How does one "just believe"?

Answer 1

The Bible says:
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
Romans 10:17

As I understand it, it is through hearing the message about Jesus Christ, by preaching or by reading the Gospels, and coming to a heartfelt conviction that it is true, and then reaching out to embrace this truth and make it your own.
Jesus Christ once asked His disciples this:
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Peter responded:

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus then pronounced Peter as blessed, saying "flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven."

Really, nobody figures it out. God prompts us in our heart and nudges us towards the message of the Gospel. God never forces anyone. He coaxes, encourages, but never decides for us.
It is during this time we must respond and embrace the Gospel. Otherwise we are in danger of drifting back into our own stubborn self will.
A man may ask you to marry him. If you say "maybe later", maybe later may never come.
Today is the day of salvation.

"But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:8-13

Choose life, not death.

Answer 2

Good question, good answers. For a lot of people it's very easy. In theater there's something called the "willing suspension of disbelief." For a play (or a movie) to be a success the audience has to be willing to "believe," for a while at least, that what they're seeing on the stage or screen is "real." And all of us know at least one obnoxious person who makes constant mocking comments during a movie spoiling it for everyone around him who can hear. I'm that jerk in horror flicks. Most of them are, to me, really stupid, but a really good one will suck me in and make me jump.
It's the same thing with religion (and politicians come to think about it). The easily pursuaded; the easily led willingly give up their disbelief because they find it less scary, more comfortable and easier to believe than to think critically with reason and disbelieve.
So, it's easy to be a good believer. All you have to do is simply give up your free will and blindly accept whatever you're told is true.

Answer 3

You have to make the choice to believe. If you are willing to look, then you will find plenty of evidence that there is something more, that there is an existing God capable of having a relationship with you. There are thousands of testimonies out there, stories of how God brought people hope and peace and joy and even, miracles. I have witnessed miracles and I know God cares. However, the decision to believe it or not, still rests with you alone.

Answer 4

You don't. Now through a serious understanding of history and learning about other religions..... you may arrive at a place where you appreciate christianity in a way.

But the problem is once you do this you will be educated and see and appreciate all the worlds people. But I suppose t is better than someone just picking up a few brochures and be reborn and having no appreciation of their religion.

Answer 5

For me; All questions to my Mother/Father - they did not lie, they seriously communicated, so I could count on them for the truth. This expanded to people that my parents trusted - until I was old myself. Once I was old and found people to trust if anyone similar to this mold, of my trustworthy people, spoke I could usually feel if these strangers were trustworthy.
If someone I trust tells me something serious, (without a history of pulling my leg while serious) then I will believe them. And if asked if this is real, serious - and they say yes, then I believe them.
Also if it "costs" me nothing to believe a story as real, I will, because it feels important to whomever is telling it to be believed. So why insult them for no reason, if no one gets hurt.
It's the last optimistic aspect of me. I'm very pessimistic now.

Answer 6

So Bettie, what you are saying is that you have never bottomed? I find THAT hard to believe.

Personally I really do not like to be overpowered (not even in the personal theater) not even to my own subconscious. Though I had been an Agnostic Theist (believed there was something out there, but did not know what) for most of my life it was VERY tough for me to allow a name to be put on one of the higher powers and to submit.

I still feel myself trying to weasel out of believing sometimes, but I have seen the hob-nail boot print of a superior being in my life, and have been forced to admit that there are bigger and badder things in the universe then humans.

Answer 7

I tried to be a good girl. Read more study more. It did not work for me, and yes my heart was open. That is why I studied.

But my heart led me to believe much differently than the sheeple. I suppose I have hope not belief. I choose to follow the good I see in religion and oppose the bad.

Belief and faith are not choices, actions are.

Answer 8

One doesn't "just believe"... One simply takes a "leap of faith" and during the fall, learns how to believe and trust the LORD.... so in the end one is flying on the wings of God's eternal love.

Answer 9

It can happen in the blink of an eye, where God touches you or it can take place when you are far from God and you are just about to break!

When you are down as low as you can go, feel like dying, hurting, broke, worthless...God scoops you up out of the valley of death and lifts you into a group of believers to support and care for you. He gives opportunity to redeem yourself and offer your life to Him once you have acknowledged His grace and presence.

When you discover God presence and grace in your life, nothing can be so strong of a feeling, not any love, any drug or any impact in your life! It's a good kind of impact!!!!

I wish I could be there to witness your day of repentence, it is so magnificent that you will want to hug everyone around you. Go ahead! Just say, "God bless you"...they'll understand.

Answer 10

What do you want to believe? If you are seeking a faith in the Lord Jesus of the Bible, and 'just want to believe in Him', then you ought to spend time reading the Bible. In the book of 1 or 2 Corinthians it tells us that 'faith comes by hearing the Word of God'. As you invite the Lord into your heart, and ask Him to help you, He actually imparts a measure of faith into your heart. This is a gift, but we have to ask for it. God is not pushy!

Faith grows. We start out with little faith at times, but as we read His Word we grow in faith. That is a Scriptural promise, and I can say that it has worked in my own life, and I am a Gramma. I do believe God has increased my faith.

We can 'just believe'.....it is possible, as God helps us !! God loves you and so do I. Blessings to you.