Are you gullible. Do you believe almost everything that people tell you. Is this a good or a bad thing?

Answer 1

Believing what people say and taking their word as truth does not necessarily imply gullibility.

To be gullible is to be easily deceived or duped...especially by a non-credible witness...or in the face of contradicting evidence or truths.

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There is a "common" perception that Christians are gullible. However, if there is a God...
And if He sent His Son to die for our sins...
And if Jesus did die and come back from the dead...

Then it is the Christians who are not deceived, and therefore, not “gullible”.
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However, having been an atheist...and now, by the grace of God, a Christian...

I do perceive that there are a lot of Christians who are gullible.

The reason for this is because Christians have been awakened to the possibility of the impossible. That is, they know things are impossible for man, but with God, they know that all things are possible.

Therefore, when a fraudulent "miracle worker", false prohet, or false teacher claims to perform a miracle or teach or preach a "strange" thing, a professing Christian is more naturally prone to swallow the lie than an atheist. For the atheist denies all possibility of the supernatural and rejects all teachings about God. In this case, it is the professing Christian who is more “gullible” – being deceived about the truth.

On the other hand, when a true miracle does happen, or when true teaching and prophesy is spoken, it is the Christian who is more likely to rightly believe it. The atheist denies the miracle and states, “there MUST be some explanation”, or mocks and ridicules the teaching. In this case, it is the atheist who is more “gullible” – being deceived about the truth.


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This all being said, it is healthy for Christians to have some skepticism about things...and not be so gullible, as the media so often rightly portrays them to be.

A form of "skepticism" is to question, probe things, and test things...in order to make sure things are true.

We are not to have what is commonly called a “blind” faith...which implies a “gullible”-believe-absolutely-everything kind of faith. The Bible declares such people "simple" and not "prudent":

"The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps."
-Proverbs 14:15

We are, as Christians, to be prudent...and to be discerning.

In fact, the Bible calls non-gullible Christians "more noble":
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
-Acts 17:11

That is, the Bereans were NOT gullible in swallowing everything they were told.
They examined the Scriptures DAILY to see if what was taught to them was true.

Not only this, we are told to "test" things:

"Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is"
-Romans 12:2

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."
-2 Corinthians 13:5

"Test everything. Hold on to the good."
-1 Thessalonians 5:21

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God."
-1 John 4:1

So, you can see we are to test all things, test other people, and even test ourselves. And we are also exhorted to be a "noble" character: to search the Scripture, even daily, to see if what others say is true. Indeed, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

So, if to be "gullible" means to NOT do these things...then being “gullible” (as many Christians are) is a very bad thing!

Why?

Because we are to "be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
-1 Peter 5:8

We are to be wise, vigilant, and test things..."in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
-2 Corinthians 2:11

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However, the other extreme is 'bad'. We are not to foolishly doubt - even as Thomas did.

If to be “gullible” is to believe the report of other credible witnesses about the resurrection of Jesus, then we ARE to be “gullible”, and not to “doubt”!

In this case, to be “gullible” and believe based on credible witnesses and/or other abounding evidence is a good thing. While to doubt, as Thomas did, was wrong.

And even to call this "gullible" is a stretch, but must be mentioned because non-believers will claim that to even believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is to be "gullible"!

Also, others admire Thomas for not being "gullible", but instead Jesus rebuked him for foolishly doubting. It wasn't that the others were "gullible" in believing without seeing, it was that Thomas was a "doubter" in the face of credible witnesses...and even with all the previous evidence he himself had seen. He personally saw Jesus walk on water, rebuke a storm, turn water into wine, feed thousands of people with a handful of fish, give sight to the blind, cast out demons, heal the sick, and even saw Lazarus raised from the dead! Not only this, Jesus even directly told Thomas He would come back from the dead.

So, it wouldn't be such a *stretch* for Thomas to believe Jesus had come back, even as the other apostles - his close friends - had told him! He wasn't avoiding being "gullible", he was wrongfully and foolishly doubting!

As Jesus said,
"You of little faith...why did you doubt?"
-Matthew 14:31

And to rebuke Thomas:
"Stop doubting and believe."
-John 20:27

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So, how do we avoid the two extremes?
The answer lies within a scripture already quoted above:
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
-Acts 17:11

1) We are to receive the message with great eagerness
2) We are to examine the Scriptures to see if the message is true

In other words:
Many atheists (and other non-Christians) fail to do number 1. Many credible people share their testimony and share the message of the Gospel to non-believers. But these non-believers don’t even consider the message. They ignore the message, mock the message, and attack the messenger.

These non-believers are gullible. They believe lies and ignore the truth. (and, of course, they fail to do number 2, as well)

Many Christians fail to do number 2. They believe “every wind of teaching”, and readily allow “teachers” to scratch their itching ears. They swallow every word their pastor preaches and teaches...or swallow every word the Pope “infallibly” proclaims. They listen to and believe “tradition” or other teaching, even if it contradicts the Scriptures!

These believers (or “tares”; false Christians) are gullible. They believe lies and ignore the truth. (and, of course, many often fail to do number 1, as well...being "fixed" in their doctrinal stance, unwilling to bend to the truth of scripture - often out of fear)

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But, to conclude...

We are to "be merciful to those who doubt."
-Jude 22

For we know that "God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness"
-2 Thessalonians 2:11

And, it must be noted that it is written:
"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect - if that were possible."
-Mark 13:22

This to mean, that such will be the delusion, that without the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us, we would be deceived.

More poignantly, and along the lines of your question:
ALL are "gullible" and deceived...except the elect!

That is, they are "blind" and even "dead"...and, therefore, very easily deceived...even as they are deceived.

