View Full Version : Is it normal to question your faith?
John the Baptist had questions, while in prison didn't he?
What are your thoughts? Do most believers have times they wonder a little?
I have my own thoughts, but I want to hear from you guys first.
Cato
WildmanSC
04-01-2005, 12:49 PM
When living in the power of the Holy Spirit, no! When living in the power of the carnal flesh, yes! Can a Christian live in the carnal flesh? Absolutely! Read Romans Chapters 7 and 8 and you will see Paul describing his struggle as a Christian living in the carnal flesh in Chapter 7 and then in Chapter 8 you will see him describing his living the victorious Christian life by dying to self, daily nailing the flesh to the cross, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
When we are living in the power of the carnal flesh, Satan's demons sit on our shoulders whispering "You're not saved, you're a wretched vile sinner, you are not worthy of God's grace." And the demons are correct in the latter two cases, but they are wrong insofar as salvation. If you are a born again child of God, you are saved eternally, you have everlasting, eternal life, and as Christ said "He who the Father puts in my hand, no man can pluck him out." Halaleuah!! :amen: :amen: :amen: :amen:
Bill
Bill McNeal
04-01-2005, 01:22 PM
When living in the power of the Holy Spirit, no! When living in the power of the carnal flesh, yes! Can a Christian live in the carnal flesh? Absolutely! Read Romans Chapters 7 and 8 and you will see Paul describing his struggle as a Christian living in the carnal flesh in Chapter 7 and then in Chapter 8 you will see him describing his living the victorious Christian life by dying to self, daily nailing the flesh to the cross, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
When we are living in the power of the carnal flesh, Satan's demons sit on our shoulders whispering "You're not saved, you're a wretched vile sinner, you are not worthy of God's grace." And the demons are correct in the latter two cases, but they are wrong insofar as salvation. If you are a born again child of God, you are saved eternally, you have everlasting, eternal life, and as Christ said "He who the Father puts in my hand, no man can pluck him out." Halaleuah!! :amen: :amen: :amen: :amen:
Bill
Bill, I totally agree with you with every part of that post!
Shalom!
Esquire
04-01-2005, 01:27 PM
Cato,
I don't know what is "normal!" Many do doubt. So perhaps it is normal. One thing I know is that people should not be afraid of their doubts. I fear that some have come to believe that there is something "wrong" with them if they doubt. It is right and fitting that we should be honest with God, for we cannot disguise our hearts and minds anyway.
On this subject, I am struck by the cry of the man whose boy was possessed, as told us in Mark. He believed, and confessed his doubt in the same breath, as it were!
Mark Ch. 9:
20They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.
21And He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.
22"It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"
23And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes."
24Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."
This is a cry of anguish from the heart that Jesus heard. God hears the anguished cry from our hearts, every time. Do we need to doubt? No. Will we doubt? Probably! Do we need to beat ourselves up for doubting?
I do not believe that we do.
larry
04-01-2005, 01:33 PM
well, Praise the Lord!! Bill and Bill totally agree on something :D :highfive:
larry
WildmanSC
04-01-2005, 02:59 PM
Larry,
Believe it or not, Bill M and I are not that far apart on a lot of issues. The ones that we can't agree upon we've already discussed at great length, so I'll leave it at that. Praise the Lord for the blessed assurance that only He can provide, the cleansing power in His precious blood, and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit! These items are listed in inverse order as they actually occur, but praise the Lord anyway!!
Bill L
As I mentioned, from the Scripture, it appears that John the Baptist went through some period of questioning what he already knew. He baptised Christ, and later sought assurance that He was in fact the Messiah.
I think Satan will attempt to make us doubt whenever possible. He challenges our attempts to live by faith. But for me, questions became the catalyst to learning. I began to have a desire to seek answers. I have long been convinced that many of our questions have answers, if we will only look for them. You do not have to be an intellectual "idiot" to accept the claims of Jesus Christ
Today, there are numerous books and resources driven at appologetics, that is, defending the faith. Reading and seeking answers has strengthened my faith so that I no longer have nagging doubts.
I'm risking being flamed, but this is an important topic, and I really have something I'd like to say.
Satan is trying to destroy you every minute of your life. If a man has faith in Christ then he'll try to destroy that faith. The reason a person questions his/her faith is because they are doing what's right and the enemy hates that. He will always try to destroy you.
When you have a question about your faith (no matter whay your faith is :) ), remember this scripture, and remember it well.
