HELP! I'M A STUPID CHRISTIAN!

[arnie252]

I am. I keep falling for the same attacks from Satan, and only a person with a really weak, confused mind could continually fall into the same, stupid pit. I guess you could say I'm a spiritual retard (at least, I seem to be). Well, I'll let you be the judge.

This is complicated, and it probably won't make any sense, but I hope someone can help me. When I became a Christian last march, I fasted for three days. It didn't seem like enough. Often times when I felt like eating, it felt like I was choosing food over God, so my conscience screamed at me for taking a bite. I thought God wanted me to show that I was devoted to Him and Him alone. I would refrain from eating quite often, until finally in december, I prayed that God would teach me wisdom and discernment, and give me the answer I needed so that I wouldn't feel guilty every time that I ate. (By the way, I had no eating disorder before any of this). I felt that God wanted me to fast until I gained the wisdom. So I did. I fasted three days, praying and seeking that wisdom, and trying not to think too much about food. My family (not Christians) noticed how thin and gaunt I was looking. They told me how extreme my fasting was, and I tried to explain that I needed to for wisdom. They told me that God probably didn't want me to do this. I wondered whether God was speaking through them, or the devil trying to knock me down. I kept with the fast. Finally, on Christmas, I read a passage in the Bible where Paul talked about how a strong Christian's actions can negatively effect a weaker Christian's faith. I reflected on that, and it seemed that the I'd gained the bit of wisdom I'd been seeking, which was that my fasting was deterring my family from Christ because of it's over-extremeness.

Okay, so I overcame that. Now I'll explain a related problem that has currently fallen upon me. Last Summer, following the advice in a book, I made an oath to God: "No Bible, No Breakfast." That way I'd always make sure I read the Bible every day. Well, since December, the devil has used that against me as well. Every morning I read three chapters and pray over them. And somehow it's become an obligation along with that oath that I also pray for some missionaries before breakfast. As I was reaching the end of my daily prayers, the thought entered my head that I had some unconfessed sins from the night before (even though I had confessed them, I thought I hadn't confessed them sincerely enough). So I confessed them. Then the thought struck me that God hadn't heard what I'd prayed before confessing, because "If I regard iniquity in my heart, God won't hear me." It had been a long prayer too. Do I need to go back and pray again, I wondered? Suddenly I was confused, and I knew it was of the devil. But I still felt strongly inclined to pray it again. I wanted to resist the devil, but he'd gotten into my mind. I tried to go back and pray, but then it seemed I was just praying so I could eat, and it didn't seem right. As a result of this, I couldn't eat breakfast; my conscience wouldn't allow me. I went the whole day without eating. I know why the devil does it; he wants my desire for food to distract me from God and even resent Him, AND IT WORKS! But if I sit down and eat in doubt, I defile my conscience, because "anything not done in faith is sin." Even when I'm pretty certain its the devil, I don't eat because I might have doubts, which is a doubt in itself. (See how confused and complicated my mind is?) It's kind of a "heads I win, tails you lose" situation for the devil. I'm losing weight and becoming unhealthy, but at the same time it doesn't seem like God has freed me from that nagging doubt. I don't know how to overcome the devil on this. Can anyone help me?

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

You need to eat. It's not the lord's will for you to starve to death. You also don't need to fast for periods of time while waiting for an answer from the Lord. You should also fill you mind with the Word and ask the Lord to help you with your doubt. Also, watch what oaths you make to the Lord and be sure you can fufil them. It's best you repent from making this one and not make any simular ones unless you feel it's the Lord impressing it upon you. Also, use the Word to see if it's the Lord or the Devil. In this case, it definintely is not the Lord causing this confusion and filling your mind with doubt. It's also a good idea to speak the Word.

 

[Apologetic]

Do you have a Bible, dear one? If not, you should get one or start reading it here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

I recommend that you start with the gospel of John, then go through the other gospels, Acts, letters and epistles.

God bless you ENORMOUSLY according to His will, dear one.

 

[Mrs. Enigma]

I have had simialar problems. My husband is very helpful though. He tells me that if that thing in my head tells me that I must do something, to not obey it. We should be following God out of love and willingness in our heart. I think that in the old testament it says that if when your dad or husband hears of a vow you have made and they object or release you from the vow when they hear it for the first time, then you are released and it is on their head. I am not saying you should try to get released, but just giving info.

I think satan may be using your religion against you, with the guilting. I advise you to not make any more vows, however, as they can be dangerous.

