A problem with doubt
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Hi brothers and sisters,
just want to ask if any fellow christians here have a problem with doubt. Yes, doubt about the truthfulness of the Holy Bible. Because it is either all true or it isn't.
I received Christ last august and I have experienced God's love and presence in my life, and His healing. Thank God for all that. Therefore, I know He is real and that He is our loving God.
But sometimes when i read my bible, i have these sudden thoughts that question whether what i read actually happened. The fact that the complete bible was written over a thousand years but is without contradictions should be proof that it is inspired by God, but sometimes these doubts still creep into my mind.
I have prayed over this but still i think can discuss this issue with you guys here.
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Millions "profess Christ." But in poll after poll, these professing Christians freely admit that they do not really study the Bible. In fact, scarcely more than one-third of Americans can even name the four Gospels—let alone understand what they say.
What about you?
Most of you are probably professing Christians. But do you study the Instruction Manual for all true Christians—the Holy Bible? And what is your real attitude toward the Bible? Do you view the Bible as the real authority in your life? Do you feel it was directly inspired by God, or do you think of it as just a good book with "wise sayings"?
Coming to understand and to LIVE the right answer to these questions is a major KEY to attaining eternal life.
Without the Bible as their authority, men and women everywhere feel "free" to make up their own rules and religions as they go along. In past generations, some Roman Catholic leaders felt "free" to torture and burn nonconformists. Many Protestant Puritans felt free to burn those they labeled "witches." And without the guidance of God's Word, the Nazis felt free to torture and finally exterminate millions of Jews and others they called "undesirables"—even during the lifetimes of many of you reading this article!
And, of course, in a society cut off from the understanding and authority of God's Word, men and women feel "free" to commit adultery and practice homosexuality, transvestism and even bestiality—doing virtually anything that "feels good." If their sexual "freedom" brings unintended consequences, they do not hesitate to destroy the human life growing inside the mother's womb. They offer clever reasonings and "catch phrases" to make these abominable practices seem correct. They say: "A woman has the right to control her own body."
Sounds good?
Yes. But what about "controlling" her emotions and her body so that she does not become pregnant outside of marriage? And if she becomes pregnant in marriage, it should be done in a "controlled" manner so that she is RESPONSIBLE for the OTHER human life within her body.
What about the countless millions of young people deprived of parents through the tragedy of divorce? Should people feel "free" to divorce for any reason, as so many do today? Jesus Christ clearly said: "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 5:32).
I can hear many people saying right now: "I think that is too strong! I don't agree with that!" Or they may say: "Jesus said that 2,000 years ago, so it doesn't apply today." This is the kind of reasoning even millions of professing Christians use to get around scores of plain and clear biblical teachings.
exerpt taken from Roderick C. Meredith -
Hi,Originally posted by le cruz:Hi brothers and sisters,
just want to ask if any fellow christians here have a problem with doubt. Yes, doubt about the truthfulness of the Holy Bible. Because it is either all true or it isn't.
I received Christ last august and I have experienced God's love and presence in my life, and His healing. Thank God for all that. Therefore, I know He is real and that He is our loving God.
But sometimes when i read my bible, i have these sudden thoughts that question whether what i read actually happened. The fact that the complete bible was written over a thousand years but is without contradictions should be proof that it is inspired by God, but sometimes these doubts still creep into my mind.
I have prayed over this but still i think can discuss this issue with you guys here.
Yes, I must confess that I too have this doubt when I first come into contact with Christianity and till in my early days as a believer, on occasions I still had this problem.
Its is this doubt that drove me deeper into my search into and about the Bible.
Try reading some apologetics books if you need answers on this issue, but of cause, don't neglect the best book to read, The Bible, where you can find Jesus.
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We all have our share of doubts my friend at some point in time. The apostles had their doubts....John the Baptist for one........the precursor of the Lord Jesus Christ even had his share of doubts:Originally posted by le cruz:Hi brothers and sisters,
just want to ask if any fellow christians here have a problem with doubt. Yes, doubt about the truthfulness of the Holy Bible. Because it is either all true or it isn't.
I received Christ last august and I have experienced God's love and presence in my life, and His healing. Thank God for all that. Therefore, I know He is real and that He is our loving God.
But sometimes when i read my bible, i have these sudden thoughts that question whether what i read actually happened. The fact that the complete bible was written over a thousand years but is without contradictions should be proof that it is inspired by God, but sometimes these doubts still creep into my mind.
