The Spiritual Gift of Doubt
Did you know there was such a thing as the “spiritual gift of doubt”, and that many believers have it? Wait a second! Does this mean that I endorse some sort of Christian pessimism, naysayers, and gloomy prognosticators? Am I suggesting that some sad-faced Christians have inherited the Apostle Thomas’ skepticism? Well, some may have, but that’s not what I am talking about. No, I mean that among the spiritual gifts Jesus bestows on believers there is such a thing as the gift of doubt.
You may know it by another name. Paul describes it as a gift he calls “distinguishing of spirits” (I Cor. 12:10). It’s more commonly referred to as the gift of discernment. Hebrews 5:12 says, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil” (Italics mine). In both Heb. 5:12 and 1 Cor. 12:10, the same Greek word (diakrino) is used. Matthew uses it when He quotes Jesus, “You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times?” (Matt. 16:3 – Italics mine). Paul also uses it regarding the Lord’s Supper when he calls us to “discern the Lord’s body” (1 Cor. 11:29).
That identical Greek word is also used in Mt. 21:21, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt . . .” (Italics mine). In fact, the word is just as often translated “doubt” as it is “discern” or “distinguish” (Mk. 11:23; Acts 10:20; Ro. 11:23). Therefore, it is fair to say that the “gift of discernment” could also be called the “gift of doubt.”
And when we think about it, it makes sense. Someone with the gift of discernment inserts an element of “doubt” about how things appear on the surface. They exercise Holy Spirit-inspired “judgment” (another common translation of diakrino) in situations that call for clarity or insight.
However, “doubt” is not generally seen as a high value to Christians trying to live a life of faith. Therefore, we should not be surprised when those with other spiritual gifts feel tension with someone who has the “gift of doubt”. Someone with the gift of leadership (wanting to get from point “A” to point “B” as quickly as possible) will, at times, find one with the gift of doubt/discernment a nuisance when he or she upsets their plans. And we can especially understand how someone with the gift of faith may struggle to appreciate someone with the gift of doubt!
In God’s inimitable sovereignty (and not a little irony), He may lead someone with the gift of doubt to marry someone with the gift of faith! If you find yourself in tension with your spouse who always wants to move forward regardless of obstacles, welcome to the way God balances you and your “gift of doubt”. God’s design for believing marriages is to use the differing gifts He gives in harmony with each other rather than in a tug of war. That’s why the “Love Chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13 follows Paul’s description of the differing gifts. Without love, the gifts don’t work well.
What are some indicators that you have the “gift of doubt” though? Here are a few: Have you felt an internal red flag when listening to a certain Bible teacher, something intangible seems missing in their message or person? Have you ever walked into a worship service and immediately thought that something was “off” in the spirit of the church? Have you sensed more going on than meets the eye when you encounter a strange set of circumstances? Do you recognize underlying patterns where others see unrelated events? Have you been afflicted with loneliness because you seem to be the only one who sees what you see? All of this goes part and parcel with the gift of doubt.
Spiritual maturity helps you use your gift effectively. Believers receive different spiritual gifts at conversion, but humility, experience, maturity and especially love help us to use our gifts in balance with all the others and not exalt our own. Can you say, without a doubt, that you don’t consider your spiritual gift more highly than the other spiritual gifts? Nothing corrupts a spiritual gift like pride. Additionally, the gift of discernment/doubt needs to be especially careful of critical, negative spirit. The latter sometimes masquerades as the former.
In these increasingly chaotic days in our culture and in the church, we need the gift of doubt more than ever. Without it, we walk blindly into situations without the divine insight it provides. If you have the spiritual gift of “doubt”, let me encourage you to use your gift courageously, in love, and then you can have no doubt your gift will strengthen the Body of Christ!
Mark Barnard serves with Blessing Point Ministries which helps churches experience healing from internal crises. He is coauthor, with Dr. Kenneth Quick, of The Dance of the Gifts: How Ministry Leaders Can Discern God’s Will.