Chain of Double-Mindedness
Double-mindedness can become a chain; but if we trust God, that chain can be broken.
It is amazing how quickly the opinion of people can be swayed due to double-mindedness. One of the most well-known examples of this occurred the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.
When we celebrate Palm Sunday, we see when Jesus came into Jerusalem. Luke 19:35-40 and other scriptures say people were shouting “Hosanna,” “Son of God”, “Son of the soon-coming King” etc. They were filled with adoration for Jesus. Yet, within a few days, the crowd had a totally different mindset. Jesus had been arrested and brought before the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate:
“20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 21 But they shouted, saying, ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him!’ 22 Then he said to them the third time, ‘Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.’ 23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.” – LUKE 23:20-23
Jesus had not changed. He continued to do good, heal the sick and preach the Gospel. The only thing that changed was the people’s minds.
One of the issues we have as Christians is the opportunity to become double-minded. We’ll read something in the Word of God and see it as a truth – we’ll be drawn to it – but then when pressure comes, we’ll look for a reason to not believe it.
God wants us to be able to stand even in the worst of moments and still declare His glory. He wants us to understand how good He is to us and how great He has been to us. But double-mindedness can cause people to falter. Double-mindedness will also cause you to not move or step out. Double-mindedness will cause you to falter between two opinions.
“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.” – 1 KINGS 18:21
Years ago, I preached on this verse 18 straight Sundays and Wednesdays. Notice that when Elijah asked the people, they answered him not a word…this is because the people were stuck not making a decision on who to believe.
One of the things that happens when we allow ourselves to become double-minded, we become paralyzed in action; that’s what the word falter means. Think about the idea of a man taking a step and then stopping, then taking a step and then stopping. I see a lot of people living their Christian lives just like that; they falter because there’s an uncertainty about what the next step is.
We Need to Be Settled
Here is what I know: Wherever God wants to take me is the place to be.
We need to be settled that whatever road God wants us to travel, it’s the best place to be. Where is that road? It’s right there in the Bible. We have what it says we have and we can do what it says we can do. The issue always comes back to what we really believe about what God has said and whether or not we believe it will have an impact on our life. It’s not about WHAT YOU know, but WHO (God) you know and WHAT HE believes concerning His promises and you!
Here is what the Spirit says through James about Double-Mindedness
“6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” – JAMES 1:6-8
When we get double-minded, we undermine the ability of God to act in our life. In that position, we’re always questioning God’s faithfulness rather than accepting God’s faithfulness. We’re unstable.
Look at the disciple Peter: In Matthew 16:16, he tells Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yet, five verses later, Jesus tells Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!” because Peter started rebuking Jesus for saying He talked about His soon-coming death and resurrection. How could Peter respond in two completely opposite ways of trusting Jesus? Double-mindedness.
If you truly settle the issue of God’s faithfulness, it will help you settle the way you believe, think, and speak.
Watch the April 10, 2022 message on which this post is based: CLICK HERE.
