Jesus LIED?

Question

Jesus is quoted many times in the Bible saying that a believer can ask for anything through prayer and receive it. He even goes so far as to say that mountains and trees can be thrown into the sea simply by praying for it. This is clearly a lie, and can be proven to be a lie by any believer. Simply pray for me to be converted to Christianity right away. Or better yet ask God to move the mountains behind my house. He could make a lot of converts that way. If I’m converted today, I’ll post a public apology on my web site and devote my life to kissing God’s a**.

1) And Jesus answered and said to them,

"Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, `Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22 NAS)

Answer 1

Matthew 4:7 Jesus answered him, "it is also written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Faith and works are like 2 snakes eating each others tails. If you have faith (or choose to have faith), you may be converted. And if you are converted, then the idea is to live like one converted (works), to be a good example to show others why they might want to be converted. (See also Matthew 6:43-49). As to kissing a**, consider this: (John 8:34) "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." So perhaps you are already doing some of that unknowingly, but to a different Master.

The act of testing shows lack of faith. One who has perfect trust has no need to test. For instance, how often do you test the integrity of a chair before sitting down? Most often, one simply sits in the chair after taking a quick look at it to make sure none of its legs are broken and the seat looks solid.

Certainly Jesus' words are confusing, and not just to non-Christians. But if you really want to understand them, pray for knowledge and study them, and eventually you will.

And if you really wanted those mountains moved, perhaps you would hire an excavating company or a dozen contractors or so, obtain however many permits it took, and eventually it would be moved, or perhaps even sculpted into the next Mt Rushmore. However, you probably would run out of faith once you realize you don't have the funds for that, nor the persuasive power to convince people to do it for you for nonmonetary rewards, nor the persuasive power to get people to give to your "mountain moving" fund or support your cause.
Finally, its not up to me, and not up to my limited faith, but your conversion is primarily an issue between you and God. If you don't believe in God, nor even in any Divine Force, you can take that to mean that it is up to you. So basically, that is YOUR problem, not mine.

Answer 2

Very true. The idea of prayer is very similar to that of and magic incantation. Invocation of supernatural forces to control outside forces and obtain something of physical, political, personal, economic or metaphysical value without true effort.

The catch is, if the prayer goes unanswered and the resulting failure causes the prayee to quit the religious faith, then the rest of the cult can merely label that individual as not being truely faithful in the first place. This behavior also serves to scare those who didn't get what they want and didn't leave the religious faith because they then believe its their own fault that they didn't get what they requested, while others still conveniently believe it was "God's will" in the first place. Of course, the other side of this is that if the prayer is answered, then it usually becomes a miracle (regardless if the Vatican actually supports it or not). There inlies the loophole. If any answered prayer becomes a miracle, then miracles can be harvested from the simplest of requests made through prayer.

For example, if someone prays for financial assistance for a personal tragedy - usually caused by some natural occurance. Then the psuedo-community formed by the religion can each donate their own earnings to these people, which adds up and offers relief to the people who sent in the prayer in the first place. So through an act of pure socialist community action, a miracle is harvested by the religion and uses as an agent of proselytization.

Answer 3

Ms. Pretty;

Not true! Your understanding is faulty and narrow. Read this; " the Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answwered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye discern the signs of the times?" Matthew 16:1-3.

Yes, you can ask for anything. But if it is not according to His providence, your prayer will not be answered. God is not going to perform miracles for your amusement of mine. You cannot pray for something that is going to harm you or another person. No more than you can go to the top of a skyscrapper, and step off and expect to be kept from falling. Remember, the devils temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:6?
God does not act contrary to His laws! He established the laws of gravity, you can go out on that ledge and jump off. But the only way your going to go is down! You cannot throw a rock and expect it to keep moving forever. It is again ruled by the laws of gravity and physics.

You have probably heard the expression. Don't tempt the hand of fate. If you step in front of a speeding train what's going to happen? If you jump into the ocean wearing a lead dress, what's going to happen?

