Basically, I've only believed in God for about a year (possibly a bit less than that) and before that I was an absolute athiest. I still have my doubts but I'm getting stronger and I pray to God to help me with them. My real problem is that I don't know how to tell those around me about my new found faith. People at school aren't too much of a problem because I have a lot of christian friends, who obviously understand, and those who aren't christian I trust enough to at least try to understand. I struggle to tell my family, however. My father is a complete athiest and my mother, who is a little more open minded, doesn't really believe either. I've spent so long telling them how much I don't believe in God that I now don't know how to tell them I'm trying to be a good Christian and I now believe in God. I'd never say anything Atheist or anti-God but I never say anything Christian either - I just stay quiet it the topic happens to come up. Also, if I'm reading my bible in bed I'll put it down if I think someone's going to come in to my room. I wondered if anyone had any advice on how to deal with this or whether there's anything in the bible that might help me. Thanks!
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How can I be proud of my faith?
- Thread starter Jo-Jo
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fm107
Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20
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Hi Jo-Jo,
I think it might be a bit reassusing to let you know that many Christians right around the world are in the same predicament you are in.
Some Muslims who have become Christians face threats of death even from family members if their family members/friends find out they are now Christian.
Jesus warned us this would happen:
Luke 12:52-53
From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
My advice to you would be to stand up for Jesus. Satan will give you lots of inabitions when it comes to sharing what you believe with others because he doesn't want anyone to find God like you have. But remember this:
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
^This verse means that we are to walk as Jesus walked. That is to deny any sinful cravings we have but it also means we do our duty in professing our faith and not denying it.
John 15:18
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
^The world hated Jesus and if since they hated him many will hate us also as we are his followers. We are not to be suprised at this:
1 John 3:13
Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
Just remember this though, Jesus is with you always!:
Matthew 28:20
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Even your family member might dislike you, I'm just warning you but take comfort in this too:
Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
Luke 18:29-30
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
What makes things difficult for you is that your young spiritualy, you have only recently found God. Satan will seek to use others, even your family members to plant seeds of doubt in you so you have to be very careful and keep this in mind. You might not be able to answer all the questions they might ask you. They may mock you and make you feel uncomfortable but know this, God is with you, he is on your side and you will be blessed for standing up for your belief in him.
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Pray to God about this and ask for his strength and guidance.
If you have any questions you would like a quick answer to, I tend to check my private messages most days and will be able to give you a quick response if you wish to ask something or if you are unsure about a verse.
God bless!
P.S. The gospel of John is a greater starter for new Christians!
I think it might be a bit reassusing to let you know that many Christians right around the world are in the same predicament you are in.
Some Muslims who have become Christians face threats of death even from family members if their family members/friends find out they are now Christian.
Jesus warned us this would happen:
Luke 12:52-53
From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
My advice to you would be to stand up for Jesus. Satan will give you lots of inabitions when it comes to sharing what you believe with others because he doesn't want anyone to find God like you have. But remember this:
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
^This verse means that we are to walk as Jesus walked. That is to deny any sinful cravings we have but it also means we do our duty in professing our faith and not denying it.
John 15:18
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
^The world hated Jesus and if since they hated him many will hate us also as we are his followers. We are not to be suprised at this:
1 John 3:13
Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
Just remember this though, Jesus is with you always!:
Matthew 28:20
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Even your family member might dislike you, I'm just warning you but take comfort in this too:
Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
Luke 18:29-30
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
What makes things difficult for you is that your young spiritualy, you have only recently found God. Satan will seek to use others, even your family members to plant seeds of doubt in you so you have to be very careful and keep this in mind. You might not be able to answer all the questions they might ask you. They may mock you and make you feel uncomfortable but know this, God is with you, he is on your side and you will be blessed for standing up for your belief in him.
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Pray to God about this and ask for his strength and guidance.
If you have any questions you would like a quick answer to, I tend to check my private messages most days and will be able to give you a quick response if you wish to ask something or if you are unsure about a verse.
God bless!
P.S. The gospel of John is a greater starter for new Christians!
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Formerly_a_Saul
Newbie
Wow, I praise God that He is working in you. Unfortunately though, the answer isn't easy and may not be what you want to hear. You must stand up for Truth and what you know is Truth. Jesus commands us to make disciples of all the nations and to teach them to obey the Lord (Matt 28:16-28). So professing your faith is necessary. No doubt you will be pressured or even harassed, but Matthew 10:32-38 is one of the harshest things for a growing Christian to understand.
"Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. Don't assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn:
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and a man's enemies will be the members of his household.
The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it."
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Thank you to both of you! What you both said made me realise that I shouldn't be so afraid of their thoughts on my faith. Thank you for all the biblical references too. I'm going to pray for God's help with it and next time the topic comes up I'm going to say what I feel.. Well, that's the plan 
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Formerly_a_Saul
Newbie
Thank you to both of you! What you both said made me realise that I shouldn't be so afraid of their thoughts on my faith. Thank you for all the biblical references too. I'm going to pray for God's help with it and next time the topic comes up I'm going to say what I feel.. Well, that's the plan
Always keep your eyes upon God, never deny Him. God Bless.
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ChildOfGod97
Regular Member
How does anyone argue for what they believe in?
Why anyone does not believe in Christ is beyond me, what is to believe against? Shall they believe in hating one's enemies and one's neighbors? In being judgmental? In being condemning?
True goodness may win a lot of hate and judgmentalness, it may be tested, but in the end it is seen for what it is and so is inarguable.
For one's own family, do recall the verse about a doctor not working on one's own family, it is those who are closest to us hardest to hear, but God owns and is truly Master of all whether they believe now or not.
'Salvation is by grace', and 'those whom the Father leads to the Son are not turned away'.
My guess would be Jesus largely kept His head down for those first thirty years, except where it is stated He did otherwise, such as when He was 12 and preached to the elders in the Temple.
As for doing things such as blatantly reading the Bible in front of people, I did this myself until my brother said, "What are you a holy roller" and I saw it was causing him to stumble. I strive to keep my own faith private, and on Scripture remember the verse often 'you study and study Scripture but do not come to me'. There are matters which conscience dictates to be private on, and matters which we should not be silent on.
With any matter of unbeliever we should at all times strive to speak to where they are, and not 'worry about what we say' but leave the door of faith open for the Spirit to give us words whenever and to whomever the Spirit may deign to give us testimony.
In between then we may always contemplate on God and the truth, however. Few greater testimonies exist then simply knowing the heart of joy and peace, the Kingdom of God which is within, which whether you doubt or not truly is shone out through us - with or without words - just as from the heart always comes one's words and deeds.
Remember then to always keep your heart straight before the Lord, for the Body is the Temple and therefore the Heart the Holy of Holies: from this walking in faith your light will shine naturally before men.
Stand before God, and God will stand before you in His Righteous Testimony, wherever you go.
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Thank you childofGod97 Can I just ask one question please? Sorry! Did you mean in paragraph 7 that if by telling my family about my faith that I would do them more harm than good that I should keep quiet. I don't understand how it could have any bad affect? Sorry again!
Can I just ask one question please? Sorry! Did you mean in paragraph 7 that if by telling my family about my faith that I would do them more harm than good that I should keep quiet. I don't understand how it could have any bad affect? Sorry again!
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You are young. It takes time, study and effort to develop a thorough, confident ability to comminicate what you believe. With practise you can get a lot better. I am still learning as I face up to some of the more modern challenges.
John
NZ
John
NZ
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ChildOfGod97
Regular Member
Thank you childofGod97
No black and white like that. Finesse. Many words do not make a message more true but can water it down.
Sometimes there is a call for many words, sometimes not.
Sometimes simply showing how at peace one is can say many words, and some of the strongest testimony can be in our silence, as opposed to say, in a wordy defense. Sometimes not.
This is all speaking of the outward first, however.
Focus on what is in the heart, and trust the Spirit for what comes out in words and deeds. If your heart is right, then what comes out in words and deeds will be right.
Don't look for methods of eloquence or crafty arguments, but look for keeping your heart right and God will provide the necessary eloquence and arguments where and when needed.
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fm107
Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20
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Yeah, we need to be careful that we are not pointing the finger at people and calling them sinners. This will just make people hate and despise you.
Instead, you can let them know you are a Christian and leave it at that. You don't have to try and persuade them or anything, what you do and how you act is enough to do that!
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Unless people know that your a Christian they will not know why you act the way you do, so, if they catch you with a bible then fine. That is all that needs to be done in order for them to know that you’re a Christian.
We should not hide the fact that we are Christians but doing the opposite can have a bad affect like ChildOfGod made his brother despise him for it. So letting people know you’re a Christian is good but throwing verses in their faces and calling them sinners and things like that is not a good thing.
If they see your good works, they might enquire to know more about God, and then you have an opportunity to tell them in love about God and all he has done for them.
