Why is it that no one can explain how to believe?

Question

I get the bit where faith defies logic and explanations, but no one has been able to explain how to let go of logic and reason and just BELIEVE.

Answer 1

In order to achieve this you need to be either
a) born into an ignorant belief system and never leave it
or
b) lobotomize yourself.

Hopefully you are not considering either of these things as a good idea.

Answer 2

Sister, you just asked a MOUTHFUL. I'll try to give you a complete answer.

There IS a how-to-book that explains how to believe -- it's called The Bible. The more you read it, the more you understand it (like your question).

Faith doesn't defy logic. Every science (which considers itself highly logical) relies on beliefs which are call "theories", and are often accepted as facts. Just recall some of the past "theories" (like the earth is flat) that were disproven -- and you'll see that beliefs / theories are entirely logical -- they're simply best answer to a given question that we have, given what we currently know.

Faith doesn't DEFY explanations -- Faith IS an explanation. :) I have faith in God because his existence and love are the best answer I have to the big questions in life -- things like "What is the meaning of life?" "Why are we here?" and "What is my purpose?".

If you can't hold onto your logic and reason, and have "Faith", then it's not really faith -- it's just a lukewarm belief of the moment, with no foundation. READ THE BIBLE -- God created us with minds, and expects us to use them (Proverbs).

There's nothing "just" about believing. Real Faith requires reading, thinking, praying and discussing. Even questioning what you read, think, and hear. Real Faith is based on the strength of your connection to God -- God is always there, waiting. All you have to do is turn to him. May he always bless you.

Answer 3

Well, I'm not really of the mind that you need to "let go" of your logic to believe. Faith is not believing something you are not convinced of or something that goes against your reason, it is the act of holding to what you already KNOW to be true--even when you no longer FEEL it to be true.

Let me give an example from C. S. Lewis: He had a horrible fear of medical operations. He knew that he would be out cold durring an operation, he was convinced by the evidence and his own past experience. Yet, even though he believed this, when he would lie down on the hospital bed fear would grip him--he would fear that the doctors would start cutting before he was under, or that he'd wake up durring the operation. His act of faith was clinging to what he knew to be true--that he would be properly under for the operation--even though, at that moment, that wasn't what he was feeling at all.

So faith is an act of will. Not a silencing of your intellect, but an embracing of your convinctions in the face of changing mental and emotional states.

Does that help answer your question? Feel free to contact me with further questions if you feel like it.

Answer 4

I don't think their is a way to define that. It's like trying to define love, it is just something we feel inside us and know is right. Faith is a very strong emotion and feeling, but to put it into words is impossible. Everyone is different and what might feel right for me in my heart, may not feel the same for someone else. Personally, I try to join the logic and the faith to make sense of things but my faith in God never waivers in any sense if I can't. I just accept and know I will learn the answer when God decides to tell me. I don't think humans can let go of logic so there is no way to explain it since I think it will never happen. Supposedly logic is what makes us the higher species on the planet, not that we know what to do with it so far...Good question!!

Answer 5

I do believe the word is "TRUST"! There is a Power in the Universe for Good and we can use it: Dr. Ernest Holmes. This Power works through Universal Law. This Law is operated on by your thoughts, words and actions.It is always working in your Life, 24/7 365 days a year. Logical thinking is excellent and don't ever stop using it. It will lead you to an understanding of Life. Dr. Holmes wrote a very good book called "This Thing Called Life" and it is very worthwhile reading. Once you begin to use this Power and see it operating in your Life, then you will Believe. An old proverb says: Seeing is Believing!

Answer 6

I don't know who told you that but faith isn't fancy. It's true that some things we cannot fully understand, for example, the idea that God is eternal. But believing that doesn't involve throwing logic and reason out the window. On the contrary, logic and reason would lead us to believe that even if we don't fully comprehend it.

Christian belief is founded first and foremost on facts, historical facts, from there you reach greater depth but you never do away with your mind in the act of belief. After all God expects to be worshiped with our whole being, soul, spirit and mind.

Answer 7

I do not know but belief does involve faith as one person simply answered. For example you believe that you will not die by tonight. This involves faith. It takes faith to believe. People believe that they will start a trip by boat, car, train, or plane and get to their destination alive. Am I not right? One Bible verse tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Read Hebrews eleven. Now you may ask, what would I Hope is an emotional belief in the possibility of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances within ones personal life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance in spite of evidence that it will not happen such as the verse of your all of your need being supplied and you are months behind in the rent. Hope says that God will take care of this need.

I hope this helped.

Answer 8

Well, the Bible teaches that belief and faith are basically the same word. So then, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, or Belief comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. Therefore, in order to have faith or BELIEVE, one must know what it is that one is suppose to BELIEVE. This brings us back to His word. The things that are taught in His word gives life and He will give you eternal life when you BELIEVE and obey the Good News, the Gospel. It is a pattern that is set forth in Rom. 6, Mat 28, Mark 16, and Acts 2., along with quit a few other places.

Answer 9

The definition of faith given in the Bible at Hebrews 11:1 has always helped me-it says that "faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of things not beheld" , so that means faith isn't blind but does follow demonstrations of proof that what you believe is real. Belief is such a personal thing and sometimes we have a hard time vocalizing it or putting it into words, so that has always helped me.

Answer 10

seek God. the bible is a great way... the best way. it says:

Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

everyone tells u that u need faith... theres how to get it .. the word of God.

get a bible and read the new testament, and pray, "God if your real, stir up my faith, help me to get revalation of You as i make the effort to find You"

for some, its simple, they just know, for others they have hardened there hearts to the child like faith that they have been given from birth, so they need to go to more effort to begin with.

visit a bible believing, faith filled, spirit filled Christian church, they will help you

Answer 11

Pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of faith. Read the early Church Fathers and other great theologians.

Faith is a gift from God which is given freely and to everyone. We only have to cultivate it.