You can't chose to believe something can you?

[JohnB445]

I didn't choose to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the reason I can and do.

I didn't choose to believe in predestination, the Bible says God chose us and predestinates so I believe the word of God.

I didn't choose to believe in the Trinity, the Bible says these 3 testify as 1. The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.

I didn't choose to believe 1+1=2.

So, in reality, we can't force ourselves to believe something, right?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I didn't choose to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the reason I can and do.

I didn't choose to believe in predestination, the Bible says God chose us and predestinates so I believe the word of God.

I didn't choose to believe in the Trinity, the Bible says these 3 testify as 1. The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.

I didn't choose to believe 1+1=2.

So, in reality, we can't force ourselves to believe something, right?

Wrong. Free will to choose is Gods plan for creating man. He wants us to choose Him.

 

[JohnB445]

Wrong. Free will to choose is Gods plan for creating man. He wants us to choose Him.

Then why was I unable to believe back then when I was 19? I said the sinner's prayer and was unable to believe or repent from my sins.

Then one night I opened the Bible to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit came in and gave me eternal life which resulted in a life change too.

 

[Roidecoeur78]

Wrong. Free will to choose is Gods plan for creating man. He wants us to choose Him.

OP is correct, God is in control and the only one who can save. Where does it say the individual can choose God, without God first giving the person the will and ability to do so?

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit" John 15:16

"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God" Romans 8:6-8

Therefore, without God choosing to grant the Holy Spirit to someone, according to His will and plan, a person is not able to just choose to believe and save him or her self.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Then why was I unable to believe back then when I was 19? I said the sinner's prayer and was unable to believe or repent from my sins.

Then one night I opened the Bible to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit came in and gave me eternal life which resulted in a life change too.

Because the sinners prayer has no power to regenerate only the repentive soul who seeks Gods will for their life which you finally came to know.
Blessings

 

[JohnB445]

Because the sinners prayer has no power to regenerate only the repentive soul who seeks Gods will for their life which you finally came to know.
Blessings

Thanks, that was helpful.

I will be honest when I said the sinner's prayer back then I wasn't planning on changing my ways.

That could be the reason why it didn't happen.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

OP is correct, God is in control and the only one who can save. Where does it say the individual can choose God, without God first giving the person the will and ability to do so?

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit" John 15:16

"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God" Romans 8:6-8

Therefore, without God choosing to grant the Holy Spirit to someone, according to His will and plan, a person is not able to just choose to believe and save him or her self.

I am not a Calvinist so this falls on deaf ears.
Blessings

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Where does it say the individual can choose God, without God first giving the person the will and ability to do so?

It started with Adam and Eve. They were given a choice to obey or disobey. God did not choose for them to disobey rather He tested their obedience. The same applies today as God does not change. He gives us the choice to walk with Him or reject Him.

 

[royal priest]

I didn't choose to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the reason I can and do.

I didn't choose to believe in predestination, the Bible says God chose us and predestinates so I believe the word of God.

I didn't choose to believe in the Trinity, the Bible says these 3 testify as 1. The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.

I didn't choose to believe 1+1=2.

So, in reality, we can't force ourselves to believe something, right?

You did choose, John. You determined those sources were trustworthy and accepted their assertions. You can't believe something against your will. Nor would you believe something that you know to be false. Could you make yourself believe that 1+1=3? God never forces anyone believe something against their will.
PS I am a Calvinist.

 

[Hammster]

Wrong. Free will to choose is Gods plan for creating man. He wants us to choose Him.

Why would you choose something that you don’t believe?

 

[SinoBen]

You did choose, John. You determined those sources were trustworthy and accepted their assertions. You can't believe something against your will. Nor would you believe something that you know to be false. Could you make yourself believe that 1+1=3? God never forces anyone believe something against their will.
PS I am a Calvinist.

Agreed, I just want to chime in and emphasise your important point:

God, the Holy Spirit, never forces anyone to believe something against their will.

