The Double Mind
How many say they believe the Bible, but when the rubber meets the road, you find them in the ditch? Some waiver in faith, while some don’t have any faith to waiver. In short, they’re producing little to no fruit. Don’t misunderstand, this is not a scathing accusation. Not by a long shot. Many are struggling and frustrated. These want to walk by faith, and so “confess” they do in hopes to actually pulling it off. We’re not talking about the true-blue hypocrites -the pretenders.
If we’re honest, many of us have struggled with being double-minded. We’ve said one thing, but our actions betrayed our words. It happens, it’s a part of growth. As time progressed, however, fruit did come to the surface. They bared fruit, some 30, 60, and 100-fold.
Metaphorically speaking, a fruit tree illustrates the point: seed had to be planted, roots had to grow, the stem had to break ground and grow into a trunk. Branches and leaves had to form, followed by the fruit. Even the fruit itself had to grow to full maturity. It all takes time. If you read The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13; Mark 4: Luke 8), you also find a person’s heart plays a big role in what is produced.
Some Christians are double-minded. They’re stuck between opinions. They want to believe, but they really don’t. They haven’t made up their mind as to whose report they will believe: that of God or that of the world.
How to Create a Waffling Christian
To be brutally honest, by and large, a person’s heart is the core issue. One reason people waver is they haven’t fully committed to the Kingdom. They want its benefits, while holding onto the things of the world. Consequently, the fruit gets choked out.
Jesus puts it this way in The Parable of the Sower: And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19).
Here’s a super simple illustration: how many make compromises, because they’re afraid of losing their job? This alone speaks to at least a couple issues; and yet, they are all tied to the fear of loss. Some have great compensation packages, and they don’t want to lose the benefits attached to it. These have been chasing the almighty buck, and the lifestyle it offers. Not to mention the prestige that accompanies it. Lifestyle and status are more important than Kingdom.
Others put their trust in their jobs, instead of God. They believe their jobs are their provider, instead of the Lord. They can’t wrap their head around the idea of God meeting their needs. They lose sight of the fact He provided the job in the first place, even though they asked Him for it to begin with. Moreover, they cannot imagine God having something better for them. In some instances, individuals have put themselves in deep debt, and are afraid of losing everything.
Remember, God will use a job as part of the provision. Sometimes, that part is meant for a season, whether it’s short or long. In many cases, lost jobs have been blessings in disguise, even though it did not feel like it, initially. If you’re in this boat, trust God, and hang on for the ride of your life!
Some waffle because they’re stuck between opinions. They ask God for wisdom, but then seek out advice from the world. Others look for signs of God’s Word being true. Jesus, Himself experienced it first hand during His earthly ministry. The Pharisees asked Him for a sign (see Matthew 12 38-40). How many put more faith in science than in God?
James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Yet, another reason for waffling is the fear of man. There’s not much to add here.
Others vacillate because they want things their way. God has to perform in certain ways in order for them to come onboard. They want control. Such people forget He is God and they are not. He does things His way, and we’re called follow it. This is another area in which much could be said, but we’ll leave it there.
What’s the bottom line? Several waffling Christians are those who have hearts that have not been fully converted. They have not made the decision to fully believe. Instead of taking the plunge, they dip their toes and run the other direction, because the water is uncomfortable.
