How to deal with self doubt about your faith?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,023
4,444
113
Do you see a difference between non-believers and fake Christians?
There is no difference. They are both the same.

Do you?


Matthew 13:24-29

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
There is no difference. They are both the same.

Do you?


Matthew 13:24-29

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
I do see a difference. Non-believers who show up at church are usually searching for something. Fake Christians aren't searching. An example is Catholics. The teachings of that religion do not ever produce repentance and salvation. I can't say there are no saved Catholics, but you would have to reject the teachings to get to the truth. So, using Catholics (fake Christians) as an example, they are not searching for anything because they believe the teachings of their religion. Non-believers don't believe anything and as I said, if they come to church, they are usually searching for something.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,023
4,444
113
I had believed on Jesus. Not sure what you mean by repentance. People have different definitions of repentance. I have asked Jesus to be both my Lord and Savior and I do desire to follow him. I know I often fall short like we all do.
Lets look at what Jesus said about repentance before he died.

John 16:7-9
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

So you have done that.

We all fall short but do we have to repent of falling short or confess we have fallen short and thank God that he has forgiven us?
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,023
4,444
113
I do see a difference. Non-believers who show up at church are usually searching for something. Fake Christians aren't searching. An example is Catholics. The teachings of that religion do not ever produce repentance and salvation. I can't say there are no saved Catholics, but you would have to reject the teachings to get to the truth. So, using Catholics (fake Christians) as an example, they are not searching for anything because they believe the teachings of their religion. Non-believers don't believe anything and as I said, if they come to church, they are usually searching for something.
I think we will have to agree to disagree?
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
Lets look at what Jesus said about repentance before he died.

John 16:7-9
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

So you have done that.

We all fall short but do we have to repent of falling short or confess we have fallen short and thank God that he has forgiven us?
Well one can’t repent of falling short because after one’s says they repent of falling short, that one will fall short again. It is good to confess that we fall short and thank God for his forgiveness because of Jesus.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
Interesting points you raise.

With your second paragraph I totally agree with the focus.
With the focus comes back on ourselves then it's not on Jesus.
Basically we move out of the zone. The zone being the focus.
In golf, golfers focus on all aspects of their game so when they play it's natural.
When things start to go wrong they try to correct it, so they start to tweak what is natural to them to something that is not. Simple thing like adjusting their grip.
Therefore out of the zone.

The same is for us.
But why so?
The list can be long and quite complicated and deep.

I think I disagree with the thoughts you concerning being unworthy.
This comes across to me as if we should always feel that way as believers.

I would say this is not the case because I say we are worthy of Gods love and acceptance, not based on what we do, who we are or think we are.

If we live that way then it's a burden we are carrying and a weight.

We are worthy based on our faith as result of accepting Jesus.

I always say to people that as a result of God is our Father, we are children of God just like Jesus.

God loves us as much as he loves Jesus, and nothing can separate us from that love.

That's the foundation of our lives, that's the zone we should always be in.
When we come out of that zone we must always come back to it regardless of feelings.

We are not sinners in the eyes of God but Saints, he sees us as he see Jesus.
We are hidden in him.

You say

"I believe our doubt is a result of self-centeredness instead of Christ-cenreredness"
Totally agree.
Couple of posts seem indicate works/actions and/or lack of them indicate we have no faith.

If we always put the focus on that then the focus is off Jesus.
Keep the focus on Jesus then works will follow.
We are children of God because of works, we are children because of Jesus.
Do you believe Jesus is God?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,059
5,705
113
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.
we need to partake of this faith and let it grow into the faith of Christ

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭

we doubt because the world is always offering us reasons and suggestions to doubt. The doctor tells us we have 18 months to live , science tells us the proof isn’t there , things like that we hear rather than what Jesus spoke for us to believe and give us faith . If it’s what Jesus taught and said it’s going to endure and come to pass

Jesus word is faith like this

“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
‭‭John‬ ‭11:43-44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

he speaks to the dead and they rise up

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He speaks to the elements and the waves and wind still because they have no choice the creator has spoken it and it is

