Monday 19 August 2019

The Belief In Disbelief


This discussion is likely to become somewhat tortuous. But please hang in there. Try to follow my argument and, if you disagree, please write in and put me right.

We are at this point in time Christians. By whatever means or way we came to this point, be it cradle Christians, born and raised this way, or by conversion to Christianity, or whatever other route we took in life to get to where we are now; we are essentially Christians.

By this we mean basically that we believe in God. We believe that Jesus is His only Son, born of a virgin as a human here on earth, albeit He is/was God, He died for us, raised from the dead and went up to Heaven. And when there He sent us His Holy Spirit. These are the very basics of our beliefs.

Now some of us take these beliefs, put them at the back of our mind, and get on with our busy lives. Getting to work, raising a family, looking after our financial affairs, making sure we have enough savings for when we're ill or for old age; and we live our daily lives, shopping, cooking, taking the trash out every day ... that sort of thing. Life takes over and, although we believe, we still have to be realistic and get on with life.

Some of us, however, take our beliefs even more to heart. They are central to our lives, central to everything we do, they form and guide our every actions in life, to the point of our very existence; breathing even. Our beliefs are ourselves. We are our beliefs. We do not spend time fretting and worrying about the minutiae of life. God exists, He will take care of us, and of our needs.

Such a path of total unwavering beliefs, admirable and laudable though it is, is full of dangers and pitfalls in itself. Our total 100% reliance on our beliefs can in itself, at some point, lead one at times to question those very beliefs which have for so long shaped and formed our lives, our very existence, what we are now and what we have become.

We ask ourselves, is this all real? What led me to the point that I believe what I believe? What evidence is there for it? What proof? I believe through blind Faith; but what if it's all a fallacy, a myth, a man-made story and set of rules just to keep society in check. Our basic beliefs, the existence of an almighty god, having a son of virgin birth, his death, resurrection and the sending of his spirit are in themselves unbelievable.

That point of questioning to the point of doubts of our very beliefs, unbelievable as it seems, does occur to many of those who have followed a hitherto path of unwavering belief.

How is this so?

The devil, who does exist, make no mistake about that, takes our very unwavering belief as an opportunity to cast doubt and confusion in our mind. For he it is who, unaware by us, sheds the odd flash of questioning and uncertainty in our minds. It is he who aims to lead us astray from our beliefs and faith. After all, what is the point of him tempting those who don't believe? They are already in his camp. It's the others, those who believe, that he wants to recruit.

Usually, those who do not believe in God don't have any doubts about their beliefs. Have you noticed how unbelievers are always certain of their position? They believe they know for sure that God does not exist and are eager to prove it to you.

I often wonder about all the Saints we have read about. Were they all 100% totally dedicated to their beliefs and faith and were they all totally unwavering throughout their lives?

The answer is no. Most of them, if not all, had their moments of doubts, their moments of confusion and temptations. But they kept trying, through prayers, dedication, and perhaps outright stubbornness, they kept going on in their beliefs despite all the difficulties these gave rise too. No doubt, they were sinners too. Like you and me. But they kept on trying.

Despite their failings, their short-comings, and their weaknesses - Saints are sinners who kept on trying.

Hopefully ... like you and me.

20 comments:

  1. Being a mere human I do not have the answers to argue for the believers nor try to sway the non-believers. I can only speak for myself...faith and teachings is why I believe in God. i raised my family the way that I was raised...to believe in God. I do not wish to try to change the world because I do not have all of the answers~

    God's Blessings~

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    1. No one has all of the answers, Jan. God did not intend for us to have all the answers. Just to trust Him. The point I am making in this post is that the more we trust Him the harder the devil works to de-rail us from our Faith. The harder he makes us believe that God does not really exist. Hence our doubts in our Faith.

      God bless you my friend.

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  2. All I can say, Victor, is that I agree with you. We are all sinners and so were the Saints at one time. Christ died so we can be saved from ourselves. I believe.

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    1. You are right, Terri. Though we are sinners we should continue to believe.

      God bless.

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  3. I know that God is ALWAYS 'there', with us. How do I know this? Well, I once asked Him: 'Where were You when' ... and I then, listed a number of 'evil' & 'traumatic' events that had occurred in my life. God's response was immediate! He replied: "I was there, and I saw it all! How do you think you 'survived' all of that ... without Me ... without My Knowledge"? And, where do you think that the 'Peace that passes all understanding' came from AFTER those events -- if not from Me? It was My Peace that helped you to 'move on' from those traumas; and helped you to 'keep trying' to do 'good'! 'Fear not, for I am always 'there'-- especially, when you call on Me'!

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    1. Indeed, God is always there Suzanne. Although at times we do not feel His presence near us.

      God bless.

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  4. Satan will try every tactic in his book to fill our minds with doubts, and get us off track. That's when we need to pray the most, Victor. God is real; more real than you and me. And He is always, always there for us.
    Blessings, my friend!

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    1. Well said, Martha. Often, in our darkest hour, the devil tries his best to confuse us.

      God bless you always.

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  5. I believe that when we go off track, it is us who creates the doubt. We have no answers, therfore we must trust God. I don't believe in the devil. Any doubt is my fault and mine alone, that's just my opinion.

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    1. I am not sure I agree, Bill. We cannot possibly believe in God and not believe in the devil. He exists as a spirit very much as God is a Spirit - the Holy Spirit we proclaim every time we pray the Credo. https://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/2018/07/creed.html#comment-form

      God bless you my friend.

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  6. HE created us with minds that question. Not just question His existence, but question our own existence or the purpose behind it, at times. Yes, I doubt, but I also KNOW I have tangibly felt His presence many times. I have come to believe it is all or none---there is no rebuking parts and continuing this faith journey.

    Good post, Victor!
    Blessings!

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    1. I agree Lulu. And the more we have Faith the more we are tempted away from our Faith.

      God bless you.

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  7. Oftentimes I'm like the boy in Mark who cried, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" The Bible study our group just finished was Priscilla Shirer's "Armor of God" -- SO good! One line simply states, "The enemy is after your mind."

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    1. The quote from Mark is one of my favourites, Mevely. And I need it often. Yes, the enemy is after our mind. It is when we are tired, hungry, or bothered and concerned about something that he preys on our thoughts and tries to lead us astray. I have known such times often.

      God bless you.

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  8. God as seen me through some pretty hard times. Knowing He has gotten me through them makes my faith stronger as I get older and I know He will always be there!!
    We are all sinners but we who have accepted Jesus as our savior are forgiven! And for that I am truly thankful!!!

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    1. Thank you Happyone for a very comforting comment. I appreciate it.

      God bless you.

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  9. when people deny the existence of satan, he has already won.

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  10. Well put as always, Victor.

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