As you grow spiritually and God shows you more about himself, you will learn with experience how to talk with people about God. I am still learning myself.
Instead, you can let them know you are a Christian and leave it at that. You don't have to try and persuade them or anything, what you do and how you act is enough to do that!
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Unless people know that your a Christian they will not know why you act the way you do, so, if they catch you with a bible then fine. That is all that needs to be done in order for them to know that you’re a Christian.
We should not hide the fact that we are Christians but doing the opposite can have a bad affect like ChildOfGod made his brother despise him for it. So letting people know you’re a Christian is good but throwing verses in their faces and calling them sinners and things like that is not a good thing.
If they see your good works, they might enquire to know more about God, and then you have an opportunity to tell them in love about God and all he has done for them.
As you grow spiritually and God shows you more about himself, you will learn with experience how to talk with people about God. I am still learning myself.
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Greetings Jo-Jo ,
...Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: <-----> 1st Peter 3:15
Often the most effective witnessing occurs as we focus upon The Lord and His Attributes , which in turn influences our thinking , our attitude , our actions , which in turn arouses the attention of those who have had their interest perked , who then come to us and inquire of what it is we believe / draw inspiration / strength from , which opens the door for us to humbly witness to someone who is intent on hearing what we have to say .
This principle fits well with Jesus' command to His followers to " let their light shine " .
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. <-----> Matthew 5:16
Fittingly , we should preach what we practice , for then our words are supported and carry the weight of a steadfastly honest testimony .
Many people are unnecessarily offended when " witnessing " appears to have little or no tangible supporting evidence .
First and foremost , therefore , seek to witness behaviorally , and then , " a word in due season " can be a beautifully , undeniable influence for believing in God & Christ .
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! <-----> Proverbs 15:23
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching;
Or he that exhorts, on exhortation... <-----> Romans 12:6-8
Also - family and those who've been close to us for some time , can be harder to be a witness to than strangers and new acquaintances , largely because they've already formed a strong regard for us , based upon how and who've been in the past .
May The Lord Be Pleased to Lead , Guide , & Direct , To The Glory of God !
Welcome to the forums / welcome to the faith !
wm
...Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: <-----> 1st Peter 3:15
Often the most effective witnessing occurs as we focus upon The Lord and His Attributes , which in turn influences our thinking , our attitude , our actions , which in turn arouses the attention of those who have had their interest perked , who then come to us and inquire of what it is we believe / draw inspiration / strength from , which opens the door for us to humbly witness to someone who is intent on hearing what we have to say .
This principle fits well with Jesus' command to His followers to " let their light shine " .
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. <-----> Matthew 5:16
Fittingly , we should preach what we practice , for then our words are supported and carry the weight of a steadfastly honest testimony .
Many people are unnecessarily offended when " witnessing " appears to have little or no tangible supporting evidence .
First and foremost , therefore , seek to witness behaviorally , and then , " a word in due season " can be a beautifully , undeniable influence for believing in God & Christ .
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! <-----> Proverbs 15:23
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching;
Or he that exhorts, on exhortation... <-----> Romans 12:6-8
Also - family and those who've been close to us for some time , can be harder to be a witness to than strangers and new acquaintances , largely because they've already formed a strong regard for us , based upon how and who've been in the past .
May The Lord Be Pleased to Lead , Guide , & Direct , To The Glory of God !
Welcome to the forums / welcome to the faith !
wm
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sbbqb7n16
Veteran - Blue Bible Dude
Well, what made you change your mind about atheism?
That question can be a source to finding some good answers to their questions. For the questions they ask that you don't know, you can reply using these words, "I don't know"
You don't have to know everything to be a Christian, but it does help to know why you are one.
That question can be a source to finding some good answers to their questions. For the questions they ask that you don't know, you can reply using these words, "I don't know"
You don't have to know everything to be a Christian, but it does help to know why you are one.
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BelovedLight
Seeking His Face
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adluterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Mark 8:38
I believe you will find strength and courage to stand strong where you are. It's not easy to take the first step but this is what you must do to grow in your walk. Do not hide your light, the glorious light that is His will shine forth and dare I say it...with the ability to touch your family with transforming power as it has you. Be proud you are a daughter of The Most High God, and He will do with you great things.
Mark 8:38
I believe you will find strength and courage to stand strong where you are. It's not easy to take the first step but this is what you must do to grow in your walk. Do not hide your light, the glorious light that is His will shine forth and dare I say it...with the ability to touch your family with transforming power as it has you. Be proud you are a daughter of The Most High God, and He will do with you great things.
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