Is it a sin to doubt God is real?

Question

I mean I go to church every Sunday but sometimes I doubt that he's real because sometimes when I pray at night I ask him to send me a sign to show thats he's real or I want him to talk to me but nothing happens. I feel bad cause I feel I'm testing him or something. And I want to believe he's real but I just don't know what to believe anymore. Please Help!

Answer 1

The Bible says you have been given free will. With that free will comes decisions. One decision is the existence of God himself. If you are asking for an angel to appear or to hear the audible voice of God. It probably won't happen. Relax and pray about it. Look inside you and listen to what God is already telling you. Everything we face is a test of our faith. This is just that. Many times God's proof is simply a peace that is placed upon us about whatever it is we are facing. Sometimes the sign is a scripture that suddenly jumps out at us that seemed irrelevant before. If you truly seek God you will find him. He is not going to jump out from behind any door and yell boo, but you will know he is there.

Answer 2

God is not going to just show you a sign like a light in the sky to show you he is real. He wants you to choose to believe without a sign - that is what faith is. The story of Thomas (doubting Thomas) in the Bible shows us that it is normal to doubt, as long as you eventually come back to God. Try reading the Bible more often, really praying (really talk - don't just ask for something you want 'cause you might not get it), and maybe even talking to a pastor or taking a Bible class. You may find that many of your questions will be answered.

Answer 3

i don't think it's a sin to doubt. it's natural, and i think God would rather you had some doubts and ended up with a stronger faith by overcoming those than if you just didn't think about what you believe - and He'll wait for you to work it out yourself.

As for a sign, it's probably not so much that you should feel bad for asking for one - it's just less likely to happen that obviously. If you stop looking for one, you might find it, it's one of those things thats strange but true.

at the end of the day, it's the sort of thing you can't have proof for. Talk it over with some open minded people who won't criticise you for having doubts (if they do, they should watch, cos that's judging, and that's not right...) and take your time. God does sometimes show himself in weird, unusal ways.

Well done for actually thinking about what you believe, rather than following like a sheep - good luck with it all, and i hope your faith ends up stronger, if that's what you want. don't ever let anyone tell you doubting is a sin.

Answer 4

No it is not a sin. It is Satan. But if you walked with God daily he will show himself to you. It is not always as simple as a prayer here and there. If you truly want to see God you will. But do not forsake the assembly of God - in other words- GO to church, it can make a whole lot of difference. Make sure you are reading the bible on a daily basis. I started with the chapter Mark. Just remember the Bible is a history book, like any other. It is not just made up by a bunch of random people. It is easy to doubt when we live in a world of so much make believe - like Santa, the tooth fairy, etc. If you walk with God daily and go to church you will see him, it took me a long time, but in time he will show himself. Possibly even speak to you. You'll know when he does. There would not be so many believers in the year 2007 if he didn't. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask me. Good luck!

Answer 5

i think that it is not a sin to doubt God, but that is only my opinion. God let us have free will, didnt he? i think that God sends us a little "test" to see if we will still follow him or not. all that u can really do is pray to God and ask for forgiveness. Also read the Bible. God does listen to our prayers, He just doesnt always answer them the way we want him to.

here is a story to lift your faith.

my aunt is a kindergarten teacher and a couple of years ago this happened to one of her students:

there was a couple with 2 daughters. they were babysitting their neice and nephew. the newphew's name was John.
it was a day after christmas and they were going to see a movie. the roads were icy, but they went anyway. on the way there, a truck hit their car and all of them were killed, except for little John. he was found on the opposite side of the road away from the wreck. he only had a minor concussion.
he came back to school a few weeks later and my aunt asked him about the incident. he told her this,"right before the truck hit, I saw an angel come in the car. the angel carried me to the other side of the road. "
now tell me, how could this little boy make his way out of the wreckage on his own to the other side of the road and come out mostly unharmed???
God and an angel HAD to be there.

god bless you!!!
dont give up on God!!!!

Answer 6

You are a young person, aren't you? It is not my thing to speak in any way harshly to a child or a teenager. I am an atheist but first I am a father. Put aside such things thrown at you as 'original sin,' and all that. I suggest you ask your pastor to sit down with you and discuss your feelings. R&S is not the place to hope for rational responses. Many people here have a me-me-me mindset and leap immediately into rudeness. Yes, have a long talk with your minister, your pastor, and be frank and honest with him or her. It is part of a pastor's ministry to ease the paths taken by the young. And be well, lad, be forever well.

Answer 7

God never turns his back on those who ask honest questions. He never did in the Old Testament; he never did in the New Testament. So if you are asking honest questions of God, he will not turn away from you.

It's not a sin to doubt. Disbelief is sin, but questioning, sincerely seeking is acceptable to God, because in the presence of God you may ask any question you want.

WE PRAY, O Father, that in the hours when we find ourselves in dungeons of doubt, that you would hear our questions. Forgive us for demanding that you answer our questions like we want them to be answered. Forgive us for having certain expectations that we think you should meet.

Answer 8

The spiritual journey goes through a series of stages. In the beginning there is no interest, later there is belief. After belief comes questioning. And a bit further on if you get that far is true experience of God.

Questioning is a more advanced stage on the spiritual path than belief. You are on the right track.

Answer 9

The problem is we want God to do things in Our time. Funny thing is, just looking out your window at nature is proof of the great Creater, God. God doesn't speak to you in this loud booming voice. Sometimes He speaks through others. Now, my suggestion to you is if you want to hear from him be still and pay attention. Go into your secret place and allow the Holy Spirit within you to help you listen. He's always talking to us its just that we're too busy talking about everything else that we can't hear Him.

Answer 10

Is thinking a sin?

Think for yourself. Do not let others, including your church, your friends or your enemies do your thinking for you.

Atheists have opinions. Christians have opinions. Greatfull Deadheads have opinions.

The one that counts, in this case, is YOURS.

Or if you prefer: "God gave you a brain ... use it!"
OK, so I appreciate irony as well as the next.

Don't let the word "sin" scare you. Following unthinkingly is, arguably worse - for that is the logic that people used in Germany at the end of the Third Reich: "I was just following orders."

If you follow God, do so with thought and love, not blind fear.