Video summary

Why Questioning Doesn't Mean You Stopped Believing - Javan Smith - Charis Daily - Season 14 Ep. 14

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main Ideas and Concepts

  • God’s desire is “full assurance,” and it comes through faith

    • The Lord wants believers to live with full assurance (not uncertainty or fear).
    • Full assurance only comes through faith, not through changing natural circumstances.

  • Questioning does not equal “stopping believing”

    • The message argues that believers can still be men and women of faith even when their minds question at times.
    • Bible examples (especially Abraham) are used to show that questioning can occur without negating faith.

  • The “curse of the law” includes fear, anguish, and lack of assurance

    • From Deuteronomy 28, the curse involves:
      • Anguish of soul (Deut. 28:65)
      • Life hanging in doubt, fear day and night, no assurance of life (Deut. 28:66)
    • From Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law by becoming a curse “when he hung on the tree.”

  • Assurance grounded in experiences is unstable; assurance grounded in the Word is stable

    • Personal experiences (visions, open heavens, audible voices, etc.) can cause people to drift if they rely on what they felt/seen.
    • Faith does not come through natural senses; it comes through hearing the Word.

  • Biblical examples: John the Baptist and Peter

    • John the Baptist
      • After witnessing extraordinary divine realities, he still questioned (Matthew 11).
      • The argument: questioning after experiences shows how easily assurance drifts away from faith-based certainty.
    • Peter
      • Confessed Jesus as Messiah (Matthew 16), then later denied Jesus (after the transfiguration in Matthew 17).
      • The argument: being persuaded temporarily by experience can weaken later faith.

  • Abraham: “fully convinced” is something you grow into, not an instant state

    • Romans 4 describes Abraham as eventually “fully convinced.”
    • The speaker emphasizes:
      • Abraham believed (Genesis 15:6),
      • yet questioned soon after (Genesis 15:8).
    • Conclusion: questioning does not automatically mean you lost faith.
    • God credits righteousness through faith, and God understands believers may question in moments.

  • “Full assurance of faith” is approached with honesty

    • Hebrews 10:22 is used to teach drawing near to God with a true heart.
    • This includes admitting real struggle:
      • “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief” is presented as an acceptable, truthful posture.

  • Amen / “Most assuredly” as a theme of certainty

    • Amen is treated as more than a closing word—it signifies a seal of faith and certainty.
    • Jesus is identified as “the Amen” (Revelation 3:14).
    • Jesus’ “verily/verily” / “most assuredly” is presented as carrying maximum certainty.
    • Practical takeaway: believers can rest, lean, and trust Jesus’ promises because they carry full assurance.

Instructional / Methodological Takeaways (Implicit Approach Taught)

  • Reframe fear and uncertainty as something Christ redeemed you from

    • Read the curse passages (e.g., Deuteronomy 28) as evidence of what Jesus covered at the cross.
    • Use Galatians 3:13 to conclude: fear-based doubt is not your required identity.

  • Ground assurance only in faith, not in circumstances

    • Identify what you might be leaning on (job, relationships, riches, “tomorrow,” etc.).
    • Replace leaning on “shakeable” things with confidence in God’s Word.

  • Build faith by hearing the Word

    • Treat experiences as potentially helpful but not the foundation of lasting assurance.
    • Seek assurance through repeated Word-based hearing.

  • When you question, don’t condemn yourself as “no longer faithful”

    • If you drift into inner doubt, interpret it as a moment of questioning that can still exist alongside genuine faith.
    • Remember Abraham: credited by faith, yet questioned later.

  • Come to God with “a true heart”

    • Don’t pretend you’re fully assured if you aren’t.
    • You can draw near while openly stating struggle (belief with ongoing help needed).

  • Appropriate the promises

    • “Yes” is described as God’s part; “amen” is believers’ part—meaning you affirm and receive what God promised.
    • Treat Jesus’ “most assuredly / verily, verily” statements as fully dependable.

Speakers / Sources Featured

  • Javan Smith (host/speaker)
  • Andrew Wommack (referenced as author/teacher; via the booklet offer: Insights into Faith)

Christian Scripture Authors / Bible Texts Referenced

  • Deuteronomy 28
  • Galatians 3:13
  • Hebrews 10:22
  • Matthew 11 (John the Baptist sending disciples; questioning)
  • Matthew 16–17 (Peter’s confession; transfiguration)
  • Romans 4 (Abraham “fully convinced”)
  • Genesis 15 (Abraham believed; later questioned)
  • John 8:56–58 (Abraham seeing Jesus)
  • 2 Corinthians (promises: “yes… and in him amen” referenced)
  • Revelation 3:14 (“the Amen”)
  • Hebrews 12:2 (Jesus author/finisher/perfector of faith)
  • Isaiah (prophecy referenced regarding Messiah signs)

Original video