Christians, have you ever allowed yourself to question your beliefs, or do you just ignore the nagging doubts?

Question

for fear of going to hell?

Answer 1

Tango, if my belief system was either so fragile or so rigid that it couldn't handle doubt, it wouldn't be worth my time. I have the same fears and doubts and concerns as everyone else does. That's what keeps my belief system in balance.

It's the ones who are absolutely sure that their religious beliefs are the only correct ones who tend to snap under the weight of doubts. Their belief system has no give to it or room for questioning, and eventually, it goes down like a sycamore in an ice storm.

Answer 2

Absolutely. All christians undergo periods of mild to extreme uncertainty regarding their faith and salvation just as any rational and introspective thinking person does about their beliefs. Usually these thoughts are brief and fleeting, and most christians know not to give them much creedence.
There are times, however, in the life of every christian when confusing, sceptical, and ambiguous thoughts are intense and persist for days, weeks, or months. There may be intense fear that one has never been saved, or that God does not exist. These trials of faith are extremely disquieting and hard to ignore. And, to make things worse, there is additional guilt and anxiety that the mere presence of these doubts will damm us to hell if we are not lost already.
Mercifully these ordeals always come to an end through prayer and divine intervention. Most biblically-aware christians know in advance that these trials of doubt will come upon them no matter what they do, and therefore prepare by keeping "in the Word", or studying their bibles daily.

Answer 3

I always have nagging doubts. For instance, I am married and have a daughter, but I'm never certain if this woman who claims to be my wife actually exists!

Ever since I had an encounter with Jesus Christ, my life has never been the same.

By the way, I was NOT raised in a "Christian" home. When we were growing up, we were taught that Jesus was at least a liar, possibly a lunatic, and above all else, dead.

In my mid-20's I was facing a crisis in my life, and when somebody prayed for me, God actually answered! And, like I said, I have never been the same.

It's amazing how that once you've actually met Someone, you can no longer deny His existence.

Answer 4

I thought this was a very good question. The thing is, EVERYBODY, and I mean everybody has nagging doubts and everyone deals with it differently, So how do you do it?
I mean your christian, but you are human. Because you're human, you must still have doubts. Hey, I do. Really. It would seem so easy to say, well. But then I realize that I wouldn't be a very good christian. Not to say not a good person. Just not a good christian. As a person, I'm much better as an atheist.

Answer 5

when you get into your car do you ignore the nagging doubts that some guy asleep at the wheel will hit and kill you. When you get on a plane do you ignore the nagging doubt that the pilot is drunk?
When you go shopping do you ignore the nagging doubt that some looser that has a depression problem with go gun crazy and shoot a stray bullet into your head?

Point is we know who we are. Christianity is a kind of life style just as much as it is a walk of faith. It's not just about having faith but about following a kind of life style.

Every body has faith.

Answer 6

Fear of going to Hell is what prevented me from suicide when I was a kid (because thats where suicides go). My overall beliefs about "the universe" have always been questioned. When I was 14ish I decided I wasn't a real christian and wanted to abandon God. Not because I decided I didn't believe him, I couldn't convince myself to do that, I just wanted to forget about him and live for myself. I'm not sure if everyone can say this for themselves, but: throughout my life, everytime I've questioned God's existance, he's answered me. I use to believe in God, like 90% sure-ness. But i've seen enough and he's put me past belief. I never ignore my doubts, infact they eat me up, but God has always been the one to catch my fall.

Answer 7

I am open to questions. Actually I'm searching for questions about my faith... not to discredit it but to get to know and understand it better.

And Christianity is different from fear of going to hell... you know! If you do it just because of fear, then you'll surely go to hell. It's something deeper, beyond normal human comprehension. It's a spiritual thing!

If you believe in hell, why not believe in heaven? What would happen to you after death is not what you believe when you're alive. It's what's actually there.

Answer 8

There is a difference between doubt driven questions and questions driven by curiosity, anxiety, loneliness, confusion, pain, etc. . If I know that God is real and call out to Him 'Why have you forsaken me?", I am not doubting His existence...I am simply desperate for His attention.

My Lord cried out this same way so I suppose its OK for me to do so. Some Christians teach a doctrine that brands this type of real relationship with our Father as weak faith. I often push back against this creature focused fallacy and suggest that it was the mountaintop of the Christ's faith when He called out to the Father in dire need of His presence....and as He intercedes for us it is ours as well.

agapefromnc

Answer 9

The devil always tries to ruin a great thing but, as long as we know its him.
Do you ever question how the Bible when found many years ago mentioned how God created the Universe way before we had the ability to find out there was one?

No fear of Hell here, do you fear it?

Hmmmm, there's food 4 thought, or fact? lolol

Answer 10

Don't have any nagging doubts. Am convinced and just live from that standpoint. I don't understand "doubts" about Christ since I received my salvation and was baptized and truly gave my heart and life to Jesus Christ.., it's a new and wonderful world now.., for the past 15 years.