I have prayed over this but still i think can discuss this issue with you guys here.
Lu 7:20 "And coming to Him, the men said, John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, Are You He who should come, or do we look for another?"
John the Baptist here was in prison already. This incident happend some time after he baptized the Lord Jesus and said of Him as :"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!!!!"
It may seem a surprise to us that one as strong as John the Baptist should doubt corcerning the Lord Jesus Christ being THE CHRIST. However, we must remember that the best of men suffer lapses of faith too.
REmember Abraham? Abraham was promised blessings in the land of promise.
But when severe famine entered the picture. What did he do? Did he stay in the land of promise and chose to trust God? No. He fled for Egypt instead of remaining in the place of God's choosing.
And there are so many ensamples of spiritual giants faltering in their faith.
It will be too volumious if we have to talk about Gideon, Jacob, Sarah and etc.
yes, my friend we experience doubts. However, you must know that doubt is not the opposite of faith. The opposite of faith is unbelief. You can have doubts and still have faith:
Mt 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
You can even have some degree of unbelief and still have faith:
Mr 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief
The man obviously had faith. He brought his son to the Lord Jesus Christ [in the first place].
but he was also assailed by unbelief.
This is so my friend because we are not completely ridden of our sinful nature. The moment you trusted in Christ alone for salvation, a new nature was implanted to you. But the sinful nature ,although nailed to the cross when Christ died for us, is still there and still rears it's ugly head.
My advice to you my friend is:
Keep on reading the Bible. Faith comes by hearing and so faith must grow also by continual hearing of the Word of God. Our spiritual food.
As you grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord, your spiritual muscles get stronger.
P.S. please do not hesitate to ask us questions here......it is our duty to help a fellow believer.
when i was still new in the faith.......i also had those doubts similar to yours. -
Thanks breytonhartge, vince, Ironside, for all your advice and encouragement This is a problem I've been struggling with and I wasn't sure if I can voice out freely in Eternal Hope. Thanks for your encouragements and advice.
It's just that sometimes I see fellow believers who're so strong in their faith, that I wonder if there is something wrong with me.
But I will continue to seek God and grow my mustard seed faith. -
you are most welcome, please feel free to ask any questions you may have, God bless you!Originally posted by le cruz:Thanks breytonhartge, vince, Ironside, for all your advice and encouragement This is a problem I've been struggling with and I wasn't sure if I can voice out freely in Eternal Hope. Thanks for your encouragements and advice.
It's just that sometimes I see fellow believers who're so strong in their faith, that I wonder if there is something wrong with me.
But I will continue to seek God and grow my mustard seed faith. -
Originally posted by Ironside:
Eh you mention JTB. But Christ looks on the good side. He commended JTB for his faith instead of his unbelief when he send his disciples to ask Him that question. Our sins are cleansed away. Praise God! So every time God looks at us, it will be as if we are sinless bcos of the blood of Jesus & the Cross. He will look at times when we are faithful instead of times when we were unfaithful. Thank God!
We all have our share of doubts my friend at some point in time. The apostles had their doubts....John the Baptist for one........the precursor of the Lord Jesus Christ even had his share of doubts:
Lu 7:20 "And coming to Him, the men said, [b]John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, Are You He who should come, or do we look for another?"
John the Baptist here was in prison already. This incident happend some time after he baptized the Lord Jesus and said of Him as :"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!!!!"
It may seem a surprise to us that one as strong as John the Baptist should doubt corcerning the Lord Jesus Christ being THE CHRIST. However, we must remember that the best of men suffer lapses of faith too.
REmember Abraham? Abraham was promised blessings in the land of promise.
But when severe famine entered the picture. What did he do? Did he stay in the land of promise and chose to trust God? No. He fled for Egypt instead of remaining in the place of God's choosing.
And there are so many ensamples of spiritual giants faltering in their faith.
It will be too volumious if we have to talk about Gideon, Jacob, Sarah and etc.
yes, my friend we experience doubts. However, you must know that doubt is not the opposite of faith. The opposite of faith is unbelief. You can have doubts and still have faith:
Mt 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
You can even have some degree of unbelief and still have faith:
Mr 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief
The man obviously had faith. He brought his son to the Lord Jesus Christ [in the first place].
but he was also assailed by unbelief.
