Do u think God punishes us for the evil we do?

Question

I know there is heaven and hell, but do u think he makes things happen to us while we r alive to try to keep us in line and let us know when he is dissapointed?

Answer 1

If you are a Christian, then God does discipline you for wrongdoing so that you can be conformed to the likeness of His son. Just like an earthly parent disciplines his child so that the child will not be spoiled, God disciplines His children.

In terms of non-Christians, I think that any 'punishment' that befalls them is certainly to point them to Christ, but it isn't discipline, since they aren't His children.

Hebrews 12: 5 “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

:7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

However, this is not to say that every trouble that befalls us is discipline, since Jesus said, when healing the man born blind, that it was not because of the man's sin or his parents' sin that he was blind, but rather that God might show His glory by healing him:

John 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Answer 2

God disciplines those He loves and considers as His sons (or daughters) -- What good parent lets their children go without discipline?? It seems that is how we learn. If something gets us hurt, hopefully we learn not to do it again. God set into motion the law of sowing and reaping, you earn the consequences of your actions, whether good or bad. God set laws over our existence, like the law of gravity. He doesn't sit there and hold us all down to the ground, He set it up to just work that way. The same is true for our actions and consequences. If you murder someone, you go to jail or get executed. If you lie, you could get fired. There may not be a visible reaction every time, but there is always a risk when we sin. Satan does not have the power to punish us. Read the book of Job, Satan had to ask God's permission to test Job. God allowed some bad stuff to happen, but in the end, Job stood firm and God blessed him for his faithfulness. Satan only has the power over our lives where we give it to him. When we sin, we allow the devil a foothold where he can dig in and make life miserable. Until we open that door, he can't apply the consequence.

Answer 3

I am a recent convert from athiest to Christian. I am going to speak from my former views. If God, Heaven and Hill did not exist, I would still punish myself now and in the future for everything I do wrong. However created I have a concious. Though I believe it lacking in some people. I also like to do good as I am gratified by an almost instant reward, feeling good inside.

Even a now a Christian, I say God may forgive me, Jesus died to absolve me of original sin. But I cannot forgive myself of the sins I commit and will pay for them all. In that regard, Jesus lessens the severity of my punishment rather than wiping the slate clean. Some might disagree with my concept. But, it is me true belief and must stand by it. We're I to say otherwise, I would simply be lying. And I think lying to God, to escape punishment is far worse than not believing everything exactly as given. All I can say on Judgement is I really tried to understand as best I could.

I also believe that if we sin, we will continue to create our own torment here on earth. Maybe that influences us to change our ways and avoid heavier penalties later. A lot of people think athiests lack morals. I find that simply is not true. I have found most athiests with the highest of morals. There are many Christians that seem to confuse athiests with devil worshippers. Athiests don't believe except the tangible here and now. And most do not believe simply because of the conflict of religion with science and secular history. Doesn't mean they aren't out to resolve the issues as I have. I finally was able to accept all three sources. Probably a bit different than others. I won't be starting my own denomination over my differences though.

Answer 4

IF we are truly saved, our spirit knows when HE is disappointed, our conscience.
God isn't personally punishing anyone; we reap what we sow when we do evil and that is an etenal law that cannot be broken. God doesn't "try to keep us in line" by sending bad things.., IF we are out of line, our life doesn't work and God doesn't bless us! When I hurt someone, I GET hurt back; when I withhold what is due someone, then what is my due is whithheld from me.., that IS the law of "reaping and sowning" that works 24/7 for everyone.., the saved and unsaved who live on the Earth.
Judgment is reserved for the end of our time or the end of ALL time!
God's in the BLESSING business. Either you are in the receiving position or not by your 'doings'.

Answer 5

IF you believe in Heaven and in Hell than you should know that he has tested mankind before JOB for example, but no overall I think mankind has free will and if we do evil things in your faith then it would not be GOD or JESUS punishing you, it would be them no longer protecting you and allowing the evil of demons and the devil to take you.

THAT is what your faith would believe in most cases.

It is not my faith so I do not believe any of it but that is not what is being asked, YOU DO BELIEVE so I am trying to answer in a way that would make sense to someone that does believe. i hope that make sense. i am still trying to help even if i do not believe in these things, I do believe others do and accept that so if I can help I will.

Answer 6

God already punished sin when Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice.

As long as you are in this flesh you are going to sin and sin or good actions are like seeds being spread in the spiritual world. When they pop out of the soil (the spiritual realm) and into this physical realm, you will reap what you have sown. It's a spiritual law of cause and effect.

Also, God does use corporal punishment to discipline those he loves.

So don't think it strange when unpleasant things happen to you. It may be God showing his love to correct you.

Plant corn, corn grows.
get outa line, get a loving wack.
Gypsy Priest

Answer 7

when He created us, He made us in His image and in His likeness, so we know instinctively when we sin against Him, we know right from wrong, the bible says to us: if you to do good, and do it not, to you it is sin. Everything that He does it's for our benefit, but too many times we listen to the knuckleheads out there who have no clue about what pleases God, and so we lose our footing.
Hear the conclusion of the whole matter, fear God, and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man.

Answer 8

Absolutely, Read Dueteronomy 28, It tells the blessings and curses for being obedient or disobedient to His Law.

Answer 9

Absolutely. If we don't repent I think he brings bad upon us to repay us the evil we did. And if we are forgiven and are in Christ, he definitely disciplines us when we do wrong as Christians. Peter says He disciplines those He loves. He wouldn't be a good father if He didn't.

Answer 10

He did in the past. But sometimes, we just have to suffer the consequences of our actions without any intervention from God.

But if you mean does He strike down our kids because of our sins, then no He doesn't do that.