While it is true that God wants obedience and full submission, I do not think He wants you to be constantly being mean to yourself by dumping loads of guilt on yourself.
If you sin you need to accept God's forgiveness and grace. You need to realize that He reallly loves you. He knows that you willl mess up. Try to read the Bible realizing that God is a loving Father. Christians are under grace instead of the old law.

I think that some of the things you talk of are more of a lack of faith or almost superstition. God looks at your heart.

I need to go, but I really am a lot like you, but my husband has helped me to do good things because I want to, instead of out of guilt and fear.

Fasting is great, but out of love and wanting to, UI do not know if you should do it if it is some compulsive obsession that you guilt yourself intio doing.

Peace!

 

[Silent Enigma]

Along with my wife's advice, I'd say to throw out your books.

There is a neverending supply of "God wants you to do such and such a thing in such and such a way..." kind of books. Avoid them like the plague! Think of them as rabid monkeys trying to bite you. (Couldn't resist. )

If God wanted you to do all these certain things (I'm generalizing based on my own experiences) why didn't He make it readily evident in Scripture? Why is it always these vague half-verses?

 

[Silent Enigma]

Also, I've found that LEGALISM and MORALITY are two very different things. They are not complementary.

In our goals of serving God and living righteously, we can get sidetracked by "good" sounding things, that are actually just traps.

 

[Dedicated]

It's all about this one question, am i serving GOD? By eating you maintain strength to witness and pray and give glory to god through your body and actions. Yes God wants you to eat. He does not say starve for me. In the bible paul talks about how he would rather be in heaven than earth but that he reconizes his need to serve. The point of this is that sometimes we think that something might benfit us or our condition of spirituallity, but its all about, is it serving GOD. Everyone of us were made to glorify him, fasting is okay but not if endagers you or your life that can be used for God. Think of your body as a statement. When you don't care for that scrap of paper, thats our life, it becomes frayed and worn and unrecognizable. When you preserve it iit can be read for ages and ages even after the wood around it has rotted away and needs to be replaced. God Bless.

 

[thereselittleflower]

We can be affected by what is called scrupulosity . . an abnormal habit of imagining sin where none exists . .


This sounds exactly like what arnie is sharing . .

I dealt with this, though not in such a serious form, for years . . I had no idea that it really was even abnormal until I realized one day that it was gone . . and this happened after spending time in an Adoration Chapel to pray every week for several months . .I noticed one day that these thoughts and worries were gone . . vanished . . and for the first time I realized what a relief this was!

That was over a year ago and they have not come back . .

I truly believe in the healing presence of Christ . .


Peace in Him!

 

[British One]

HELP! I'M A STUPID CHRISTIAN!

Join the club. There's plenty of us.

 

[allieisme]

First of all, let me say that you ARE NOT A STUPID CHRISTIAN! Please dont think that, hears what I've heard in the past,
When your walk with the Lord becomes stronger and wiser, thats when satan attacks even stronger, and you just need to recognize in those times, that he is attacking you, because you and God are becoming closer again, tell satan to step back and get behind you, in Jesus name, and he must flee from you.

 

[sawdust]

I am. I keep falling for the same attacks from Satan, and only a person with a really weak, confused mind could continually fall into the same, stupid pit. I guess you could say I'm a spiritual retard (at least, I seem to be). Well, I'll let you be the judge.

This is complicated, and it probably won't make any sense, but I hope someone can help me. When I became a Christian last march, I fasted for three days. It didn't seem like enough. Often times when I felt like eating, it felt like I was choosing food over God, so my conscience screamed at me for taking a bite. I thought God wanted me to show that I was devoted to Him and Him alone. I would refrain from eating quite often, until finally in december, I prayed that God would teach me wisdom and discernment, and give me the answer I needed so that I wouldn't feel guilty every time that I ate. (By the way, I had no eating disorder before any of this). I felt that God wanted me to fast until I gained the wisdom. So I did. I fasted three days, praying and seeking that wisdom, and trying not to think too much about food. My family (not Christians) noticed how thin and gaunt I was looking. They told me how extreme my fasting was, and I tried to explain that I needed to for wisdom. They told me that God probably didn't want me to do this. I wondered whether God was speaking through them, or the devil trying to knock me down. I kept with the fast. Finally, on Christmas, I read a passage in the Bible where Paul talked about how a strong Christian's actions can negatively effect a weaker Christian's faith. I reflected on that, and it seemed that the I'd gained the bit of wisdom I'd been seeking, which was that my fasting was deterring my family from Christ because of it's over-extremeness.

