
- James 1:6 3 votes
But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
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