This is so my friend because we are not completely ridden of our sinful nature. The moment you trusted in Christ alone for salvation, a new nature was implanted to you. But the sinful nature ,although nailed to the cross when Christ died for us, is still there and still rears it's ugly head.
My advice to you my friend is:
Keep on reading the Bible. Faith comes by hearing and so faith must grow also by continual hearing of the Word of God. Our spiritual food.
As you grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord, your spiritual muscles get stronger.
P.S. please do not hesitate to ask us questions here......it is our duty to help a fellow believer.
when i was still new in the faith.......i also had those doubts similar to yours. [/b] -
Most assurely I say,you're not alone. All Christians have their doubts. I know, if you read through my posts, you can tell that I'm really the most screwed Christian in EH.Originally posted by le cruz:Thanks breytonhartge, vince, Ironside, for all your advice and encouragement This is a problem I've been struggling with and I wasn't sure if I can voice out freely in Eternal Hope. Thanks for your encouragements and advice.
It's just that sometimes I see fellow believers who're so strong in their faith, that I wonder if there is something wrong with me.
But I will continue to seek God and grow my mustard seed faith. -
don't say that, you are just growing and seeking answers.Originally posted by fallin:Most assurely I say,you're not alone. All Christians have their doubts. I know, if you read through my posts, you can tell that I'm really the most screwed Christian in EH.
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No, that is not true. I've seen your posts and topics and you've asked many questions that opened the way for young christians to learn from their spiritual seniors here in EH. As a relatively new christian, I have to thank you for this as well.Originally posted by fallin:Most assurely I say,you're not alone. All Christians have their doubts. I know, if you read through my posts, you can tell that I'm really the most screwed Christian in EH.
I think this sharing of knowledge and testimony is good for the entire EH community, including forumites who visit EH but are not believers yet (whom i pray will come to know and follow Jesus and experience His love and grace in their lives)
I feel better knowing that I am not alone in experiencing doubts, but i also pray that we can only grow in our faith as we continue to seek the Lord.
Thanks for asking the questions that I would have asked. -
I don't care whether you're a screwed up xtian or good xtian .. whoever can increase rating is a good xtian.Originally posted by fallin:Most assurely I say,you're not alone. All Christians have their doubts. I know, if you read through my posts, you can tell that I'm really the most screwed Christian in EH.
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Originally posted by Icemoon:I don't care whether you're a screwed up xtian or good xtian .. whoever can increase rating is a good xtian.
Tell you what. Go start a forum and do your stuff there. -
i had enuff of ur posts that dun seemed to show ur personal conviction. sitting on the fence and reading abt christianity dun help.Originally posted by Icemoon:I don't care whether you're a screwed up xtian or good xtian .. whoever can increase rating is a good xtian.
decide for urself this day. who you will follow. -
I remember attending a bible study before and JtB's doubt actually made him well. If there is no doubt , how can his belief set in at the first place? get what i mean? So, it is natural for him to doubt Jesus at first as he had never seen him before anyway. It also applies to us , we have to be wary of false prophet today. I have heard there was this guy preaching that exactly at the year 2000 is Jesus' second coming . In the year 2000 , he disappeared and never turned up in church anymore.Originally posted by Ironside:It may seem a surprise to us that one as strong as John the Baptist should doubt corcerning the Lord Jesus Christ being THE CHRIST. However, we must remember that the best of men suffer lapses of faith too.
However , when u faced by doubt, read the bible like what Ironside said. Approach someone who is mature spiritually compared to u.
Do u doubt His existence? His plan? His power?
cheers Jesus loves us -
yup, I will read the bible assiduously.Originally posted by brown_obsession:I remember attending a bible study before and JtB's doubt actually made him well. If there is no doubt , how can his belief set in at the first place? get what i mean? So, it is natural for him to doubt Jesus at first as he had never seen him before anyway. It also applies to us , we have to be wary of false prophet today. I have heard there was this guy preaching that exactly at the year 2000 is Jesus' second coming . In the year 2000 , he disappeared and never turned up in church anymore.
However , when u faced by doubt, read the bible like what Ironside said. Approach someone who is mature spiritually compared to u.
Do u doubt His existence? His plan? His power?
cheers Jesus loves us and yeah, Jesus loves us. Amen to that.