THE SABOTAGING POWER OF DOUBT

God hears and answers our prayers. Mark 11:22-24 assures us of this. It reads, "^{22　And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23　For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24　Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."} Doubt means one is at variance with oneself. When we pray, the spirit and soul must agree. The spirit or inner man can be very much aware of the Word and Its promises, yet the soul can entertain the doubt darts of the enemy who desires to abide in and control the mind.

     I Peter 3: 1-7 captures this fact beautifully. It does not put a woman in bondage just because she is a female; however, it is a guide for bringing the soul under the command of the spirit no matter one’s gender. It reads, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2　While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3　Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4　But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5　For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6　Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7　Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

     The soul’s adorning comes from the spirit which is within. All of her glory comes from her husband. Although her hair is a glory to her, her husband and lord, the spirit man, has a greater glory for her. Her gold must not be outward but rather an inward, Divine nature. Her true apparel is His glory. The soul must always be under subjection to the spirit. The lust of the flesh and eyes will blind her, and she will be seduced by that which is carnal and become corrupted if she is does not remain under subjection. When the soul and spirit agree, they form in impenetrable bond against doubt. Remove the doubt and the fear will follow. Then one can patiently expect to hear from God.