Bible Verses for Doubt
The short answer
Mark 9:24, John 20:27-29, Psalm 73:16-17, Matthew 11:2-3 and Jude 22 speak to doubt. The pattern across them is that doubt is brought into the open and met rather than punished: Thomas is invited to touch, John the Baptist's question gets an answer, and a father's Lord, help thou mine unbelief is enough.
Doubt is not treated in Scripture as the opposite of faith. It is usually treated as something to bring rather than hide.
Where to begin
Three passages about people who doubted and stayed.
Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
Biblical context
A father asks Jesus to heal his son and is challenged about belief. His answer is a contradiction, and the healing follows anyway.
Selah’s reflection
Belief and unbelief are held in one sentence and are not disqualifying.
John 20:27-29
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.”
Biblical context
Thomas has said he will not believe without physical evidence. Jesus returns a week later and offers exactly that.
Selah’s reflection
The demand for evidence is met before it is gently challenged.
Psalm 73:16-17
When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me; Until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
Biblical context
The psalmist has been troubled that the wicked prosper, to the point of saying his feet had almost slipped.
Selah’s reflection
The resolution comes through worship and perspective rather than through a better argument.
Further passages
Matthew 11:2-3
Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
Biblical context
John the Baptist, who had announced Jesus publicly, asks this from prison shortly before his execution.
Selah’s reflection
Jesus does not rebuke the question. A few verses later he calls John the greatest born of women.
Jude 22
On some have compassion, making a distinction,
Biblical context
Instructions about how to treat those wavering within the community.
Selah’s reflection
The instruction to others about doubters is compassion. That is worth remembering if you have been treated otherwise.
Habakkuk 1:2
Yahweh, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you “Violence!” and will you not save?
Biblical context
A prophet's opening complaint. The book is structured as an argument with God that God answers.
Selah’s reflection
An entire book of the Bible begins with an accusation and is not censored.
A short prayer
God, I am not sure of much at the moment, and I am saying so rather than pretending. Meet me where my honesty is, not where my certainty should be.
A question to sit with
Is your doubt about whether God exists, or about whether God is good to you? They are different questions and need different company.
Try Selah
Tell Selah what tonight actually feels like, and it will help you find relevant passages for this moment.
Open the Selah verse finder