God also gave you free will. To choose right from wrong. Make your own decisions. If you choose not to believe in God. That's your choice. You have hardened your heart, God is not going to hear your prayers or requests.

You started your tirade with a quote from Jesus. I will do the same. " For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:37,38. KJV.

I am sad that you are so bitter.Something happened to put you in this frame of mind. I pray He will touch your heart again.

Answer 4

WOW!! Sounds like you and god have issues. I am not a religious person by no means, but what allot of people do not understand is that the bible has been re-written over and over again, have you ever wondered why the holy bible says king James version? Why not a bible that says gods version? What you need to understand is your relationship with god is between you and him, not what some man or woman who says they are preaching the gospel.Look around you and figure out what god has already done for you.Good Luck with your faith and remember ask god not for miracles only guidance.

Answer 5

Have you ever thought about the offering plate in church? If God is real, why do they have to pass it? If you read these verses in the Bible, you can see that God claims to be extremely powerful and willing to answer any prayer:

* Matthew 7:7
* Matthew 17:20
* Matthew 21:21
* Mark 11:24
* John 14:12-14
* Matthew 18:19
* Mark 9:23
* Luke 1:37

Now consider this: Why don't the ministers and deacons of the church gather together every Sunday morning and pray to Jesus for the money they need? Why doesn't Jesus answer their prayers? Why do churches have to beg for money from mere mortals when there is an immortal, all-powerful God who should provide anything they ask for? Here is what "God" is saying:

Pray to me for anything and I will hear and answer your prayers. I say it in dozens of places in the Bible, but I like the way I say it in Mark 11:24 the best: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Anything you need -- money, love, happiness, you name it -- I am here to provide it for you.

Now, there is just one thing I need in return. I need your money. I need lots of your money. The Bible specifies that you tithe ten percent of your income to me, but think of that as a starting point. Feel free to give more!

Because even though I created the universe and everything in it, and even though I will give you everything you ask for in prayer, I can't give a cent to any church, ever. When they pass the offering plate at church, be sure to give generously!

This, of course, is ridiculous.

The reason why they pass the offering plate at church is because God and parayer are imaginary.

Answer 6

You are missing the main point....he says if you have faith, and you believe. Its not the prayer that moves the mountain, it is the faith that God CAN move the mountain. Also God does answer, but the answer doesnt have to be yes. In fact it often times is a resounding no. God gives us what we need, that does not always match up with what we think we need or what we want.

Jesus also says "It is written:"Do not put the Lord your God to the test."( Matthew 4:7) You are testing God, saying you will believe if he does such and such. It doenst work that way, becasue that is not faith.

Answer 7

first off, God isn't interested in having his "a**" kissed anymore than you are interested in looking for truth...i suspect that if the mountains behind your house were to move, you'd attribute it to an earthquake, anyway...here's the biblical answer to your question:

1) Do not test the Lord your God...deuteronomy 6:16

2) The devil led Him up to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. "if you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. for it is written: 'He will command His angels concerning you to guard you carefully: they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" " Jesus answered. "It says: 'do not put the Lord your God to the test"-luke 4:9-12

in other words, if you want parlor tricks, call david copperfield...if you want a true miracle, call on Christ...He can perform a true miracle in your heart and life

Answer 8

It is written that he said to the rich man "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven." Everything is not concrete and all people are not poets. Do the math.

Answer 9

1st of all god never lies, he may not come or respond when you want him to but he is always on time. In that verse he was using a theory to prove a point. But never ever doubt god because if you deny him of his worthiness, then he'll deny you when time comes. Always believe. Im praying for you tonight.

Answer 10

If you are a NON-BELIEVER, how can you have FAITH and no DOUBT? Jesus is here asked about the Fig tree withered away, which is allegorically talking about a fig tree that was found without fruit. He had the power to wither it (verse 19). He teaches that Fruit (deeds) are withered away, but FAITH is what can move mountains. That is the lesson of those verses.