Misgivings, a term often associated with feelings of doubt, apprehension, or uncertainty, can be seen throughout the Bible in various contexts. These feelings are part of the human experience and are addressed in Scripture, offering guidance and reassurance to believers.

Biblical Instances of Misgivings

1. Abraham and Sarah: In Genesis 17:17, Abraham expresses doubt when God promises him a son in his old age. "Then Abraham fell facedown and laughed, and said to himself, 'Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?'" . Despite his initial misgivings, Abraham's faith ultimately leads him to trust in God's promise.

2. Moses: Moses experienced misgivings about his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In Exodus 4:10, Moses says to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue" . God reassures Moses by providing Aaron as his spokesperson and promising His presence.

3. Gideon: In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon tests God with a fleece to confirm His promise of victory over the Midianites. Gideon's misgivings are met with patience by God, who provides the signs Gideon requests, thus strengthening his faith.

4. Elijah: After his victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah experiences fear and doubt when threatened by Jezebel. In 1 Kings 19:3-4, Elijah flees for his life and prays for death, saying, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers" . God responds by providing Elijah with rest, nourishment, and a renewed sense of purpose.

5. The Disciples: The disciples often displayed misgivings, particularly regarding Jesus' identity and mission. In Matthew 14:31, after Peter walks on water and begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out and catches him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" . This incident highlights the disciples' struggle with doubt and the importance of faith.

Addressing Misgivings in Scripture

The Bible provides numerous exhortations to overcome misgivings through faith and trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" . This passage underscores the importance of relying on God's wisdom rather than our own limited understanding.

Philippians 4:6-7 offers further guidance: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . Here, prayer and thanksgiving are presented as antidotes to anxiety and doubt.

Faith as a Remedy for Misgivings

Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," provides numerous examples of individuals who overcame misgivings through faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" . This chapter highlights the faith of figures like Noah, Abraham, and Moses, who trusted in God's promises despite their initial doubts.

James 1:6-8 warns against being double-minded, stating, "But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" . This passage emphasizes the importance of unwavering faith in prayer and decision-making.

Conclusion

While misgivings are a natural part of the human experience, the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings to help believers navigate these feelings. Through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's promises, Christians are encouraged to overcome doubt and trust in the Lord's guidance and provision.1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... 1), discern (1), disputed (1), doubt (2), doubting (2), doubts (2), judge (1), judged
(1), made distinctions (1), made...distinction (1), misgivings (2), pass ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1252.htm - 9k

"Art Thou He?"
... alone." TENNYSON. John's Misgivings"Disappointed Hopes"Signs of the
Christ"The Discipline of Patience"A New Beatitude. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xi art thou he.htm

Whether the Object of Faith Can be Something Seen
... If it chooses with hesitation, and with misgivings about the other alternative,
there will be opinion. If it chooses with assurance ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether the object.htm

Jabez
... Here, however, there was not even that; this child was received with misgivings
and fears, and awoke no joy in the mother's breast. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/jabez.htm

The Judgment Upon Zacharias
... as it does at times"for the truest believer has his times of doubt; even Abraham,
the father of the faithful, sometimes had his misgivings"that unbelief ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the judgment upon zacharias.htm

Chapter xv
... omnipotence. But, at the same time, Abram voices the natural misgivings of
the limited human understanding when he says: maht-titten-l??. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

John's Rebuke of Herod.
... We should have expected that a man who had lived so close to God all his life, would
have no misgivings in his last hours. But, my brethren, it is not so. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xxi johns rebuke of herod.htm

The Impotence of the Law.
... The ten commandments can never silence his inward misgivings, and his moral fears;
for they are given for the very purpose of producing misgivings, and causing ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the impotence of the law.htm

The Planting of the Church in New England --Pilgrim and Puritan.
... It could not have been with joy wholly unalloyed with misgivings that this feeble
folk learned of a powerful movement for planting a Puritan colony close in ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter viii the planting of.htm

Your Cruelty is Our Glory. ...
... For all who witness the noble patience of its martyrs, as struck with misgivings,
are inflamed with desire to examine into the matter in question; [457] and as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to scapula/chapter v your cruelty is.htm

Cambyses.
... Cyrus, it seems, felt some misgivings in respect to the result of his enterprise;
and, in order to insure the tranquillity of his empire during his absence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter i cambyses.htm

Misgivings (3 Occurrences)
...Misgivings (3 Occurrences). Acts 10:20 Rise, go down, and go with them without any
misgivings; for it is I who have sent them to you." (WEY NAS). ...
/m/misgivings.htm - 7k

Reached (152 Occurrences)
... friends to be present. (WEY). Acts 11:12 And the Spirit told me to accompany
them without any misgivings. There also went with me ...
/r/reached.htm - 35k

Misgab (1 Occurrence)

/m/misgab.htm - 7k

Misguided (1 Occurrence)

/m/misguided.htm - 6k

Based (40 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:23 But he who has misgivings and yet eats meat is condemned already, because
his conduct is not based on faith; for all conduct not based on faith is ...
/b/based.htm - 17k

Conduct (93 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:23 But he who has misgivings and yet eats meat is condemned already, because
his conduct is not based on faith; for all conduct not based on faith is ...
/c/conduct.htm - 35k

Centurion's (2 Occurrences)
... death. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Acts 11:12 And the Spirit told
me to accompany them without any misgivings. There also ...
/c/centurion's.htm - 7k

Accompany (19 Occurrences)
... sent them." (See NAS RSV). Acts 11:12 And the Spirit told me to accompany
them without any misgivings. There also went with me these ...
/a/accompany.htm - 11k

Meat (387 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:23 But he who has misgivings and yet eats meat is condemned already, because
his conduct is not based on faith; for all conduct not based on faith is ...
/m/meat.htm - 36k

Present (577 Occurrences)
... BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Acts 11:12 And the Spirit told me to accompany
them without any misgivings. There also went with me these ...
/p/present.htm - 38k

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

What is spiritual abuse? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Obed-Edom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus