Doubt is not automatically a sin; faith is a decision and doubt is often a feeling, and both can coexist — as illustrated by the father who said 'I believe; help my unbelief.'

Mike distinguishes between doubt (often an emotional/psychological state) and unbelief (a volitional choice to reject). Faith is also a choice, not merely a feeling. A person who feels doubt but chooses to trust God is exercising faith. The Gospel account of the father asking Jesus to heal his son — 'I believe; help my unbelief' (Mark 9:24) — demonstrates that God accepts imperfect faith mixed with doubt. The man was not rejected; Jesus healed his son.