Dealing with extreme doubt

Victhemag · Oct 2, 2017

I am a Christian and have been one for a couple of years now. I am also a pretty good apologist, and can defend the Christian faith very well. Yet, one doubt has been destroying me, and I can not properly think or function in life because of it. If anyone can give an answer, please do. My doubt that I am thinking of is "How do I know that Satan didn't write the Bible and do everything in the Bible, including raise Jesus from the dead?" I know this is stupid, as God did inspire the Bible and raise Jesus from the dead, but I am having intrusive doubts that Satan did it. I am thinking that Satan made this religion, and that God really doesn't care about us. I am having intrusive doubts that Satan has tricked me into believing Christianity. I know this is false, yet I don't really know how to counter this thought very well. If anyone has an answer, please help me. This has led to me doubting my salvation as well. I ask that someone please give me a good answer. Please pray for me. God bless.

brinny · Oct 2, 2017

The answers you seek are right in God's Word. Praying for you.

RC1970 · Oct 2, 2017

Only God can perform miracles, such as raising people from the dead, and only God has the ability to foretell events with precision.

Satan, who is only a creature, cannot do what only God can do.

truefiction1 · Oct 2, 2017

Those who have true Faith in the Word of God, to Whom Scripture bears witness, do not do the evil works of Satan. They do the good and Loving works of God. For this reason we know that the Bible is God's Word, not Satan's words.

31gH9N.9. · Oct 2, 2017

Who told you about Satan?
I'll keep you in thought and prayers while I study but what would this thought lead to? I mean do you want to do what's right and avoid judgement and If these things you're thinking were true, what do you think you should do about it?
I hope you can have peace that the thoughts are not true by the way because I'm convinced they're not. Did these thoughts just come from no where or did something else cause them or trigger them?
Is it just the new testament you are doubting or the whole Bible?

Roseonathorn · Oct 2, 2017

To start off remember that Satan is the deceiver and he is very good at it, He also wish to be God. So guess who put those thoughts in Your mind. That way He makes You afraid of reading the bible, right? Does it feel boring to read the bible or does it feel like an adventure? Do You need to read another version of the Holy book for a while? God eminates warmth and Love and can raise a person from the death. God is the creator. God is righteous and true, You know when You tell a truth, how do You feel, compare that with when You tell a halftruth or a lie. Do You feel cold in Your soul too? Does the devil suck out some warmth out of Your soul, some lifeforce. Now some people have a higher bodytemperature than others, that might be another matter.

SkyWriting · Oct 2, 2017

Welcome, brand new person with a pressing problem!
Helping other people helps you grow and learn about
yourself even past....post #1.

People will likely spend EVEN MORE time
helping you after they get to know you!

paul1149 · Oct 2, 2017

It seems that Satan even had to get permission just to afflict Job. He simply does not remotely have the authority or power to do what you suggest. Oswald Chambers makes the point that satan is a finite being, whereas God is infinite. He says (from my memory) you can array a billion satans against God, and there still would be no contest. He is absolutely correct, and his picture doesn't even begin to describe the actual disparity.

The Bible does warn about false signs and wonders, but one thing satan cannot counterfeit on any enduring basis is the primary character quality of God, which is love. He can throw money, sex, fame and power at us, but we know those are temporary and do not satisfy our deepest needs.

I think the key to this is to get in touch with your inner man and with what does satisfy. Spend some time resting in the Lord, according to His invitation at Mt 11.28-ff. Meditate on Psalm 139. Dwell on the astounding price paid at the cross for you. We love because He first loved us, and he who is forgiven much loves much. That love and the peace it brings will be your guide. Satan's lies cannot compare with the good and kind and gentle gifts of the Lord. See also the characteristics of the wisdom of God, at James 3, and the fruit of the spirit at Gal 5. Anything not consistent with these is not of God, and you have every right to reject it out of hand.

Make sure you're in the Word, getting fresh manna daily. Do it not just for the sake of apologetics - ie, winning arguments - but to feed your soul on God's goodness, kindness, gentleness and faithfulness. If you do that on a consistent basis, your heart will be established by grace, and satan's lies will increasingly have no effect on you.

tturt · Oct 3, 2017

And we're to take every thought captive (II Cor 10:5) and renew our minds with His Word (Rom 12:2) Since you know Scripture, when those erroneous thoughts come, immediately think about Scripture that you know. When they come again, don't dwell on them at all, immediately recall Scriptures.

