DIAKRINO (Doubt)

WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ

What is the Word?

The Christian life stresses faith so much that it can sometimes be confused with works. If we’re honest with ourselves, we don’t always display the kind of faith that the Bible describes – at least not consistently. Being fallen people, sin still clings to us, and doubts and mistrust can overcome us from time to time – especially in an age when the world is openly hostile to our faith. Yet, the Bible actually is not shy about speaking about our doubts, and has a word for it: diakrinó.

How does the Bible use this word?

It’s sometimes astonishing just how different the Greek language is from our contemporary English. While it would be nice for there to be a straightforward Greek word synonymous with “trust,” the New Testament word diakrinó is a bit more complex than we might think. As a compound verb – a combination of dia (thoroughly back-and-forth) and krino (to judge) – it’s most literal meaning is something like “to distinguish” or to “hesitate” or “waver” back and forth. From this, we impose our English notion of “doubt” as comparable.

Where in the Bible?

One interesting place that we find this word being used is in the epistle of James:

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting (διακρινόμενος), for the one who doubts (διακρινόμενος) is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

-James 1:6

James’ words here are challenging, but recall the words of the Lord, who has promised that he will send his Holy Spirit to create faith in the hearts of his people (John 14:16), and to battle against the unbelief working in our hearts. 

Lord, I believe. Help My Unbelief

Recall the story in Mark 9. A Father pleads with Jesus to deliver his son from the torment of a demon who has been attempting to destroy his son for years. Jesus teaches us here that faith and prayer are capable of the miraculous for those who trust in God. He does not rebuke the father for faithlessness. Instead, he has mercy on him, and delivers his son. He helps his unbelief. Let us have ears to hear.