Christians, Is it okay to challenge God?

Question

I was listening to The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (book on CD) and the current chapter is on being best friends with God. He says that some of the strongest believers in the Bible (Abraham, David, and Jesus' disciples) all questioned God. I've never thought of it in this context. Rick Warren goes on to state that friends are okay to challenge one another and to be totally honest. So, I'd like some additional insight from others on this.

What is your opinion on this, when is it okay to do so and when is it not okay to question God?

Answer 1

We do not have to tiptoe around God. He knows everything about us, including but not limited to thoughts,deeds,and intentions.

I think that we can petition and question God,and even let Him know when we are angry at times(He is not that thin-skinned). However in any discourse with the Creator of heaven and earth, I think we should always approach the throne of Grace with a Godly fear and respect.

I would not,however get into the habit of pointing a finger or shaking an angry fist at God in an accusing way...(our little pointer finger makes for an efficient lightning rod.

Answer 2

Matthew 4:7: "7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (New International Version)

Deuteronomy 6:16a: "“YOU must not put Jehovah YOUR God to the test"

However, in the book of Habukkuk, we see that it starts off with many questions.
Habukkuk 1:1-3: "The pronouncement that Ha·bak′kuk the prophet visioned: 2 How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, and you do not hear? [How long] shall I call to you for aid from violence, and you do not save? 3 Why is it that you make me see what is hurtful, and you keep looking upon mere trouble? And [why] are despoiling and violence in front of me, and [why] does quarreling occur, and [why] is strife carried?"

How would we ever know that we have found the truth if we never questioned anything?

1 John 4: 1: "Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world."

Sometimes we think we want to question God, when really what we need to do is make sure that we know God and what is really God and not the "god of this system of things"

1 John 5: 19b: "but the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one."

1 John 2: 15-17: "15 Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16 because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17 Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."

2 Corinthians 4:1-4: "That is why, since we have this ministry according to the mercy that was shown us, we do not give up; 2 but we have renounced the underhanded things of which to be ashamed, not walking with cunning, neither adulterating the word of God, but by making the truth manifest recommending ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God. 3 If, now, the good news we declare is in fact veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through."

Answer 3

Hmmmmm, good question.

Remember the story of Gideon and the fleece? Gideon wanted to be absolutely sure that he was getting the message from God correctly ( to paraphrase here) and basically was testing God by using the fleece of a wool. Of course, God got His point across.

I think, at some time, all of us if we are honest will admit to questioning God. Somebody help me out here, I do believe we are told not to test God as Gideon did, though. But I can't find the scriptural reference to that.

I believe we worship a big enough God who isn't afraid to be questioned. I think it actually makes our faith stronger because sometimes the answers we get from Him are pretty darn powerful.

Remember: Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.

I quit praying for patience a loooooooooong time ago, lol!

Answer 4

I believe that God allows us to challenge him as long as we respect the fact that he is God. People are not Gods and often get frustrated when they are expected by God to do difficult things. That is usually where the challenge comes in. In otherwords, "How can you expect me to do this?" God always answers with his love and with his power to help.

Answer 5

Hi, Great Book, I just finished reading it.

I think if there are things we dont understand we can question and ask God about it.

Answer 6

It would be a losing battle. God would win everytime.

Answer 7

when your god is doing something or allowing things to be done in his name that you find troubling. then it is time to question your god.

Answer 8

they say dont challenge his authority, but free will he gave you, the thought process he gave you, its your choice on whether to question him or not

Answer 9

When because of your faith, you want to know more. That is when you should ask. If you lack faith, you must ask for that first.