Okay, so I overcame that. Now I'll explain a related problem that has currently fallen upon me. Last Summer, following the advice in a book, I made an oath to God: "No Bible, No Breakfast." That way I'd always make sure I read the Bible every day. Well, since December, the devil has used that against me as well. Every morning I read three chapters and pray over them. And somehow it's become an obligation along with that oath that I also pray for some missionaries before breakfast. As I was reaching the end of my daily prayers, the thought entered my head that I had some unconfessed sins from the night before (even though I had confessed them, I thought I hadn't confessed them sincerely enough). So I confessed them. Then the thought struck me that God hadn't heard what I'd prayed before confessing, because "If I regard iniquity in my heart, God won't hear me." It had been a long prayer too. Do I need to go back and pray again, I wondered? Suddenly I was confused, and I knew it was of the devil. But I still felt strongly inclined to pray it again. I wanted to resist the devil, but he'd gotten into my mind. I tried to go back and pray, but then it seemed I was just praying so I could eat, and it didn't seem right. As a result of this, I couldn't eat breakfast; my conscience wouldn't allow me. I went the whole day without eating. I know why the devil does it; he wants my desire for food to distract me from God and even resent Him, AND IT WORKS! But if I sit down and eat in doubt, I defile my conscience, because "anything not done in faith is sin." Even when I'm pretty certain its the devil, I don't eat because I might have doubts, which is a doubt in itself. (See how confused and complicated my mind is?) It's kind of a "heads I win, tails you lose" situation for the devil. I'm losing weight and becoming unhealthy, but at the same time it doesn't seem like God has freed me from that nagging doubt. I don't know how to overcome the devil on this. Can anyone help me?

"Now, therefore there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1

When are sinners free from guilt? NOW
Why are sinners free from guilt? Because their true identity is hid in Jesus.
How do they stay guilt free? They follow the Spirit of love not the Law of flesh.

Looking at your post I see someone who is riddled with guilt, confusion, fear and compulsion which leaves them exhausted. Do you know that person is dead? He died to sin with Christ, he no longer lives. Why are you getting him out of his tomb and taking his advice on matters? Forget him, bury him and leave him there! I won't take any "buts" on the matter either!
Now with that done I see the real Arnie. Wisdom, righteousness, peace, joy, love all these things I see. What's that? You think I'm mistaking you for Jesus. Well yes, I am seeing Jesus but there is no mistake. That is His promise to us...our lives are hid in Christ.
When the devil comes calling and tells you "do this or do that..... or else" and you are confused or scared or feeling guilty, tell the devil he is wasting his time talking to a "dead man". If he (or anyone for that matter) thinks there is a problem with your life tell them to go take it up with Jesus because that is where your life is.
I'll let you in on a secret. Do you remember the guy praying (Luke 18:13) "be merciful to me Lord, a sinner"? Well he only saw the top layer of filthy rags he was wearing but God looked down and saw right down to his grotty, urine stained underwear and still had mercy. How good is that!
Wahoo! Jesus loves me this I know...
So, in light of this great love with which He loves us, it's time to strip off all the filthy rags (fasting, not fasting, vows etc) and run naked before the Lord.
It's time to "free Arnie"....So Be It Lord!
Be at peace my friend because Jesus has made it to be that way now.
God Bless

 

[Bonhoffer]

I am. I keep falling for the same attacks from Satan, and only a person with a really weak, confused mind could continually fall into the same, stupid pit. I guess you could say I'm a spiritual retard (at least, I seem to be). Well, I'll let you be the judge.

This is complicated, and it probably won't make any sense, but I hope someone can help me. When I became a Christian last march, I fasted for three days. It didn't seem like enough. Often times when I felt like eating, it felt like I was choosing food over God, so my conscience screamed at me for taking a bite. I thought God wanted me to show that I was devoted to Him and Him alone. I would refrain from eating quite often, until finally in december, I prayed that God would teach me wisdom and discernment, and give me the answer I needed so that I wouldn't feel guilty every time that I ate. (By the way, I had no eating disorder before any of this). I felt that God wanted me to fast until I gained the wisdom. So I did. I fasted three days, praying and seeking that wisdom, and trying not to think too much about food. My family (not Christians) noticed how thin and gaunt I was looking. They told me how extreme my fasting was, and I tried to explain that I needed to for wisdom. They told me that God probably didn't want me to do this. I wondered whether God was speaking through them, or the devil trying to knock me down. I kept with the fast. Finally, on Christmas, I read a passage in the Bible where Paul talked about how a strong Christian's actions can negatively effect a weaker Christian's faith. I reflected on that, and it seemed that the I'd gained the bit of wisdom I'd been seeking, which was that my fasting was deterring my family from Christ because of it's over-extremeness.

