Doubt Versus Unbelief

[April_Rose]

I've had these discussions on other Christian forums before and I thought that it would also be important to start here because I'm not learning anymore on this issue I'm teaching. For I always used to believe that God would punish me whenever I started doubting my faith in Him for whatever reason.




My faith is much stronger now and I've learned that all of those doubts are placed in my mind by the devil and thankfully God doesn't judge on thoughts and feelings, He judges the heart and doubt is different from unbelief because you want to believe even though you doubt and have a relationship with Jesus Christ, unbelief is basically saying that you're not interested and don't have a repenting heart. I also use this song to help me get through troubling times like these.

 

[farouk]

I've had these discussions on other Christian forums before and I thought that it would also be important to start here because I'm not learning anymore on this issue I'm teaching. For I always used to believe that God would punish me whenever I started doubting my faith in Him for whatever reason.




My faith is much stronger now and I've learned that all of those doubts are placed in my mind by the devil and thankfully God doesn't judge on thoughts and feelings, He judges the heart and doubt is different from unbelief because you want to believe even though you doubt and have a relationship with Jesus Christ, unbelief is basically saying that you're not interested and don't have a repenting heart. I also use this song to help me get through troubling times like these.

@April_Rose I do love Hebrews 11, with its long list of Old Testament individuals who acted "by faith", "by faith", "by faith", in the midst of their trials and tribulations.

 

[April_Rose]

Also, I've also learned that if I wasn't saved then I wouldn't be concerned about keeping my salvation. :)

 

[farouk]

Also, I've also learned that if I wasn't saved then I wouldn't be concerned about keeping my salvation. :)

Philippians 1.6...

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

 

[historyb]

I am like King David I have doubts then I get over, then I have doubts then I get over it, rinse and repeat :)

 

[Nancy]

Faith in His provisions and to keep mw from temptation has grown tremendously for me. I don't worry anymore, at all...although, I do have concerns of course, for my nieces and nephews and many others that are not saved. But then, I think of when one of my brothers told me that our mom said that God assured and gave her a peace that all 7 of us would come to the Lord. She did not live to see 5 of us come to Him, but we all did. So, The prayers for my unsaved loved ones and friends have turned into more like prayers of thanking Him that it is His will none should perish and that He hears our prayers. He truly has given me that "peace that surpasses all understanding, yet, the doubt that can plague me is, does He really love me?? Am I really saved?
That is why I have sometimes pull back from this board because I can sometimes come away feeling very unsaved, or that I lost my salvation...steals my hope and joy, I'm praying God will answer some of my questions regarding all of this. Still waiting on Him :)
xo

 

[April_Rose]

I found a list of questions that helped reassure me of my salvation.


1. Do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for my sins and rose again three days later? YES (Despite the doubt in my mind that's my heart's answer.)


2. Have I believed in my mind and confessed that Jesus is Lord and repented of my sins? YES


3. Do I follow the teachings of Christ? Well,.. I'm not perfect of course but I try to which is really all that the Lord expects of me since unlike Him He knows that I'm not sinless.


4. Do I feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Even though it makes me feel really guilty yes I do and I usually repent directly afterwards.


5. Do I try not to sin and stay righteous? OF COURSE!!



6. Finally I believe in John 3:16,.. and the fact that I worry SO much about keeping my salvation assures me that I have it and Satan is just trying to mess with me. I once worried that I committed the unforgiveable sin, but since I was worried about it I knew that I couldn't have committed it. So all these things tell me that I'm going to Heaven someday. :)

 

[Nancy]

I found a list of questions that helped reassure me of my salvation.


1. Do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for my sins and rose again three days later? YES (Despite the doubt in my mind that's my heart's answer.)


2. Have I believed in my mind and confessed that Jesus is Lord and repented of my sins? YES


3. Do I follow the teachings of Christ? Well,.. I'm not perfect of course but I try to which is really all that the Lord expects of me since unlike Him He knows that I'm not sinless.


4. Do I feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Even though it makes me feel really guilty yes I do and I usually repent directly afterwards.


5. Do I try not to sin and stay righteous? OF COURSE!!



6. Finally I believe in John 3:16,.. and the fact that I worry SO much about keeping my salvation assures me that I have it and Satan is just trying to mess with me. I once worried that I committed the unforgiveable sin, but since I was worried about it I knew that I couldn't have committed it. So all these things tell me that I'm going to Heaven someday. :)

Hi April Rose,
The fiery darts of the devil are constant and, he does get his shots in. BUT...once we realize how he works, it becomes more and more clear that these thoughts are not from God but from the evil one. You asked yourself some good questions concerning doubt as, I think we all have them from time to time. Have you ever re3ad the book Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis? It is one of my favorite books of his and, it really brings out how Satan works.
"In July 1940, Lewis came up with the idea of a senior demon named Screwtape mailing trade secrets and frank pointers to his greenhorn nephew, Wormwood, who has been charged with corrupting a human soul. Inspired, the author worked at breakneck speed, frequently knocking out an entire letter in one sit-down session."

I've read it a good many times and it always keeps me in check when certain thoughts enter the mind...we know Satan kills, steals and destroys every good thing and he hates us with a passion.
Good post sister.

 

[April_Rose]

I've never read it but I know it's true,.. and another reason I know that I'm obviously saved,.. Satan wouldn't be working so hard to try and convince me otherwise. He already done lost when I got baptized a couple of years ago but he never accepts defeat.

 

[Nancy]

I've never read it but I know it's true,.. and another reason I know that I'm obviously saved,.. Satan wouldn't be working so hard to try and convince me otherwise. He already done lost when I got baptized a couple of years ago but he never accepts defeat.

For sure! The devil does NOT bother with someone if they are not The Lord's...he already has them where he want's them.

 

[April_Rose]

Also can I just say that thank the Lord that our salvation isn't based upon feelings.

 

[April_Rose]

I really love this song because I always say that the day I got baptized Jesus gained a soul and Satan definitely lost a good right arm for how wicked I used to be before I found Christ. You can also bet that the applause in that church wasn't as nearly as big and as loud as the one in Heaven.