Everyone who reads this: please pray for me. Greatly. I was thinking about life in general, when Satan inserted into my head the idea of Solipsism. For those who don't know what this sickness is, it's a theory that the self is all that exists. Basically, nothing you've ever took comfort in (your family, your hobbies, the Bible, even God) ever existed. I know this idea is completely wrong with all of my heart, but unfortunately not with all of my brain. Satan keeps popping it into my head. This is tearing me up, piece by piece. I've spent several nights now crying myself to sleep, because I can't get this thought out of my head. I've gone to the Bible, my (very spiritual) family, and my Pastor for help, answers, and comfort, but each time I do, I'm okay for a few hours after I talk to them, but then I go down and just want to cry and wonder why I keep thinking this. So please help me by praying for me.
May the Lord open your eyes. Weird thoughts sometimes invade our minds, but they do go away - every single one of them. Some just take longer and require more persistence, but certainly "fleeing from temptation" helps. In your case, avoid exposure to the dangerous philosophy and meditate on the Word.
As for a counter-thought, one based on logic rather than the nonsense that satan would have you believe, everything to do with "self" is a perception and perception is a product of our presuppositions which are a product of our experiences. Perception is not fact nor is it truth. Fact/Truth must exist independently from self - it must be objectively proven.
Therefore the philosophy cannot be true because within it exists a logical contradiction. If life is an illusion of perception, then there would not exist objective truth - but there does exist objective truth/fact independent of self. If self is all that existed, there would exist subjective variance. What we experience in life however is that history does in fact repeat itself - there is nothing new under the sun. Our experiences are remarkably invariable. Step in front of a moving truck, and you die. Yell threats at someone, and they get angry. These experiences are not based on perceptions, but on invariable truths that affect all of us.
Since your battle is in your mind, I suggest reading scripture concerning the mind. Start filling your thoughts with Scripture by reading God's Word as soon as these thoughts begin. They are only thoughts, and thoughts are like birds; they can fly around overhead, but don't let them make a nest in your hair. Renew your mind again just as God commands.
Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Ephesians 4:23-24
23. and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24. and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
Father God, FORTIFY Jusdoo with the grace of Your Holy Spirit and give Your peace to his soul that he may be free from all needless anxiety, solicitude, worry and thoughts which conflict with Your Word. Help him to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to You so that Your will may be his will. Help him to keep his mind stayed on You, for in doing so, You will bring him perfect peace. Renew his mind by the washing of Your Word. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
__________________ SingPeace
Malachi 3:10 - . . . Test Me, and see if I won't return to you a blessing too vast for you to receive. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Before I pray for you I have to type this first...
You say that you know that "Satan has inserted this thought into your mind". Logically if you are responding to something outside of yourself that immediately disproves the lie that you are all that exists. If you were all that existed, (again) logically wouldn't you know everything and never actually need to learn anything at all? You are a child of God, God exists, therefore more than you exists.
1 John 4: 4 (Written to one early church nearly 2000 years ago and thefore more than one individual i.e. yourself), ) You, dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (i.e Satan).
Remember that Satan is the Father of lies (John 8:44, see John 8 for full context. Was Jesus talking to you or to the Jews?), and will expecially try whatever strategy that a person has shown some weakness or area of sin in before. e.g. I will never be tempted towards drug abuse as I have to be very careful with my health, but I have repeatedly been tempted into excessive self-pity with my naturally serious temperament.
It sounds like you are someone fairly educated already to know that philosophical term. If you are someone who thinks deeply and you naturally are a person who wants to understand everything, it sounds like that temptation towards extreme doubt is being aimed directly at you.
I read on another forum that solopsism is actually a form of psychological Nihilism [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy] which makes a lot of sense. Following the irrational "logic" that you are all that exists, then what meaning does life, achievement, family, friends have at all?
But there is hope. We are not meant to fight these battles in our own strength, God had the ultimate victory over Satan with Jesus' death on the cross, and through our faith in Jesus we can have the same victory of sin including doubt, disbelief, struggles with faith, etc.,etc., etc.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Remember that this battle might take some time. It sounds like your struggle has gone on for a while and the Enemy may not give in easily. He is low enough to come back later as well when we least expect it. However once you get through this spiritual battle with God's help you will be greatly strengthened and will be able to help other christians through as well.
Lord, we pray that every word in the Bible, encouraging words from christian preachers and writers that Justin reads sinks into his heart fully and permanently. We pray that everything that christians speak (or type) to Justin are supportive, loving and truthful at the same. Please give him your peace and love, and extra spiritual support and strength from every source possible.
"Our danger is to water down God’s word to suit ourselves.
God never fits His word to suit me; He fits me to suit His word." Not Knowing Whither, 901 R
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Praying in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord!
__________________ "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord. Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
This is timely. My 17-yo daughter just told me she was recently made aware of Solipsism - she couldn't pronounce it clearly, but what you describe is what she described: self is all that exists.
I too wish there were a verse or discipline or cure-all that could make the thought go away.
But as you have said, it's inserted into your mind and will be hard to eliminate. I am adding my prayers for you to those of the others here.
May God grant you release from this destructive notion, and refresh in you the joy of His creation and the strength of His being.
Thank you all very much for your support and prayer! I'm slowly getting over the thought thanks to everyone :-) although I still have my moments, they're nowhere near as bad or as long as they used to be :-) thank you all so very much!
Praying you be set free by the truth and that you find rest in Christ Jesus. In His holy name, amen.
__________________ JESUS IS ALIVE!
2 Tim 2: 3-4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee ; because he trusteth in thee.
Solipsism: a life-destroying philosophy 
Lord, we pray that every word in the Bible, encouraging words from christian preachers and writers that Justin reads sinks into his heart fully and permanently. We pray that everything that christians speak (or type) to Justin are supportive, loving and truthful at the same. Please give him your peace and love, and extra spiritual support and strength from every source possible. 
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