Is it a sin for a Christian to doubt?

Most, if not all, Christians have times when they begin to doubt some aspects of their faith. They may even doubt if they are really Christians or even if God exists. Are such doubts sin? I do not believe so. I know there have been times in my own life when I've doubted some aspects of Christianity. I've questioned some things God was or was not doing in my life or the lives of others. Working through those doubts actually strengthened my faith as I believe it can for all believers.

The best well-known doubter in the Bible was the apostle Thomas. Because he was not present when Jesus appeared to the other disciples he refused to believe it happened. Unless he could personally see Jesus and feel the wounds He had experienced on the cross he would not believe. Jesus appeared to them again and presented Himself to Thomas who then believed. Tradition tells us Thomas was later martyred due to his Christian beliefs and preaching. When his doubts were answered his faith increased to the level where he willingly gave up his life proclaiming the Kingdom of God. I think it is important to note that Jesus did not criticize Thomas for his doubts but responded to them in a way that erased them.

What do you do when you begin to experience doubts? The first step is to acknowledge them and begin to talk to others, such as a pastor or other mature believer. Seek out books that can answer the doubts. Begin to doubt the doubts. You can probably list a number of reasons why your doubts are not credible. Do so, and carry that list with you. When the doubts begin to trouble you, pull out your list of why those doubts are not credible and voice them out loud. Ask God to help remove those doubts from your mind. Recognize that those doubts do not come from Him but from the enemy of our soul. You are engaged in spiritual warfare. Use the shield of faith and sword of truth to attack the doubts.

Because our doubts can help us grow in our faith accept them for what they are and find ways to overcome them. Do not let the enemy cause you to believe that God is angry at you because of your doubts or that your doubts are sin. There will be times when every Christian will have doubts, will question something they have been taught. Use those doubts as stepping stones to a more mature faith.