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Questions about faith

Why do we believers doubt what works when we pray or rely on the Holy Spirit within us and do miraculous things?

Spell casters and evil ones don't doubt that they got power from magic when they achieve something, why do believers in Christ doubt the power that is above those things and made the universe?

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GodsJoyfulGrace ·

@Wildfireablaze

I really appreciate your responses to this post. I would just like to add that from reading the Bible, I believe we can know the will of God.
3 John 1:2` says He wants us to prosper and be in health.
John 10:10` says Jesus came to give us abundant life.

John 10:10
1. I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.
Jesus wants us to have a full, good life — not just barely get by.
2. Psalm 37:4
`Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.`
When we’re close to Him, He cares about making us glad.
3. Romans 12:2
`...then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

I can relate to what you said and my heart really goes out to you. My father-in-law was such a devout faithful Christian. I've never seen any other more faithful. He had cancer and everyone prayed and prayed but he did pass away. That doesn't mean God didn't care. I know you know that, I'm just saying. We can't control when our appointed time is up. And sometimes, we can pray and pray, but if we don't take good care of our bodies and let them go, we can cause our own death, in many different ways. So I try to consider that as well. It would be strange if everyone who prayed for healing got healing in the world. Would there be anyone left? We can't use God like a genie, expecting him to give us everything we want every time we ask. Some things we ask for that are not good for us. But the point is, a person can pray but if they may be an unbeliever, no... that prayer is not going to be answered. Where there's no faith, there is no trust. The Bible says that we just can't turn to God and expect him to answer if he doesn't even know us. Some never pray and some want nothing to do with him so he cannot be expected to answer in that case. Love is a two-way relationship. Not one doing all the work.

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@GodsJoyfulGrace if we had faith without doubts, He would change it for us, but that's not as simple as people wish to think when the human mind is a mess and we in this generation are fractured at that

I remember one king of Israel was told by a messenger from God that he would die and to set his house in order, and he cried to God, and God gave him more time

GodsJoyfulGrace ·

@th3r0n yes I remember that story in the Bible. I have also asked God to extend my life. Humbly speaking, I don't think God would change anything about our doubts though. They are there for a reason so we can exercise our faith and grow in faith. Faith without effort doesn't seem like faith. It's in the growing and seeing our prayers answered that grows our faith.

Adstar · 56-60, M

The outcome of a request is in the hands of the one recieving the request.. Often times the reponse can be a NO.. It's all about the will of God, not our will..

(1 John 5:14-15) "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: {15} And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

So if there is doubt in a Christian it is if their prayer is in alignment with the will of God..

Richard65 · M

@Adstar so, the will of God can include the continued suffering of a small child until that child dies in pain and terror and his parents are utterly broken and bereft? Because, you know, "according his will..."

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Richard65 Yes God clearly allows suffering to happen on earth.. Until the way the world is now is brought to an end pain and suffering will be a constant on earth..

ElwoodBlues · M

@th3r0n says

Spell casters and evil ones don't doubt that they got power from magic when they achieve something

Maybe, maybe not.
But regardless of the conclusions drawn by spell casters, it doesn't prove their conclusions to be true. It's more likely an indicator of the power of superstition in human psychology.

AI description of superstition core characteristics

• Lack of Evidence: These beliefs have no scientific proof or logical cause-and-effect connection.
• Focus on Luck: They often involve rituals or objects meant to bring good fortune or ward off bad luck.
• Emotional Comfort: People often follow them to feel a sense of control over uncertain situations.

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ElwoodBlues · M

@th3r0n You can't explain why the Bible repeatedly refers to the 'four corners of the Earth' so instead you throw insults at me. SAD!!

Isaiah 11:12 — And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Rev 7:1 — And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Rev 20:8 — And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Ezekiel 7:2 — Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@ElwoodBlues Job is referred to as the richest man in the east, we are told things if we actually read, instead of playing victim instead of admitting "the guy who translated this to English didn't think the world was found so he translated that word to corners"

ElwoodBlues · M

@th3r0n says

Job is referred to as the richest man in the east,

And 'east' here refers to the land of Uz, frequently linked to Edom. Job's herds were raided by the Chaldeans, who came from further east. Your quote actually supports my point: the bible had different words for 'corner' and the direction 'east.'

"the guy who translated this to English didn't think the world was found so he translated that word to corners"

Well, the various guys who translated each of those 4 books I quoted. Similarly, the guy who translated something as 'spell casters' believed in such superstitions, and so wrote a translation supporting his belief.

I'm not saying my interpretation is necessarily correct and yours is necessarily wrong, I'm saying that both 'corners' and 'spell casters' are equally subject to translation errors, and neither is supported by anything in modern science.

OutoftheGloom · 46-50, F

I think the biggest reason is we don't feel worthy for God to answer our prayers but actually it's the wrong way of thinking because it was never about us and our worth and always about God. The fact that God responds to us even though none of us are worthy is further reflection on how loving and merciful he is. I'm just pouring out here, my God is so awesome and I love him so much. It's my prayer that everyone here will know God and allow him to show them what he can do in their lives. Xx

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GodsJoyfulGrace ·

@OutoftheGloom Amen, sister. To all.

