Testing God. Asking to prove that He is Real

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Is it ok to ask God to prove He is real?

  • Yes

    Votes: 7 77.8%
  • No

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • Total voters
    9

TheAngelBand

New Member
Jan 29, 2020
13
17
3
58
Virginia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
As a pastor, I recently was asked to answer this question. As we know, we're warned in Matthew 4:7 not to test the Lord, but this person was genuinely asking God to show Himself to them.

I give my answer in my video, but I'm always interested in what others think! So how would you respond if someone asked you, "Is it ok to ask God to prove He is real?"


May the Lord add His blessing to His Word!
 

Helen

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2011
15,476
21,155
113
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
@TheAngelBand

I have known some people who have asked God to speak to them and show them that He is real. The people I know all have wonderful testimonies of how God answered their prayer.. Some had very dramatic conversions.
 

TheAngelBand

New Member
Jan 29, 2020
13
17
3
58
Virginia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Yes indeed! We know all too well that sometimes it is difficult to believe without seeing (as Thomas did John 20:24). So I believe it is important for people to know that God wants us to know He is real more than anything and has no problem revealing Himself to those who genuinely seek Him. Answered prayers and testimonies are all evidence of the great joy He has in doing so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

mjrhealth

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2009
11,810
4,090
113
Australia
Faith
Christian
Country
Australia
As a pastor, I recently was asked to answer this question. As we know, we're warned in Matthew 4:7 not to test the Lord, but this person was genuinely asking God to show Himself to them.

I give my answer in my video, but I'm always interested in what others think! So how would you respond if someone asked you, "Is it ok to ask God to prove He is real?"


May the Lord add His blessing to His Word!
There is a big difference between asking God to show Himself, which He delites in, and Jumping off a cliff and asking God to save you
 

TheAngelBand

New Member
Jan 29, 2020
13
17
3
58
Virginia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Indeed. A good follow up question is to ask someone "what would it take?" What would it take to believe. Usually one can find something in their lives they've been struggling with that they can pray on, and all too often are amazed at what their trust in the Lord leads to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
As a pastor, I recently was asked to answer this question. As we know, we're warned in Matthew 4:7 not to test the Lord, but this person was genuinely asking God to show Himself to them.

I give my answer in my video, but I'm always interested in what others think! So how would you respond if someone asked you, "Is it ok to ask God to prove He is real?"


May the Lord add His blessing to His Word!
Hello Angel! Welcome here.
Would asking God to reveal Himself to us personally be the same as testing Him?
I'm not talking parlor tricks, lol..."Blessed is He who believes without seeing" "It is impossible to please Him without faith".
 

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Just watched your video, very good! My question now is that the Word say's it rains on the just and the unjust so, does that mean He also blesses the unbelievers who are blessed many times? I know what you mean about "getting out of financial trouble, getting a job, etc...and YES, I do believe God has done all of that and more in answer to my prayers. When I walked in un belief and a Christian would tell me how they were blessed, my thoughts would go totally to the world thinking 'well, that would have happened anyhow'....like healings and such. I now believe that ALL of it was only from God because, it sure was not from Satan! All good things come from His hand :)
 

TheAngelBand

New Member
Jan 29, 2020
13
17
3
58
Virginia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
In the context of this discussion, the last line of your comment holds the answer. All good things come from His hand, and when unbelievers receive a blessing in their lives it's an opportunity to recognize God's hand in everything. Conversely, when a trial comes into their lives it is also a similar opportunity to see the Lord working in their lives to lead them to Him. Excellent question! I'm sure others have more to add on this vast topic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
In the context of this discussion, the last line of your comment holds the answer. All good things come from His hand, and when unbelievers receive a blessing in their lives it's an opportunity to recognize God's hand in everything. Conversely, when a trial comes into their lives it is also a similar opportunity to see the Lord working in their lives to lead them to Him. Excellent question! I'm sure others have more to add on this vast topic.

