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Believable Lie #4: Real Faith Means No Doubts

Many Christians quietly carry a burden they rarely admit out loud: “If I really had faith, I wouldn’t have doubts.” The idea sounds spiritual, but it’s simply not true. Even the Bible’s greatest heroes wrestled with questions—including John the Baptist. Real faith isn’t the absence of doubt; it’s the choice to keep trusting Jesus even when life leaves us with a boxful of questions.

John the Baptist Looked Like a “Super Christian”

When John the Baptist burst onto the scene, he seemed like the last person who would ever doubt. He preached with fiery conviction:

“But when John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. ‘You brood of snakes!’ he exclaimed. ‘Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.’” (Matthew 3:7-8, NLT)

John didn’t mince words. He lived boldly, called people to repentance, and baptized crowds in the Jordan River. He even recognized Jesus for who He truly was:

“Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NLT)

At first glance, John seemed like a rock of unshakable faith. But even this great prophet had questions.

John’s First Doubts: “Why Me?”

When Jesus came to be baptized, John tried to stop Him:

“But John tried to talk him out of it. ‘I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,’ he said, ‘so why are you coming to me?’” (Matthew 3:14, NLT)

John didn’t fully understand what Jesus was doing. His theology was still “under construction.” And that’s an important lesson for us: you don’t have to have perfect doctrine before you belong to Jesus. From the very beginning of Christianity, the core message was simple—Jesus is God, He died and rose again, and those who repent and believe will be saved. (Acts 2:36-39)

If John the Baptist could wrestle with holes in his understanding and still be called a man of faith, then we can, too.

John’s Expectations of Jesus Didn’t Match Reality

Like many Jews of his day, John expected the Messiah to bring immediate judgment:

“He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” (Matthew 3:12, NLT)

John pictured a Messiah who was fiery, fierce, and forceful—someone who looked a lot like himself. But Jesus showed up gentle, merciful, and compassionate. He healed the sick, blessed outcasts, and even ate meals with tax collectors and sinners.

When Jesus didn’t match John’s expectations, it created space for doubt. And the same thing happens to us. When our picture of Jesus is shaped by culture, politics, or personal preference instead of Scripture, we can feel disappointed when He doesn’t act like we thought He would.

John’s Dungeon of Doubt

Eventually John was imprisoned for speaking the truth about Herod’s sin. Sitting in a dark dungeon, cut off from ministry and friends, his questions grew heavier.

“John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” (Matthew 11:2-3, NLT)

This is one of the most shocking questions in the New Testament. The very man who once pointed everyone to Jesus now wasn’t sure himself. Yet his doubt didn’t disqualify him from being used by God.

Jesus’ Response to Honest Questions

How did Jesus respond? He didn’t scold John or shame him. Instead, He pointed John back to the evidence:

“Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And he added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.’” (Matthew 11:4-6, NLT)

Jesus reminded John that the signs of the kingdom were unfolding all around him. Miracles, changed lives, and fulfilled prophecy confirmed that He truly was the Messiah.

Then Jesus said something remarkable about John:

“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11:11, NLT)

Think about that. Jesus honored John as the greatest prophet, not after he resolved his doubts, but right in the middle of them.

What This Means for Us

Your doubts don’t mean you lack faith. They mean you’re human. Real faith is choosing to trust Jesus when life doesn’t make sense. It’s holding onto Him when your theology feels unfinished, when your expectations are unmet, and when your dungeon feels dark.

Like John the Baptist, you may not have every answer. But you can trust the same Jesus who heals, restores, and raises the dead. And He blesses those who keep holding onto Him—even with questions still in their hands.

Takeaway Truth

Real faith isn’t the absence of doubt. It’s trusting Jesus in spite of your doubts.