“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He speaks to devils and wicked spirits and they obey because it’s the word of the lord God that spun the galaxies into motion and caused darkness to shine forth light

Gods word is where faith is found

Imagine what the world of science and medicine , scholars and wise men and sadly even Christians would say about this

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:22-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

But faith asks “ what does the creator and Lord over all say about it “?

just knowing who Jesus is and acknowledging his power and our weakness creates something special allowing us to put our trust in what he has said because we know it cannot fail he is the creator of everything we see and he spoke it forth creation heard his voice , and it was so

When a man hears the lords word and acts in belief this happens

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And

Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I would say for us to have strong faith we need to look away from ourselves and our doubts , and focus our attention on the Lord Jesus and hear the words of faith

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s the source of all faith we need only to hold strong to his word and faith is planted and will grow
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
yes but they where not their 2 be baptised who would warn them of the anger of god.He did tell them to repent
actually they were...they wanted to be baptised

Why did John the baptised turn them away then. He was at the river baptising all these people.

You might want to read the chapter again.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
Cheries, you say believe but you dont know what repentence means??

Ok this is a problem then. How could you be baptised without repenting?
How do you know youve been forgiven when you dont even know what to repent of...?

And youve just kinda told us you have fear/anxiety. What are you afraid of? Jesus tells us not to fear but you are doing it..being fearful. You held on instead of surrendering all your fears and worries to God. Its like you dont trust Him competely!
 
Aug 20, 2021
1,863
310
83
actually they were...they wanted to be baptised

Why did John the baptised turn them away then. He was at the river baptising all these people.

You might want to read the chapter again.
k
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
Ok here is the sin,
confess it to God, tell Him you are sorry that youve been holding back, that you have been afraid

There is NO reason to be afraid of Him.

its ok lots of people do this not just you. but you need to confess it to Him.

cos otherwise, on your deathbed or whatver manner that you die, when the angels come for you but you say wait. um I dont know if I really want you to take me, Im scared of you....well..., what is that? You not trusting Him?
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
Cheries, you say believe but you dont know what repentence means??

Ok this is a problem then. How could you be baptised without repenting?
How do you know youve been forgiven when you dont even know what to repent of...?

And youve just kinda told us you have fear/anxiety. What are you afraid of? Jesus tells us not to fear but you are doing it..being fearful. You held on instead of surrendering all your fears and worries to God. Its like you dont trust Him competely!
I was saying that people have different views on what repentance means.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
Ok here is the sin,
confess it to God, tell Him you are sorry that youve been holding back, that you have been afraid

There is NO reason to be afraid of Him.

its ok lots of people do this not just you. but you need to confess it to Him.

cos otherwise, on your deathbed or whatver manner that you die, when the angels come for you but you say wait. um I dont know if I really want you to take me, Im scared of you....well..., what is that? You not trusting Him?
I don’t think fear or anxiety is a sin.

If I saw the angels come for me on a death bed, I think I would actually find that comforting.
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
I don’t think fear or anxiety is a sin.

If I saw the angels come for me on a death bed, I think I would actually find that comforting.

Philippians 4
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
Philippians 4
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Those are good verses. I know there are different views on if anxiety is sin. I honestly don’t see anxiety as sin.
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
Those are good verses. I know there are different views on if anxiety is sin. I honestly don’t see anxiety as sin.
Anything that is not perfect is sin. Sin doesn't have to be some outrageous thing. I think we often misunderstand what sin is. It is simply missing the mark of perfection. Being anxious is definitely missing that mark, as is pretty much everything we do, think and say. When we choose to be anxious about something we are missing out on the peace that trusting in God brings. We lose.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
Cheries, you say believe but you dont know what repentence means??

Ok this is a problem then. How could you be baptised without repenting?
How do you know youve been forgiven when you dont even know what to repent of...?

And youve just kinda told us you have fear/anxiety. What are you afraid of? Jesus tells us not to fear but you are doing it..being fearful. You held on instead of surrendering all your fears and worries to God. Its like you dont trust Him competely!
Many churches today don't use the word repentance .