Okay, so I overcame that. Now I'll explain a related problem that has currently fallen upon me. Last Summer, following the advice in a book, I made an oath to God: "No Bible, No Breakfast." That way I'd always make sure I read the Bible every day. Well, since December, the devil has used that against me as well. Every morning I read three chapters and pray over them. And somehow it's become an obligation along with that oath that I also pray for some missionaries before breakfast. As I was reaching the end of my daily prayers, the thought entered my head that I had some unconfessed sins from the night before (even though I had confessed them, I thought I hadn't confessed them sincerely enough). So I confessed them. Then the thought struck me that God hadn't heard what I'd prayed before confessing, because "If I regard iniquity in my heart, God won't hear me." It had been a long prayer too. Do I need to go back and pray again, I wondered? Suddenly I was confused, and I knew it was of the devil. But I still felt strongly inclined to pray it again. I wanted to resist the devil, but he'd gotten into my mind. I tried to go back and pray, but then it seemed I was just praying so I could eat, and it didn't seem right. As a result of this, I couldn't eat breakfast; my conscience wouldn't allow me. I went the whole day without eating. I know why the devil does it; he wants my desire for food to distract me from God and even resent Him, AND IT WORKS! But if I sit down and eat in doubt, I defile my conscience, because "anything not done in faith is sin." Even when I'm pretty certain its the devil, I don't eat because I might have doubts, which is a doubt in itself. (See how confused and complicated my mind is?) It's kind of a "heads I win, tails you lose" situation for the devil. I'm losing weight and becoming unhealthy, but at the same time it doesn't seem like God has freed me from that nagging doubt. I don't know how to overcome the devil on this. Can anyone help me?

Your trying to take too much on and its harming your spiritual process. You dont need to do all this stuff to honour and serve the lord. You've already accepted him as your saviour and so you are forgiven for all the wrongs you have ever done and will do. Don't put yourself through these daft rituals because they will only hinder your relationship with God. Just eat normally and read the Bible when you are in the right mood to eat it. Otherwise you are just reading words and not learning anything. I don't read the Bible every single day!
I would also advise that Bible reading is an evening activity because you are more usually awake then.

Hope you get out of this cycle and get back with the lord.

God Bless

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

Colossions 2:21ff talks about this sort of thing.

I'm not conviced Satan has anything to do with this - simple confusion is enough. You want to serve God - that must involve doing things right, surely?

And it does. But it's not about creating ourselves petty little sets of rules which we then have no power to release ourselves from. It's not like monasticism - a monk chooses to live according to a rule of discipline, but he spends many months examining himself to see whether this is the right way for him to live. Compare this with reading an inspirational paperback (I know the type - always written by people who could bring fried fish back to life if they prayed in a fish and chip shop) and taking on oneself almost at a whim some little rule. Gradually we can collect more and more little rules until we've subjected ourselves, unexaminedly and unwittingly, to a rule as strict as any Religious Order.

Fasting until you receive some kind of enlightenment is a dangerous road. We can be mistaken - there may be no enlightenment to come. When do we stop? When we die? When under the influence of hypoglycaemia we fall into a trance and mistake that for enlightenment? Or when we realise that there was none to come? Better to say you will fast for X period and devote yourself to prayer for then, and accept whatever enlightenment God may or may not give you.

So say I. Your mileage my vary.

 

[goodgirl]

yes, it sounds like you are the Christian being overwhelmed by the "strength" (or whatever) of other Christians... and it is weakening you.

God's dearest wish is for a true relationship with us. We're not his slaves or his errand-boys... we're his children. He wants to spend time with us and to have us enjoy spending time with him! Also, prayer is a 2-way street... you're not just rattling off stuff to God, ideally it is a quiet time when He can talk to or soothe or just love you.

God made human beings, not human doings!!

 

[Sketcher]

Here's a good passage for you to memorize and think on: Romans 8: 31-39.

God LOVES you! Jesus LOVES you! He came and died a horrible death so you can be with Him. And He has you. He's not going to let your inadequacies or mine get in the way of that. You don't have to be harsh on yourself to win His smile. Christ Himself intercedes on your behalf to the Father!

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba (Aramaic for Daddy), Father." - Rom 8:15

Read these verses. Memorize them. And rest in them.