How does one start believing in God?

[durangodawood]

How does a person go from not believing.... to a belief in God?
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I doubt I can just will belief to happen? That would most likely be a fraudulent self-deception, which wouldnt last.
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I've heard that faith is a gift from God, or something like that. That makes sense. It seems like theres a faith-switch with something like a child-proof cover on it. OR, you are given an experience of Gods presence. Either way, you cannot just generate honest faith out of nothing.
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[Deba]

Have a from the heart conversation with God

 

[durangodawood]

Have a from the heart conversation with God

If the discussion is truly from the heart, that means you already believe.
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[Deba]

He can handle your doubts to answer your desire

 

[durangodawood]

He can handle your doubts to answer your desire

I have to have some degree of solid belief before I can do that. Without that I will feel like some kind of fraud.
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I do believe in God to this degree: whatever people are actually praying to, its REAL. But I just dont know what it is... their own higher conscience? a deity? objective truth?
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[Hentenza]

I have a few honest questions for you.

1. Have you always doubted the existence of God?
2. Have you at any time in your life been a part of any religion?
3. Have you read the bible (or portions of it, what portions?)?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

 

[durangodawood]

I have a few honest questions for you.

1. Have you always doubted the existence of God?
2. Have you at any time in your life been a part of any religion?
3. Have you read the bible (or portions of it, what portions?)?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

1. For most of my life the existence of a personal God has been irrelevant, not even reaching the level of doubt. Just.... nothing. Yet, what Ive read of the mystics of various faiths has been rather persuasive. They have touched something beyond the ordinary. What it exactly is....?
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2. No.
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3. Genesis, Exodus, Ezekiel, parts of Luke, John.
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[Hentenza]

Thank you for your answers.

1. For most of my life the existence of a personal God has been irrelevant, not even reaching the level of doubt. Just.... nothing. Yet, what Ive read of the mystics of various faiths has been rather persuasive. They have touched something beyond the ordinary. What it exactly is....?

I can not attempt to answer this without making the assumption that the "touch" that you are filling is in itself a yearning to believe because of an internal need or desire. If this is the case, then your quest involves keeping an open mind and talking face to face with a pastor (maybe not immediately but at some point). There is no magical formula that will erase doubt. Actually, doubt, when properly channeled, is a strong motivator to achieve knowledge. The problem is that sometimes ones own prejudices get in the way. I was an agnostic for a great portion of my life. My agnostism generated from my own desires to attain societal position and job growth. It left very little time (or even desire) to worry about God. Only when I felt a strong spiritual "emptiness" did I re-channeled my efforts to seeking what I was missing.

2. No.

Good. That maximizes your objectivity.

3. Genesis, Exodus, Ezekiel, parts of Luke, John.

My suggestion would be to read the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Marc, and Luke) paying special attention to the linear historical narrative and the message that Jesus revealed to his disciples. In order to make an apples to apples comparison of other religions to Christianity you should have a working knowledge of what the Christian God teaches and claims.

 

[ebia]

How does a person go from not believing.... to a belief in God?
.
I doubt I can just will belief to happen? That would most likely be a fraudulent self-deception, which wouldnt last.
.
I've heard that faith is a gift from God, or something like that. That makes sense. It seems like theres a faith-switch with something like a child-proof cover on it. OR, you are given an experience of Gods presence. Either way, you cannot just generate honest faith out of nothing.
.

Most people get involved with a worshipping community through relationships or because the community has something that makes it attractive, they belong, then they join, then they learn, then the find they believe.

People tend to assume it should work the other way around, but (for the most part) it doesn't and never has.

 

[Proud Christian 2]

Just beleive. You must beleive. Also, beleive that Jesus was the physical manifestation of God, and he died for our sins, and because of him, we can live. Pray, and invite him into your life. Buy a bible, and read it.
Hoped I helped.

 

[durangodawood]

Just beleive. You must beleive. Also, beleive that Jesus was the physical manifestation of God, and he died for our sins, and because of him, we can live. Pray, and invite him into your life. Buy a bible, and read it.
Hoped I helped.

Thanks for responding. But I dont think you really read my OP nor took it seriously. Unless you are saying that my concerns can just be disregarded without comment... And maybe thats valid. But I'd want to know why.
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[ephraimanesti]

How does a person go from not believing.... to a belief in God?
.
I doubt I can just will belief to happen? That would most likely be a fraudulent self-deception, which wouldnt last.
.
I've heard that faith is a gift from God, or something like that. That makes sense. It seems like theres a faith-switch with something like a child-proof cover on it. OR, you are given an experience of Gods presence. Either way, you cannot just generate honest faith out of nothing.
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MY DEAR BROTHER,

Actually, it seems that in God's eyes, a desperate desire to believe is held to be belief and is enough to attract God's intervention on one's behalf.

Keep in mind that Faith in God is a Gift of God--as you say, one cannot just will him/herself to believe any more than one can lift him/herself up by their boot straps. Wanting to believe with ALL one's heart, mind, soul, and spirit is a prayer that God seems to be most eager to answer. i think, however, that this desire, to be authentic, must have an element of desperation to it in order to attract and secure God's gift of Faith in Him--i.e., we must desire to believe in God with the same fervor and passion with which an alcoholic craves a drink or a junkie wants a fix. A simple, "Gee, I think it might be nice to believe in God" doesn't seem to carry much spiritual weight in God's eyes. He seems to want us to come to Him with a burning passion to know and to love Him.

