It’s OK to Question – A Lesson from Doubting Thomas, Jesus’ Disciple

Here’s the Biblical account of Thomas’ doubt in John 20:19-28:

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. …But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

It’s interesting that when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, he apparently assumed they would want to see proof of who he was and willingly showed them his wounds without them needing to ask.

Thomas wasn’t there the first time so I can certainly understand him saying, “Unless I see that too, I will not believe it was Jesus that you saw.”  His doubt wasn’t in who Christ claimed to be, but whether it was actually him who appeared before the others. Eight days later, Jesus returned, and this time showed Thomas his hands and side and Thomas believed.  Jesus didn’t reprimand Thomas for doubting.

The account of Thomas seems to affirm that it is healthy to question what others claim, especially where Biblical truth is concerned.  Scripture is clear we are to test everything against the truth of scripture: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

Scripture also points out our tendency to seek out those who teach what we want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

Unfortunately, there are popular speakers and authors within the Christian community who are entertaining the crowds and making everyone feel good, but their teaching is questionable or unBiblical.

Even so, many assume if that’s where the crowds are, if that’s what all our Christian friends are reading, then it must be ok.  But instead of blindly following, however, we need to be like Thomas and not fear healthy questions and solid reasons.

It’s sometimes difficult to put the excitement of others on hold so that you can test what you see and hear. But discernment is a form of wisdom and James 1:5 assures us that it is something God gives freely and generously.

A.W. Tozer said, “Among the gifts of the Spirit scarcely one is of greater practical usefulness than the gift of discernment. This gift should be highly valued and frankly sought as being almost indispensable in these critical times. This gift will enable us to distinguish the chaff from the wheat and to divide the manifestations of the flesh from the operations of the Spirit.”

My desire is to “test everything and hold on to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) as I embrace the “doubting Thomas” mindset in a positive way. This protects me from chasing after every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14) – or every celebrity teacher – even if that’s what everyone else is doing. Won’t you join me (and Thomas) in seeking the truth?

Check out an earlier post by Cindy here.