James 1:5-6
5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and is shall be given him.
6: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..........
Let me repeat that "let him ask in faith, nothing wavering". One more time "let him ask in faith, nothing wavering"
What I'm saying is when Satan does get on your shoulder trying to destroy you, remember you have a weapon, the most powerful weapon of all FAITH IN CHRIST. Pray for the answers to the questions you have and the Lord WILL help you. You just MUST have FAITH he will answer your prayers. It will work. Nobody ever give up no matter what faith you are.
Mat,
I cannot see why anyone would flame that.
The Bible says, ""Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour".
Remember, when Peter referred to a roaring lion, the people of that day knew all too well how dangerous a lion was.
Not because of what it said, because of who posted it. Remember, my introduction didn't go to well.
We won't go into that though. I don't want to detract from, what I think is, a very important post. I remember a story I heard once. It goes like this.
The Devil is having a Garage sale. On the table he has all his tools laid out. A guy is going through them and comes across one that is very worn. The man asks "How much is this?" The devil says, "Oh! I don't know how that got there. That's not for sale. That's my best tool. It's doubt.
Doubt is the greatest enemy to man, because faith is everything.
WildmanSC
04-01-2005, 08:27 PM
We won't go into that though. I don't want to detract from, what I think is, a very important post. I remember a story I heard once. It goes like this.
The Devil is having a Garage sale. On the table he has all his tools laid out. A guy is going through them and comes across one that is very worn. The man asks "How much is this?" The devil says, "Oh! I don't know how that got there. That's not for sale. That's my best tool. It's doubt.
Doubt is the greatest enemy to man, because faith is everything.
Matt,
Yes, faith is very important, but we must remember it is a gift from God. It is a gift from Him even as grace and mercy are gifts from Him.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace through faith are ye saved, and that not of your own, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
Bill
Esquire
04-01-2005, 08:44 PM
Matt,
It's good to see you again. Look forward to dialogue.
Mike
BTW, from my perspective our introduction to each other went OK :)
Right, faith is the key. Faith is key to Christ.
Ephesians 3:17
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith:.......
The strength of faith is further demonstrated in Matt. 21:21
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If y have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Another scripture that states what I said before says
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye recive them, and ye shall have them.
Doubt attacks your faith. Satan knows that faith in Christ is what leads to your eternal salvation. I beleive this is why he tries to make the faithful doubt.
Bill McNeal
04-02-2005, 03:42 AM
Matt, you said............."""It will work. Nobody ever give up no matter what faith you are."""
Remember, there is but one Faith Matt, and Jesus is the Lord of that Faith.
Shalom!
George Tsoukalas
04-02-2005, 05:16 AM
It's certainly human to question.
Would that I did. I'll try to keep myself humble and ask for Him to increase my faith. Nice example, Esquire.
They all denied Him at one time or another with the possible exception of John who may have been the one there with Him at the cross. Their subsequent repentance, and readmission of faith speaks volumes.
Peter denied Jesus ( Mt 26, Mk 14, Lk 22, John 18) only to later repent (John 20) and carry the message throughout the world.
Thomas denied Jesus (John 2O) only later to repent and give one of the greatest admissions of Jesus' Deity ( Jn 20:28).
Finally, even the Savior on the cross asked the Father why He had forsaken Him (Mt 27:46).
The Apostles scattered after His arrest. Look see who wasn't there at his Crucifixtion (Mk 15). Yet we are here sharing our faith with each other largely because of their efforts in carrying the message.
I hope to keep myself humble. Through prayer, repentance, church attendance, Scripture readings and other readings I hope that my faith increases. George
Cato
Once again a very simple, yet thought provoking and intelligent question.
As many of you may know I 'm not a follower of any faith, but I do believe that those who follow a faith sometimes have to follow a very difficult and challenging personal path. Questioning ones' faith requires courage. Your facing your fears, your demons and doubts head on, and I believe that's always a good thing. Questions often reafirm answers. Some times you may not get the amswer you want, but I think you almost always get the right answer for you. Facing you doubts will allways make you a stronger and better person. These personal comments may not add much to the debate but I think this is an excellent question examining the heart of who and what we are as people.
Its good to have you out here Phil. Your comments and quesitons, if any, are welcome.
As I understand it, this forum is not exclusive to those who are believers of Christianity. It is just a place where we are free to discuss issues of our faith without fear of offending others.
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