We must, therefore, pray all the more that God open their eyes, give them eyes that can see, and breathe new life into them...so that they will see the Truth of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and so believe the Gospel, and be saved!

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Lastly, "gullibility" is a function of the discernment of the person. And the credibility of the witness must be considered. The greater the credibility of the witness, the less we should doubt. The less credible the witness, the more we should doubt and avoid being gullible.

In the Bible, the witness of man is compared to the witness of God. Obviously, God's witness is greater. Thus, Paul says:
"Let God be true but every man a liar."
-Romans 3:4

This is also why the Scriptures are to be read, studied, and memorized...so as to increase our discernment, and make us less gullible.

For the word of God, and the Word of God that became flesh is the the greatest witness to the truth.

And here is the witness of God, and the message - or testimony - of God to the world:

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
-1 John 5:9-13

So non-believer:
Don't even believe me...or others, test me and others, and our words...and even call me and others liars. So be it!

But consider God, who is credible...and consider His word, which is infallible. Consider the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, even Jesus Christ! The testimony concerning Him is in the scripture quoted, just above.

When you reject the Gospel, you do not reject me...you reject God. You call God a liar.

And when you reject God, you are believing the witnesses of other men, who say there is no God or say wrong things about God.

Therefore, you esteem the words of men above the word of God...and are deceived. In this manner, you are being very, very gullible.

Stop being so gullible!

Read the word of God...open your eyes...and see and behold the Truth!

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Grace and peace be with you.

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Answer 2

Gullible means one who is easily fooled. This is a negative description. A person who believes almost anything is likely to be fooled or taken advantage of.

Being trusting is usually a positive thing. It stops being a good thing when a person can be fooled and harmed because they lack a sense of caution. I think now days a person needs to be careful who and what they believe. Trust only the few you know and are fairly sure of, make the rest prove what they say. Or check out what others say to you.

There are many predators out there, trusting the wrong sort of person can have deadly consequences. I still follow the old saying , "Better safe than sorry." and I recommend that to you also.

My trust was violated often and early in my life. I have had to come back to the middle ground. I used to trust no one at all. That is too extreme, it is smart to be careful. It is wrong to be paranoid. In affairs of money and love - use caution.

Answer 3

Religion is not controlled by a Deity, it is controlled by men. Hundreds of men wrote the Bible over a few thousand years. That being said, I do believe in a God, but on my own terms. I don't believe there is any way a common man could possibly know what a god wanted. In the Bible, intelligence is portrayed as a sin in the garden of Eden. Yes, I think according to the Bible, gullible people would be favored because of their "faith".

Answer 4

I believe we should seek the wisdom of God in all things and study the word as well. But to always take the word others is not a go thing, its not good to be gullible...

Answer 5

I am not gullible. I think that it is bad to be gullible. There are alot of lies and liars out there. People need to know what they believe and stand up for it. They do not need to just believe what other people tell them. They need to check it out for themselves in the Bible.

Answer 6

I most certainly do not believe everything people tell me. This is a very good thing. If I believed what EVERYONE told me, I'd never have gotten to know Jesus. I'd be an evolutionist. I woulld've been a partier and in jail long ago. I would've fought with my parents even more than I did before I became a true Christian. I'd believe the misguided crap they try to teach at school (Food and Nutrition class: margarine is better for you than butter; Biology: evolution is true; History: Columbus was a good man http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/Articles2000/Weatherford0010Columbus.htm; school in general: our government is good). Because I don't believe everything people tell me, I have Jesus to guide me in knowing when and what to believe. I'll stick with Jesus any day.

Answer 7

Jesus said to be "as wise as serpents and harmless as doves". This used to worry me when I was young, considering the press serpents get in Scripture, but it really is a sound principle. We are not called upon to be foolishly naive.

I hope I'm not gullible but I do tend to be trusting until I find sometimes that my trust is misplaced.

We should be able to trust one another, especially if we follow Jesus. The essence of our faith means we are brothers and sisters in the hope of the kingdom.

I think to be gullible means you would accept any story that someone cooks up. So it is certainly not a good thing.

Answer 8

No, I'm not gullible. I would like to believe what people tell me but unfortunately I know our nature. To believe everything people tell you is extremely dangerous.

Paul tells us, "Test all things; hold fast what is good." I Thessalonians 5:21

John tells us, "Beloved, "do not believe" (Greek: stop believing) every spirit, but "test the spirits" (Greek: keep on testing), whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." I John 4:1

Answer 9

My Dear little Kait, Sometimes it is good to Listen to People and Sometimes It is a Bad thing. I Like to always try to do what God Instructs Us to Do. That is "To Check the Spirit"!! Many times I Have witnessed the "Spirit Bear Witness"......You get "vibes" From the Holy Spirit Confirming Truth. and He does Confirm the Truth! Praise God!
I Have made a Committment to God a Long time ago, to never Listen to anything that does not Bless me. ( I Love God's Blessing's, Don't You?) >> By THE SAME TOKEN, Jesus gave me a new Belief, new wants, New Desires, New Vision, and a New LIFE IN HIM. It is a good thing to Hear People talk about the wondrous Love of God. (smile) "Jeremiah 33:3" ( God's Phone #)


<> Victorious Prayer Warrior<>

Answer 10

Yes I'm extremely gullible and my friends love it for some reason. I do find it annoying at times when I'm the first to be tricked and the last to know, but it makes me smile too. I think it's a good thing because Jesus said people can't go to heaven without having the mind of a child--pure and believable

Answer 11

No. Esp in matters of truth. But when it comes to worldly things sometimes I get duped. I could be naive.

It is a bad thing to be gullible.