For sure! I have come to see trials as opportunities to test my faith, to strengthen it...although, it is easy to say this when NOT in the storm presently yet...I KNOW He always comes through for me. Such short memories we have sometimes, lol.
 

Windmillcharge

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2017
2,934
1,823
113
68
London
Faith
Christian
Country
United Kingdom
As a pastor, I recently was asked to answer this question. As we know, we're warned in Matthew 4:7 not to test the Lord, but this person was genuinely asking God to show Himself to them.

I give my answer in my video, but I'm always interested in what others think! So how would you respond if someone asked you, "Is it ok to ask God to prove He is real?

May the Lord add His blessing to His Word!

Two simple questions.
1/ what evidence would convince you?
2/ what will you do if shown that evidence?

As part of the discussion following those questions I would want to know how he explained the existence of everything?
If unable to give a reason for why everything exist I would point out that God is the only reasonable explanation why everything is.
 

Taken

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Encounter Team
Feb 6, 2018
24,505
12,924
113
United States
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Testing God. Asking to prove that He is Real <-- OP

No.


Yes.

I believe God does want people to be inquisitive and learn ABOUT Him.

However I also believe; God is All knowing,
And Knows the individuals INTENT / (motive).

The question pointed to a person Asking God, IF He is real. IF He isn't, WHO then is that person talking to?

I think a majority of people are more likely to ask an other person, they know Believes, to prove "to them " that God Exists.

People do not KNOW an others intent / motive. Off-hand I Would guess a Believer would first think, oh, that person wants to believe too...however that is not always the case.

Scripture teaches; Gods method of proof.

He revealed to men, what was "going to" happen...and God said wait and see IF What He said, came to pass.

Examples...of "it SHALL come to pass;
Gen. 4:14. - Gen. 12:12 - Gen 23:40 -
Ex 1:10 - Ex 16:5 - Num 5:27

God Said:
Nun 11:23
[23] And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee OR NOT.

And the Reader ALSO...can believe the Recorded Testimony in Scripture ... OR NOT.

(On the back story...God began by Speaking to Mankind. The frustration of mankind was Man wanted To SEE God.
We all know, Gods Pure Light Brightness would incinerate a HUMAN man whose human eyes were to Look at God...thus God directed men To HEAR His Word...and LOOK At the "Results" of Gods POWER.)

Jesus did something Similar;
Jesus Came IN the FLESH, (in the LIKENESS as a man) SO men Could SEE God with their human eyes. We all know, men Could SEE Jesus...however we all know, the Jews were Not particularly impressed, that Jesus came Without: pomp, wealth, status, power...<--
According TO man's Mindful Logical Understanding.

Bit by bit, Jesus spoke, people were curious to Listen...particularly, when Challenged BY certain people, Whose Intent and Motive, WAS to outsmart Jesus By atTEMPTing to put Jesus on the spot of DEFENSE.

Jesus had a comeback:
Paraphrasing:
* You tell me and I'll tell you.
* Is the best course of action to tend to the care of another's NEEDS, man or an animal (Your food source), on the Sabbath, or let it be or perhaps perish?
* Is Any day, not prosperous, IF a man has served God in way, pleasing unto God?

* Without consideration of certain men Trying to discredit Jesus...
* bit by bit Jesus began Revealing Himself, "as" THE Christ, "having" THE POWER of God "WITH" Him...
* and" then, Revealing, The POWER of God is "IN" Him.
* and Later Revealing, He "IS" the POWER of God.

* Jesus performs; (By His Word ), before the Eyes of men...(What men called, miracles, they believed, only possible to be Accomplished, but By the POWER of God).

* Water to wine
* The blind to see
* The lame to walk
* The evil spirit to be commanded to leave a man
* The DEAD to rise up back to living

And then also, as God did in the OT, Jesus, said...

John 10:
[37] If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
[38] But if I do, though ye believe not me,

BELIEVE the WORKS: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Most humans fail at Hearing ONLY...
NOT news to God...that SEEING trips the curiosity of a human.

God has put in place a failsafe for humans.


Hearing Knowledge is the Beginning of Faith.