LoricaLady · Oct 3, 2017

When King Saul was tormented by demons David sang for him and the king got relief. Singing praise songs can be a form of spiritual warfare. When Silas and Paul sang praises in prison they were miraculously released. When King Jehoshaphat's people were about to be attacked by more armies than they could handle, the Priests went before them singing praises. The result? The armies turned against one another and killed one another, plus left 3 behind lot of booty.

When you feel under attack, try singing! Now songs about the Father or Son may have value but it seems to help to change words like "He is worthy" into words like "You are holy." I.e. don't sing about Him, sing to Him.
Praying you get healing and relief.

Greg Merrill · Oct 3, 2017

Dear one, I understand your thinking. I can relate. Lord, I pray that You will help this one to understand that we have our own thinking, can be influence by the devil's thinking as well as other people's thinking. Help him to understanding that You have given us Your thinking in the words of Scripture. Help him to receive the satisfying answer to his question from such scriptures as Isaiah 55:6-9; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 4:4; Psalms 119:89. Help him to understand how important it is to fill our minds with Your Word, Your thoughts, and not those thoughts that are contrary to it. May he learn from Genesis 3:1-5 and the temptations of Jesus in Mt 4 and Luke 4 how there is a battle for the mind, a battle for our thoughts and actions that Satan tries to win over us. May Psalms 119:38 and Psalms 119:80 be his prayer and help deliver him from the battle of this doubt. May he see from Joshua 1:8-9 and 2 Timothy 1:7 how You want him to build up his confidence in Your Word by spending time thinking about it. Possibly he is familiar with Josh McDowell, who set out to destroy confidence in the Bible, but through studying it was radically changed into a strong believer. May he feed on Your Word, rather than feeding on the thoughts that bring doubt, and thus have his carnal sinful nature weakened, and his spiritual nature strengthened. Father, in this prayer I have given him a good starting point in how to overcome this question of doubt. May he continue his own study in Your word, and add to his intellectual and then experiential knowledge of what it takes to overcome this doubt with total victory. Amen.

Pilgrim · Oct 3, 2017

Welcome to Christian Forums. I'll pray for you, along with many others who are praying for you. The answers you seek are in God's word. Pray without ceasing. God loves you. God bless you and be with you. His will be done. In Jesus' name. Amen.

drjean · Oct 3, 2017

VictheMag... you have received very good answers and Scriptures to review.

My approach would follow the "capture every thought" action.
We are in a battle.... not our battle but the one between satan and God, evil versus Good. In the military you learn to take every thought captive because if you don't, the enemy wins.

Modern neuroscience also bears this out: our thoughts ARE entities not ethereal ideas. We create with our mind. The brain has no opinion of it's own, so whatever you feed it is what it will produce. Doubt, seeded by evil intent to keep you from battle, is being produced.

To counter the doubt, speak OUT LOUD to the evil and take command as a good soldier does (I know you understand all this!) Tell it, That is not true! God is truth, God is the Almighty and Most High... as an heir to the throne, take command over evil thoughts by speaking God's truth. (a house divided against itself cannot stand...as God reinforces His truth in you, satan's lies will be obvious and crumble.)

Father touch this one's seeking heart and show wisdom.

Pilgrim · Oct 3, 2017

Amen, praying in agreement. O LORD, touch Victhemag's seeking heart and show him the true wisdom that comes only from Almighty God and his Holy Word. All glory to God in Heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.

knowimsaved · Jul 17, 2018

I recommend you read the book Knowing I’m Saved. It deals with this issue and more. Read the chapter “The Devil’s Treadmill”.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1983249580

Dealing with extreme doubt

New Member

everlovin' shiner of light in dark places

post tenebras lux

Fool

Active Member

Well-Known Member

The Librarian

that your faith might rest in the power of God

Senior Veteran

YHWH's

Well-Known Member

Praying without ceasing

Senior Veteran

Praying without ceasing

Newbie

Similar threads