Do you believe in GOD outta fear of the devil or outta faith? Why is GOD so mean?

Question

Im gonna say 99% believe him outta fear of the devil .... Hey GOD had to come up with an evil counterpart to make you believe in him. What kinda mna is GOD? He loves us but then he threatens us with going to hell ... wow nice job GOD

Answer 1

My religion doesn't have any type of devil so I don't believe in my gods out of fear. I believe and practice practice religion because of personal experiences where I have developed relationships with my deities.

Answer 2

Care should be taken to distinguish between two different uses of this word. The “fear of the Lord” is frequently spoken of as part of man’s duty (e.g., Ps. 111: 10; Eccl. 12: 13; Isa. 11: 2-3; Luke 1: 50); it is also described as “godly fear” (Heb. 12: 28). In such passages fear is equivalent to reverence, awe, worship, and is therefore an essential part of the attitude of mind in which we ought to stand toward the All-holy God. On the other hand fear is spoken of as something unworthy of a child of God, something that “perfect love casteth out” (1 Jn. 4: 18). The first effect of Adam’s sin was that he was afraid (Gen. 3: 10). Sin destroys that feeling of confidence God’s child should feel in a loving Father, and produces instead a feeling of shame and guilt. Ever since the Fall God has been teaching men not to fear, but with penitence to ask forgiveness in full confidence of receiving it.

Answer 3

There's no such thing as the "Devil." That's just a metaphor for temptation. As far as hell, it's not a real place. It's a state of mind. A state of despair and sorrow. If we give into temptation then in the end we are only giving ourselves despair and sorrow. However, when we go through this state, I am sure that we will want to seek a way out or finding faith in God and in ourselves. Therefore, everyone will go to heaven eventually once we conquer ourselves.

If that makes any sense...

Answer 4

Mine is faith because hell doesn't scare me. The devil was my copilot for a long time & took me places I pray that you will never have to see.

And I wonder how deeply you have giuven any of this any thought. The use of extremes ("I'm gonna say 99%...") is usually the sign of an insecure, puerile mind.

And perhaps you need to understand in God's economy every opposite has a consequence. When we act in positive ways we recieve positive consequences . Most people of faith call them blessings. When we act negatively we are also rewarded - this time with negative consequences (also known as discipline). No one likes to be disciplined, but it is necssary so that we learn. That's is why good parents discipline and bad ones abuse their kids by ignoring them or giving them whatever they want.

So perhaps you should rethink your answers & attitude. Your arrogance will only get you pain & despair - God can bring love & life. Your choice... positive consequences or negative consequences?

Answer 5

No I don't fear the devil he has already been defeated by Jesus all believers have authority over the devil whether or not they exercise that authority is up to them. Actually wisdom begins when you learn to fear god. With a fear you had for your father when you were a young one. Knowing that he would never hurt you but if you didnt listen to his commands you could become hurt. Because your father only tries to protect you.

Answer 6

If you knew anything, God did not create Satin in the sense you are writing. Satin, Gabriel was a fallen angel who wanted to be God, or "a" God and rule all.

God did not just place Satin here for all to fear him and make Him the hero.

Do research before posting a question/statement like that.
Read the Bible......You'll answer your own questions.

P.S. I am a Christian and am not afraid of the wrath of God. I understand and have read the Bible. Catch up!!!

Answer 7

I believe because of faith. God did say that we would have trials in our lives, so that we can learn to trust in Him. Is that why you think God is mean? God is loving and just. There is a reason for everything in His plan for each one of us. It's just up to you to find Him in your life. I don't fear the devil because I know that as long as I have God in my heart, the devil has no chance.

Answer 8

I've heard this question before. I will give you that....I think there are some teachings out there that try to control people by making them afraid of God. The bible even talks about the "fear" of God...but in context, it's speaking of us having a "reverent awe" of Him.

If you take the time and read the bible...you will find God is a God of love. Yes, there are consequences of rejecting God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Are there consequences of refusing oxygen if you suddenly found yourself 100 feet underwater and your scuba tank is empty? Yes. The same principal applies here. I think what you are saying actually is you resent that you have to make the choice that God is asking you to make; between His son....and hell.

God had no obligation to save any of us from hell. But He allowed His son to die on a cross for you. If you reject that hand of reconcilation extended towards you....you are the one that will consign yourself to hell, not God.

Excuse my blunt speaking, please. But this is the simple truth of it.

Answer 9

I believe in God out of faith, not out of fear. Fear is a work of the devil,not Christ. Also, he doesn't threaten us with hell, he says that he died for our sins and that he will come into our hearts if we chose for him to not being mean about it. It sounds like your trying to make it sound harsh.

Answer 10

I am out of that 1% who loves god. God creates, and gives us the choice to perform, live the life the way we want. And it is our actions that are evil or good. He loves us, and people controlling others in the name of god threaten with going to hell. God has given the free will and choice along with principles like action and reaction.

Answer 11

I was not raised to believe in God. It was only as a teenager that I became convinced that God exists. I became aware of His presence in the room one night during a discussion of spiritual matters with friends. And it was nothing but a conviction that He is good, I just found myself attracted to Him spiritually. Even if He later pointed out something I was doing wrong, I didn't feel condemned. I just left it behind and was relieved.

I wish I could say that it was always like that. At a certain point I began keeping company with people with the sort of beliefs you describe above, took me nearly 20 years to recover. I have to conclude now that it is not God, but people's perceptions of Him which are responsible for that kind of teaching.

Right now, I believe it is just out-and-out idolatry to believe in God just out of fear, because then we are not worshiping Him, but our own desire not to go to hell. Let no one deceive you in this matter with fine-sounding, pious words: if we do that, we are worshiping ourselves instead of God.