At least this was true for me.

MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN A LIKE MANNER!

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[DerSchweik]

How does a person go from not believing.... to a belief in God?
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I doubt I can just will belief to happen? That would most likely be a fraudulent self-deception, which wouldnt last.
.
I've heard that faith is a gift from God, or something like that. That makes sense. It seems like theres a faith-switch with something like a child-proof cover on it. OR, you are given an experience of Gods presence. Either way, you cannot just generate honest faith out of nothing.
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This is an excellent question, D - an excellent question!

People need to understand that faith, belief in Him coupled with a desire to obey Him, comes from hearing His word - nowhere else. There is no "revelation" or "experience" a person must encounter to come to faith in God. "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Rom 10:17). God used to speak to man via His prophets, but not today. Today He speaks to us through His word "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His son, whom He appointed heir of all things..." (Hebrews 1:1ff)



One cannot "will" themself to believe in God anymore than one can "will" themself to value one thing over another. "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen..." (Hebrews 11:1f) "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he comes to Him must:

1. Believe that He is (that He exists, etc.)
2. Believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6f)

In other words, faith is more than belief in Him, it also encompasses an abiding VALUE for Him - which value is what motivates one to seek to become a Christian and then motives the Christian to obey Him.

Faith comes through hearing His word - in other words, it comes through reading the bible, no where else. You can't "will" a faith in Him - you need to come to know Him, to see Him for who and what He is and most importantly, you need to come to the point that you VALUE what it is He has to offer. Valuing Him thus, you will be motivated to listen to Him and obey Him. This ONLY comes through reading His word. You cannot come to know Him though some "spiritual experience" apart from His word; nor can you come to know Him by good works done with a view to somehow appease Him. Read His word; study it, pray over it. Get someone to help you through His word --- but GET INTO HIS WORD. All else is vain.

 

[Emmy]

Dear durangodawood. I believe the last resolve has to come from you. If you are sincere in trulyknowing God, just ask Him in prayer. God knows our real motives and wishes, and He told us, " Ask and you will be answered." I say this humbly and with love. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[heron]

In contrast, I think faith is a very logical process. There are elements of giftiness, but in the sense that God often presents Himself before we ask Him to. I have heard of remote villages reporting visitations from God or angels, before missionaries ever arrived.

God's initial contact with humans was one on one.

Faith is a continual building of beliefs, layered with trust. Yes, faith comes by hearing -- it is like putting a layer of roast beef on the sandwich. Then since our trust is built a little by hearing, we put the lettuce on. Then we test whether our faith works, and the layer of cheese is on. Then we read more because the last test worked. It gets thicker and thicker.

My sandwich analogy isn't going to work very long... it will topple over soon. (Time for a faith-switch, faithwich...)

OR, you are given an experience of Gods presence. Either way, you cannot just generate honest faith out of nothing.

A lot of people I know turn to God in a crisis, because they know other people find strength in that. They pray for God to intervene, and He does. It can build from there.

God hears our prayers, and responds. If we don't ask, we have less chance of Him intervening. A prayer can work like an activation... God is always there, but He won't always get involved unless we ask Him to. When we ask, and we see results, our faith is built. When He leads us to information, or we are encouraged by verses, our faith is built up.

Curiosity definitely plays a part. For me, I suddenly realized that I couldn't make sense of the universe unless I applied a creator to the system. Even then it was disturbing, but that's where my search began.

I wanted to find the correct system, so in a sense I wanted to believe in something. I did not automatically believe, but went through a process where I allowed Christianity to make sense for me. Decades later, I am still exploring different concepts and questions. There was a point where I trusted enough of it to head in that direction.

 

[BrotherDave]

How does a person go from not believing.... to a belief in God?

What a GREAT question!. And such an important one.

I doubt I can just will belief to happen? That would most likely be a fraudulent self-deception, which wouldnt last.

You are exactly correct! We cannot just will it. We cannot just choose to accept it. Unfortunately, many do believe this to be true but as you have correctly stated, this type of “belief” will not last. They may go along for quiet a while thinking all is well and they are believing they know the Lord but they will fall away.

No one of himself will go to God. The Bible says very plainly in Romans 3:10-12:
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

I've heard that faith is a gift from God, or something like that. That makes sense. It seems like theres a faith-switch with something like a child-proof cover on it. OR, you are given an experience of Gods presence. Either way, you cannot just generate honest faith out of nothing.
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By nature, man does not want to seek after true belief and 100% faith in Christ. So, just the fact that you are asking this question I think is a good indicator that God may be drawing you closer to Himself. As DerSchweik correctly emphasized the only thing we can do is spend as much time in the Bible as possible. God does his work through His Word. This coupled with sincere, humble prayer for understanding and mercy is all we can do. BUT, do not think that because you are reading and praying this somehow will result in salvation. It is up to God (Ro 9:15) who works on his timetable not ours. People He does save should find and ever increasing love of the gospel, hatred of sin and a very strong desire to do His will (1 John 2:3). Belief, faith and good works are the evidence of salvation, which can never be lost.