Therefore, @JohnB445 with God's help, you still made a choice.

 

[Richard T]

Once you are a Christian you will have numerous times to believe God's word, or believe some alternative. That is why we learn to take our thoughts captive and not just go with whatever flow we find ourselves in. Here is a website that talks more about what we can do. 6 Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive

 

[Strong in Him]

I didn't choose to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the reason I can and do.

Someone could choose to find out more about Jesus, accept what he says, follow him etc - even if they don't understand it.

I didn't choose to believe in predestination, the Bible says God chose us and predestinates so I believe the word of God.

You could choose to interpret the Bible in that way.

So, in reality, we can't force ourselves to believe something, right?

Not exactly.
I can choose to believe God answers prayer, even if I don't think that he has answered mine.
I can choose to believe God loves me, even if I don't understand or feel it.
I can choose to believe the Trinity - some don't, and quote Scriptures to back up their choice.

I don't feel it's a matter of forcing oneself; just carry on choosing to believe until faith, or understanding, comes.

 

[Strong in Him]

Then why was I unable to believe back then when I was 19? I said the sinner's prayer and was unable to believe or repent from my sins.

Maybe you only said it to keep someone happy/because you thought it would look good?
Why say it otherwise? Why tell God that you will accept, and give your life to, his Son if you have no intention of doing so?

 

[Roidecoeur78]

I am not a Calvinist so this falls on deaf ears.
Blessings

The "ears to hear" the truth cannot be chosen out of thin air either, they are either given by God or not. Saying you are not a Calvinist in a derogatory inference, would be the same as saying you were not a Catholic (because there are far too many idols involved); and besides, no earthly label or lack thereof will decide where one ends up. Either way, you didn't make yourself what you are or are not, or what you are capable or incapable of being, conceiving, or believing. To God alone goes that glory.
all Blessings, Praise, and Glory be to God alone.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Why would you choose something that you don’t believe?

We have a different biblical understanding of God's Character. His relationship and plan for His creation has always involved understanding and obedience. This takes two willing parties to achieve. To answer your question, "you would not".
Blessings

 

[Maria Billingsley]

The "ears to hear" the truth cannot be chosen out of thin air either, they are either given by God or not. Saying you are not a Calvinist in a derogatory inference, would be the same as saying you were not a Catholic (because there are far too many idols involved); and besides, no earthly label or lack thereof will decide where one ends up. Either way, you didn't make yourself what you are or are not, or what you are capable or incapable of being, conceiving, or believing. To God alone goes that glory.
all Blessings, Praise, and Glory be to God alone.

Apologies, no inference was intended just identification. We have different factions within Protestant Christianity. The best way to describe one from the other is calling them by their name. I am a partial-Preterist/A-millennial and have no problem defending my faction. It is unfortunate we even have labels let alone factions!
Blessings

 

[Hammster]

We have a different biblical understanding of God's Character. His relationship and plan for His creation has always involved understanding and obedience. This takes two willing parties to achieve. To answer your question, "you would not".
Blessings

So how would one go from unbelief to belief?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

So how would one go from unbelief to belief?

I will let you discern how Thomas came to believe.
Blessings

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.

 

[Francis Drake]

OP is correct, God is in control and the only one who can save. Where does it say the individual can choose God, without God first giving the person the will and ability to do so?

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit" John 15:16

Not relevant to your argument.
Jesus was simply choosing some born again Godfearing fishermen to become his disciples. He was not choosing to make them born again.

"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God" Romans 8:6-8

Correct. So the first act of salvation comes when a man simply surrenders to the spirit of God working on his conscience.
Scripture says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock". It doesn't say that the Holy Spirit breaks the door down.

Therefore, without God choosing to grant the Holy Spirit to someone, according to His will and plan, a person is not able to just choose to believe and save him or her self.

Wrong. The Holy Spirit brings new birth when we surrender to him, not before.