OutoftheGloom · 46-50, F

@GodsJoyfulGrace thank you Grace. You are so lovely. Keep shining your light 🥰

GodsJoyfulGrace ·

@OutoftheGloom

Your an angel. So are you lovely. ♥🫂

th3r0n · 41-45, M

Like believers in Christ sometimes even wonder if it was really God who answered their prayer after seeking His power and getting it, we doubt for some reason rather than having a perfect faith, after seeing miracles time and time again

A true believer can't doubt the power of God to exist or His power to be absolute after feeling it, but so many times those who have had answered prayers doubt even that because they have not known the Holy Spirit within them like a fire

That power inside is undeniable, and can cast out demons, and feels like living fire giving hope and life and strength, but even after knowing that, I doubt myself, my worthiness to receive, even after the Spirit of the Living God has cast out unclean spirits for me from others and done many good things for me and others before my eyes

GodsJoyfulGrace ·

@th3r0n Some are being dismissive, not curious. Just want to get a rise out of believers. When they get to that point, I stop answering. Period. If there's no respect shown for each other.

Exactly as you said, yet we must also consider that we don't go by feelings because feelings can be misread and can be fickle, but instead we walk by faith, not by sight. Amen.

God doesn't need defending. He needs faith and trust from people. He speaks for himself through all the Miracles we still see today, because God is the same today as he was yesterday... over 2,000 years ago. He still answers prayer even where doubt abides. We don't fight FOR God. We rest IN Him. And pray that God will send his holy spirit to speak to the hearts of unbelievers. I'm thankful that we can be ministers for God to tell the good news of Salvation through him, but it's not our responsibility to convince people. The Holy spirit will do that. I know you know that, I'm just reiterating. I agree 100% with you. I also believe a soft answer turns away wrath.

Wildfireablaze · 56-60, F

I do no doubt and have seen miracles and have seen prayers answered with a resounding no. It is all waiting and trusting what is the will of God.

MasterLee · 56-60, M

Cthulu will guide you

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@MasterLee Cthulhu likely guided many, but me and my house, we will serve Adonai Elohiym

Atari2678 · 41-45, M

When you start questioning your faith that is a sign to start studying more about it . It's ok to do it , but to stop believing will weaken your foundation on the gospel .

GodsJoyfulGrace ·

@Atari2678 beautifully stated

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@Atari2678 that's definite, but the question is why anyone would doubt God, why see His power clearly and evidently

GodsJoyfulGrace ·

@th3r0n I think because we're human and when we get down because Satan makes us get down at times or we feel like God is silent at times when he's actually not, that can happen in an imperfect world. Even the disciples doubted at times, look at Thomas. God understands.

Richard65 · M

Don't we have free will since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit? Why do the faithful pray? God won't answer your prayers. He gave us free will. That means he doesn't interfere on earth.

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Wildfireablaze · 56-60, F

I @Richard65 I wish I could tell you why at times He has heard me and answered how I expected or even knew and other times He hasn’t responded in a way that I had wished Him too.I do not think I am special not anything near perfect yet know I am His daughter. God is no respector of persons but sees hearts and intentions of hearts. I do not believe in luck, chance or random. I could answer in more depth and perhaps I will in the future. I respect that you believe how you do.

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@Richard65 the Bible doesn't talk about free will, it talks about the tree of good and evil

Richard65 · M

@th3r0n you didn't address my point. If the Bible doesn't specifically call it free will (though it can be interpreted as such) then the only reason for childhood cancer is that God chooses to inflict pain and anguish on innocent children when he doesn’t need to. You have to concede that abhorrent fact, yes? Please answer the question.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

Who needs god when the Placebo effect is so well documented as science?😷

BlueSkyKing · M

No such thing as magic and praying is the same as spellcasting. Neither is effective.

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BlueSkyKing · M

@th3r0n Tell us most of the "best" scientists believe in magic too.

Science doesn’t require belief. Evidence is detectable, measurable, can be tested repeatedly, and is falsifiable.

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@BlueSkyKing such information isn't specified that I know of, creation is what their common belief was, all true too scientists anyway

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@BlueSkyKing as to the picture, that's why I don't like modern translations

The literal translation from 1868 and the Geneva Bible and the KJV were independently translated by entirely different groups of people and say the same things, but many modern versions don't

Fyi, scientific beliefs based on available information have been changing this whole time but recurrent scientific information, some of which we are recently finally able to verify, is in the Bible

AdmiralPrune · M

A true believer is sedated by gospel until they cannot think for themselves. They accept whatever outcome as god’s will.

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AdmiralPrune · M

@GodsJoyfulGrace People pray, and it’s no different to flipping a coin or wishing on a star.

If events match the prayer, god answered the prayer. If it didn’t, it’s god will.

In the 21st century this is a frankly ridiculous attitude.

And no amount of quoting ancient fiction will make a difference.

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@AdmiralPrune dude I was watching my at the time 2000 BMW 328CI that was lowered before I got it slide down a snowy hill with me not in it and it was about to hit a deep place with a narrow area where the car couldn't go over it without bottoming out at any angle, but I cried out on the moment "God help me, no!", and at that very moment I saw it change course (and the course change was seen in the snow) and it spun just right to not bottom out and rested on a fence with no damage

There literally wasn't any way to do it but spin just like that and I can't imagine getting that with 50 tries, but it happened right when I called out to the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and He has answered me in many things and even cast out demons for me in the name of Jesus, though I be not worthy

AdmiralPrune · M

@th3r0n You got lucky and you attributed it to your imaginary friend. That’s all.

emyphant · 26-30, F

It's not real.

Want proof?

Walk into a hospital and ask someone to be healed in the name of Christ.

They didn't suddenly get out of bed?

What a surprise.

It's all in your head.

th3r0n · 41-45, M

@emyphant such things have happened, when neither lacked faith

Believing something will happen with no hidden doubt inside isn't as easy as you're making it sound

ImperialAerosolKidFromEP · 51-55, M

@emyphant how would you know?

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