The Beginning of Knowledge comes by communication/ exposure, hearing.

And We KNOW FAITH is a Gift from God.

Every time, ANY person IS Hearing the Word of God...It is called, enLIGHTenment.
(God IS Light, His Word IS Light)

A man receiving Gods Word, IS the man being Enlightened...it is a foolproof method. A man can not UN-hear, what he just Heard.

Every time a man IS Hearing the Word of God...God is Gifting that man, MEASURES of FAITH.

MEASURES of FAITH to a mans Carnal (Logical) MIND?
** No.
MEASURES of FAITH to a man (Natural Hearts True Thoughts ?)
** Yes.

WILL a natural man... instantly BELIEVE?
Unlikely.

A natural man ALREADY is personally Conflicted within himself.
Meaning: people have the Natural ability to Know in their Hearts thoughts their of own TRUTH between right and wrong / GOOD and EVIL...
Yet their Carnal Mind can Logically devise reasonings to Supersede their Hearts TRUTH, and plot and carry out Deception.

So absolutely A BEGINNER, experiencing enLIGHTenment...WILL Also experience DOUBT, wonderings, hard to believe, in the Beginning.

We witnessed that with Jesus' chosen Disciples.
* We have revealed to us; Jesus' Disciples wavering between Belief and Doubt.
* We also have revealed to us; the Consequences of ONE who chose To Continue being enLIGHTened and ONE who QUIT...at their "Beginning stage".

Gods Gift of Enlightment and MEASURES of FAITH ARE Gifts from God...Because...
He IS merciful and extends His Mercy forward to men, Through His Offerings and By His Grace.

It is NOT a Gift Forced on man, IT IS an Offering...that men CAN freely TAKE, CONTINUE Taking, or Quit and Walk Away.

We have the knowledge of:
the Consequences...
Of a man who Begins Hearing, and Continues
(his Gifts INCREASE)
CONTINUES on to be Called Saved unto God.
AND
the Consequences...
Of a man who Begins Hearing, and Quits.
(his Gifts DECREASE)
QUITS receiving Gods Faith and is Called having Fallen from Faith.

So in a nutshell, toward an unbeliever, who may want a believer to PROVE Gods Existance...for starters...turn to declaring what God declared...He is the CREATER and MAKER...
Ask them to reveal WHO else has declared the same.

Ask their motive...IS it because they Want to Believe...or simply want a Debate?

If they want to Believe...SPEAK and show them ... all things begin with an Introduction...then getting to know About the subject...diligence to come into Understanding of the Knowledge...and Lastly, a diligent person will obtain the PRIZE Gift of coming to KNOW the Lord God, and have HIS POWER Gifted to be...with-IN the person.

Think on that... Really would you think a man FOOLISH to turn down that opportunity?

Glory to God,
Taken
 

DPMartin

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2014
2,698
794
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
as we know no one can prove there is a God, only God can prove He is. we also know that to know is via revelation and or experience (both the same really) and why would anyone put their trust into something they don't know? the Holy Spirit is the Presence of God therefore to be born thereof is to experience revelation then you will know.

its the Spirit of God that moves and reveals the Truth of God to those who would be and are faithful.
 

Stan B

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2019
1,967
983
113
81
Toronto
www.facebook.com
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
I give my answer in my video, but I'm always interested in what others think! So how would you respond if someone asked you, "Is it ok to ask God to prove He is real?"

May the Lord add His blessing to His Word!
Much of your video focused upon looking back, and seeing what God has done for you, and I agree. As a 77 year old, over the years I have observed that God's presence is most clearly seen in the rearview mirror!

After committing my life to Christ as a teenager, I recall that first year, when I was mystified why could observe no change taking place in my life. At the end of that year, I remember, looking back. And though I had observed no changes during that year, as I looked back, I realized that I did not even recognize the person I used to be!

Now, at age 77, as I look back, I can clearly see where He has been with me every step of the way. The miracles that have occurred in my life, are too far beyond possibility to not recognize His hand in all of this.