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As we walk with Jesus, we experience many trials and challenges. How we walk through these challenges says much about our faith. All our challenges look different. Here in Southern California, we don’t see persecution the way the early church did. Not yet, at least. But we have brothers and sisters in Syria currently experiencing the persecution Jesus warned about. In contrast to what Christians in the Middle East are experiencing, managing the temper tantrums of my five-year-old daughter seems minimal. But that is a current trial of mine, and I must navigate and lean on the Lord daily to get through it.

James talks about how we are strengthened through our trials, so they do serve a purpose. But what do we do when we are weak in faith and struggle with the truths we will lean on in our trial? (Read Wisdom in times of Doubt for more.)

Sisters, it’s important to remember that there will always be those weak in faith. Romans 14:1-3 says: “[1]  Welcome those who are weak in faith but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. [2] Some people’s faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in their faith eats only vegetables. [3] Those who will eat anything are not to despise those who don’t, while those who eat only vegetables are not to pass judgment on those who will eat anything, for God has accepted them.”

In these passages, Paul uses a contrasting parallel between those who eat meat and those who do not to demonstrate the difference between those who have faith and accept that Jesus has fulfilled the Law and believers weak in faith who are still trying to please God with their works. We are not to argue over personal convictions.

The Law of Christ + Love = His Law is Love

Paul addresses the situation with food on the tail of the previous chapter. Paul calls the Roman Church to walk in a life representing the Law of Christ. His law is LOVE. Romans 13:9-10 says:

“[9] The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ ‘and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.[10]Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law.” He goes on in vs. 14 to remind them not to give any provision for the flesh. 

When you are providing for your flesh you are feeding your desires. These desires do not align with Gods desires… hence why they are called “fleshly” or even “worldly” desires. As people of God, we do not feed our flesh but carry our cross DAILY (Matthew 16:24) and live by the Spirit of God. When you make provisions for your flesh, you are living a life contrary to the life of Christ and His commands.

I want to further preface this because we all have times when we are weak in faith. In these times of weakness, you must choose: do you turn to the Lord? Or do you turn to the world and make provisions for the flesh? That is why it is vital to come alongside one another and encourage and lift each other up. Find one if you don’t have a community of believers to do this for you! The writer of Hebrews says this: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)”. 

-Faith + Doubt = Double-Minded

Okay, so how does this all fit together? This brings us to James (finally). In chapter one, James talks about doubt. In verse 8, he says, “He” (the one who doubts) “is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” This is a harsh truth that doesn’t go down easy. It’s not “sweet on the tongue,” just “bitter in the stomach” (if you know, you know). 

To doubt (diakeino in Greek) means to be at variance with one’s self; hesitant. The one who doubts is weak in faith. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. When firm in our faith, we fully trust God and what He is doing. In times of weakness, we tend to forget or ignore who God is and what He is doing.

To be double-minded (dispsuchos in the Greek) means to have a divided heart. A divided heart implies a part of us is split between the kingdom of God and the world. How is that possible? We know we belong to Christ, but what we know and do don’t always align. If you are double-minded, you may know that Christ is King and in control, but you choose to go to worldly things for resolution or comfort in times of trial.

Doubt and being double-minded have many effects on the believer. In the book of James alone, we see some of the effects of doubt and being double-minded, including:

• Lack of wisdom from God (1:7)
• Indecisiveness (1:6-8)
• Unstable (1:8)
• Sinfulness (1:9-11)
• Worldly wisdom vs. Godly wisdom (3:13-16)
• Friendship with the world and Enmity with God (4:4-10)
• Inability to control one’s tongue (2:26, 3:2-12)
• The division between word and deed (1:22-27)
• Not loving your neighbor or opposing God (4:11-12)

There is hope if you are struggling with doubt or growing weak in faith. In Mark 9:24, a father cried out to Jesus for his son to be healed. “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”. His boy was healed. You can overcome weakness in faith with your desire to overcome it. Do you desire to grow in faith? You can grow in faith with healthy disciples. Click HERE to read more about daily disciplines I use to grow in my faith. 

Faith the size of a mustard seed was all they needed. A mustard seed is tiny. But when watered, it grows into a magnificent tree.

Key Points Summary

Introduction to Trials and Faith

• Trials and Challenges: Christians face various trials, which can range from personal struggles to persecution, depending on their location and circumstances.
• Faith in Trials: These challenges test faith and provide opportunities for growth, as noted in James 1.

Weakness in Faith

• Romans 14:1-3: The Bible advises welcoming those weak in faith without judgment, using the example of dietary choices to illustrate differences in faith levels.
• Choosing Support: In times of weakness, believers must choose between turning to the Lord or the world, emphasizing the importance of community support.

Doubt and Double-Mindedness

• Definition: Doubt (diakeino) means being at variance with oneself, while being double-minded (dispsuchos) means having a divided heart between God’s kingdom and the world.
• Effects: Doubt and double-mindedness can lead to:
  • Lack of wisdom from God
  • Indecisiveness
  • Instability
  • Sinfulness
  • Worldly wisdom over Godly wisdom
  • Friendship with the world and enmity with God
  • Inability to control one’s tongue
  • Division between word and deed

Overcoming Weakness in Faith

• Desire to Overcome: Believers can overcome doubt by desiring to grow in faith.
• Community and Disciplines: Engaging with a supportive community and practicing daily spiritual disciplines can help strengthen faith.
• Prayer and Faith: Even small amounts of faith can be powerful, as illustrated by Jesus’ mustard seed analogy, emphasizing the importance of prayer and community support.