Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but often a part of it. The Bible is full of people who question, struggle, and doubt – and God does not reject them. Here you will find 21 Bible verses for doubt and crises of faith.
People who doubted
The Bible speaks honestly about doubters.
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And at once the father of the child cried out with tears and said: I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!
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But he saw a strong wind; and being afraid, he began to sink, and cried out, and said: Lord, help me! And Jesus at once stretched out his hand, and took him, and said unto him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?
Matthew 14:30-31
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Then said the other disciples unto him: We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them: Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
John 20:25
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Then he saith unto Thomas: Stretch forth thy finger, and behold my hands; and stretch forth thy hand, and lay it in my side, and be not unbelieving, but believing!
John 20:27
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But when John, being in prison, heard of the works of Christ, he sent unto his disciples two, and said unto them: Is it thou that art to come, or shall we wait for another?
Matthew 11:2-3
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And when they saw him, they fell down before him; but some doubted.
Matthew 28:17
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But I myself was almost made to stumble with my feet; my foot almost slipped. For I was grieved with the boasting of the proud, when I saw that the ungodly prospered.
Psalm 73:2-3Envy
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Shall the Lord cast off forever, and not behold no more? Shall his goodness be utterly spent, and shall the promise end?
Psalm 77:8-9
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How long, O Lord, shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? How long shall I call unto thee over my iniquity, and thou wilt not help?
Habakkuk 1:2
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Ah, that I might know how to find him, and come unto his throne.
Job 23:3
What sustains in doubt
Promises that hold true, even when faith wavers.
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And hold fast this difference, that ye may have more mercy.
Jude 1:22
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Though we believe not, yet is he faithful: he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2:13Faithfulness
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But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth liberally to all, and to every one it abideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, and not doubt; for he that doubteth is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
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Then answered Simon Peter him: Lord, whither shall we go? For thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:68Eternal Life
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He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smouldering wick. He shall teach us to keep the judgment.
Isaiah 42:3Courage to liveWeakness
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Nevertheless I am continually with thee; for thou holdest me with thy right hand.
Psalm 73:23LonelinessGod's Hand
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Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is ever the comfort of my heart, and my portion.
Psalm 73:26ExhaustionHeart
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But Jesus said unto him: If thou couldst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:23FaithConfirmation Sayings
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But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith should not fail. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luke 22:32Mediator
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For God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1 John 3:20GuiltSelf-worth
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For we have not a High Priest who cannot have compassion on our weaknesses; but he is tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15SufferingCompassion
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Can a Christian doubt?
The Bible answers this question with stories. Abraham laughs at God's promise, Gideon wants to see signs, John the Baptist asks from prison: “Is it thou that art to come, or shall we wait for another?” (Matthew 11:3). Even after the resurrection, it is said of the disciples: “but some doubted” (Matthew 28:17). Jesus does not send any of them away. Thomas is allowed to put his hand into the wounds (John 20:27). Doubt is therefore not an exclusion criterion, but an invitation to ask honestly.
How you can deal with doubts
The Psalms show a way: speak doubts out loud, instead of pushing them away. Psalm 73 begins with the question of why the ungodly prosper, and ends with “Nevertheless I am continually with thee” (Psalm 73:23). Community is also helpful: Jude exhorts the church to have more mercy and to go after them (Jude 22). And when trust is weak, 2 Timothy 2:13 applies: “Though we believe not, yet is he faithful.” More verses can be found in Bible verses about faith, Bible verses for dry seasons, and Bible verses about seeking God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about doubt?
The Bible speaks openly of doubters like Thomas, John the Baptist, or the father in Mark 9:24 and shows that God accepts them. It invites you to speak doubts out loud in prayer.
What does “I believe, Lord, help my unbelief” mean?
The sentence of a father in Mark 9:24 combines faith and doubt. Jesus accepts this honest request and heals the son.
