Intimacy With GodSample

Debunking Intimacy: Scepticism

Have you ever wrestled with questions about your faith? Perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering about God’s love, His plan for your life, or even His existence. Friend, you’re not alone. In his book “The Reason for God,” Timothy Keller wrote, “Having faith with doubts is not a problem— wrestling with hard questions, with personal or cultural objections to our belief system, forces us to seek truth and practice humility. And I can promise you this: God is not threatened by your questions or your doubts.”

In today’s world, scepticism is often celebrated as a mark of intellectual strength. We’re taught to criticise, challenge, and question everything, even our own beliefs. While there’s value in examining what we’re taught, there are also dangers if scepticism becomes the defining factor of our lives. Without being grounded in faith and truth, scepticism can lead to emotional and spiritual struggles and also to us feeling vulnerable, disconnected, and even hopeless.

Peter Scazzero, in “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,” says that scepticism makes it difficult for us to be emotionally healthy because it’s easier to fear vulnerability. We then stop trusting to the point that we neglect people and God. It’s true, isn’t it? The more we doubt, the harder it is to let others into our hearts. Add to this the constant stream of negative and overwhelming information from the media, and it’s no wonder that so many struggle with loneliness, distrust of others, individualism, anxiety, and extreme hopelessness.

Even in the Bible, we see examples of scepticism creeping into the hearts of faithful people. When news of the religious leaders questioning Jesus of His authority and teaching reached John the Baptist, he became sceptical of Jesus’ divine identity. He had preached that Jesus was the Messiah, witnessed the Spirit descending on Jesus at His baptism, and heard God’s voice proclaiming, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Yet later, from prison, John sent his disciples to question the Lord, “Are you the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3). Can you imagine? The very man sent to prepare the way for Christ wrestled with doubt (John 1:6-8).

Perhaps you’re feeling like John today. Maybe circumstances in your life have caused you to question God’s love or His plan. Perhaps you’re struggling to accept an outcome that doesn’t align with your prayers. It’s okay to feel this way. God isn’t intimidated by your questions; instead, He invites you to bring them to Him.

Healthy scepticism has its place. It helps us grow, reflect, and seek truth. But we should not allow scepticism to contradict our faith or spirituality, separating us from God. It should serve as a motivator for us to get closer to God, to seek the answer through His Word, and to hear His voice. In whatever scepticism we harbour, we should not give up on our desire for intimacy with God. Without a relationship with God, we will only get our answers cognitively but not relationally. Let us go to God, for we will receive comfort and hope that only He can provide (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

Let's Reflect
In your doubts and scepticism, are you seeking God?

Prayer

Lord,

Thank You for being a God who is never distant from our questions, doubts, or fears. Lord, we confess that sometimes scepticism and uncertainty creep into our hearts. Yet, You remain faithful. May we find answers, hope, and comfort in You.

Amen.