Think on the Bible to understand the destructive power of doubt in the lives of God's people.

First, let's consider the word "doubt." Doubt is uncertainty or a lack of conviction regarding the truth, a fact, or the existence of something. It involves questioning and hesitating to believe or accept the information.

Expressing doubt could look like "I doubt his ability to do this."

Doubt is a lack of trust, indecision between belief and disbelief, and a lack of confidence in someone's abilities or statements.

Doubt, when left unchecked, can lead to fear and hesitation. It can paralyze decision-making and erode our personal beliefs and trust. The consequences of doubt and fear are significant, underscoring the need to address them.

Have you ever noticed how God commands His people to send the cowards, the doubtful, the fearful, and the unbelieving home? If they stay, they contaminate everyone else.

The verse uses the words fearful and afraid, which seem redundant. The same word is used repeatedly in the same verse, but there is more to it than that. The words emphasize the intensity of the apprehension.

The first word, fearful, refers to a general sense of dread or anxiety, while the word afraid here refers to the obvious expression of fear, trembling, or shaking. Fear can be mental, physical, or emotional.

The fact that it is repetitious shows how serious the fear was. Their fear was like shock, astonishment, fright, wanting to run, panic, and intimidation.

One man's fear might cause the hearts of others to faint, melt, dissolve, or be intimidated. Fear spreads like cancer. Fear reduces the solid heart of the strong to a feeble, melted liquid state. Their courage is gone.

Gideon saw two-thirds of his army retreat in fear.

When you doubt God's promises, remember that faith is the antidote to fear. Trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises and work in your circumstances. Fear will have no place in your heart when you believe in His power.

That doesn't mean you might not feel some fear, but no excessive fear that melts you into a puddle of doubt.

If anyone ever has a story of doubt and fear, it is Gideon. He starts the story by hearing God's promise that there will be victory. God has promised complete victory to Gideon. He will be with Gideon through it all.

Doubt fills Gideon. He says, "If the Lord be with us, why then?" Gideon blames God for abandoning them.

Gideon is insecure about himself and his family. He whines and whines to the Lord.

What is beautiful is that God listens to Gideon's whining and doubt. Then, God, step by step, tells Gideon how to overcome his doubt and fear.

Gideon had to hear from God repeatedly to believe. God sent a preacher, an angel, and the Spirit of the Lord to work in Gideon's life.

In his doubt, Gideon used two fleeces to be sure, just to be sure that God was really talking to him. He knew the battle was too big but couldn't yet see that God was bigger.

Have you ever thought about how doubt and fear may be two of the greatest weapons Satan has?

God was so patient with Gideon and his doubt. He allowed the two fleeces. He repeatedly sent the Word of truth. To show Gideon the fear God had caused in the enemy's camp, God sends Gideon to eavesdrop on the camp conversation.

Even sending Gideon, God allowed Gideon to take his servant, so he didn't have to go alone. Gideon and his servant hear that a man is having a strange dream and knows that God is going to destroy them.

God needs us to have some weakness so that He can effectively use us. God wants us to need Him. God hates it when His people take credit for what only God did.

Could it be that much of God's work is being hindered because of our fears?

God wants an army that is willing to fight His way regardless of whether it makes sense to the warriors.

Before the story ends, Gideon sends the cowards home, and now he also sends the careless home.