On doubts over matters of inspiration

[31gH9N.9.]

I hope someone on her can help. I've been recently suffering from strange and powerful persuasions that seem to be very deep rooted in my conscience. I have been having very intense doubts about certain writers of books of the bible, namely Paul, and even Luke for writing about Paul. I had these doubts many months ago and they ended up subsiding at one point for a time but have come back. At the same time I find that when I read from the gospels I am convicted that Jesus wants me to quit my job and be a homeless minister in the city. I believe these doubts about Paul came back since many places in his writings we find that Christians should work to provide for themselves and others.
I have also found myself believing that God doesn't want me reading the Old Testament either.

Has anyone ever found themselves in this place and been delivered from such a deception if it is one? I'm at this point now where my conscience will only let me read the gospels, and when I do, it constantly nags at me that I need to quit my job and be homeless in order to follow Jesus. I used to really love to read the bible and now it's like it's falling apart in my hands

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

All of those temptations are common to men around the world.
Resist the devil and he will flee (from any saved person).

Stay at your job (as GOD'S WORD says - do not be moved so fast out of your position, unless GOD closes that door) yes - stay there if it is an honest job.

Stay in prayer, and read the BIBLE as you are able to.
LOVE meditating BIBLE passages.
This is the CREATOR'S WORD. BREATHED BY HIM.

When the time is right, reading the whole BIBLE - TORAH , PROPHETS, PSALMS
as well as the NEW TESTAMENT will be SHEER JOY ----

although like eating honeycomb, that becomes bitter in the stomach --- GOD'S DOING for those who are HIS, who have a living conscience, a living spirit, who are seeking HIM.
The REVELATION of GOD'S WORD as we read it,
results in devastation and embarrassment inside us,
because of sin.

(our own, and the sins of mankind/ society all around us) As we become aware, and repent, we are astonished and flabbergasted and broken hearted (and sin in us is broken)
that all mankind could (and has and does) sin so greatly against the SAVIOR JESUS WHO was CRUCIFIED for us, and WHO was raised from the dead, never to die again, so we can have confidence and trust HIM
that we can take part in the resurrection!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

That being the case I suggest you to put it aside for a season, get on with providing for your material needs. Don't even pray if all you are going to do is rehearse your doubts to God (He's not going to send a special message to you). You are under attack by a demon(s) and the vector is your preoccupation with your doubts.

 

[31gH9N.9.]

Ok so since reading your posts until today, I my struggles in this area were pretty minimal. I didn't doubt that Paul's writings are inspired and I believed that it was not the will of God for me to quit my job and be homeless in the city near to where I live.
The past few days whenever I read or sing a hymn that has something to do with coming to Christ before it's too late, I get this sense that I've never really come to Him, and that over time I've become harder and harder of heart. I realize that I don't even really know what it takes to come to Him, but just get this vague yet powerful conviction that I'm unwilling to let myself go or something.
So just a little bit ago I found myself needing to read the Bible and truly come to Christ however he wants me to and I immediately am hit with all these doubts and persuasions to become homeless for Him again, I start thinking that in prefer to come to Him I must denounce Paul's doctrine, and if I don't I'm doomed.
I don't really know what to do, and this is kind of what keeps me from surrendering to Jesus because as soon as I contemplate doing so, this is where my head goes. I have sought much counsel on this subject and studied day after day, month after month and over a year now. I don't like when we sing I Surrender All, because this is where my thoughts go.
I even got so discouraged earlier today that I began to think I truly would never be saved and that I might as well give up, and even entertained the thought that Jesus really isn't the Savior because if He was then surely after all this seeking I would have found peace.
I've always been told that it's just the devil playing tricks on me but that doesn't help anymore, because if it's true then it's truly hopeless because I'm up against some supernatural super intelligent being without any backup.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Any 'voice' that denounces Scripture, any part of Scripture,
is from a source opposed to Jesus.

This is very common on earth, and often 'adapted' to try to have 'peace', but not in truth, and not at all peace in Jesus.

The only hope for freedom and life is in Jesus, in line with all of God's Word.
This is the Way, the Truth, and the Life=== only in Jesus.

Some of the idiosyncrecies , or troubling thoughts, may be from long ago in your life or even from recent things
that you heard or were told, and likely from someone you cared about or thought you were supposed to trust.

 

[31gH9N.9.]

Any 'voice' that denounces Scripture, any part of Scripture,
is from a source opposed to Jesus.

Thank you friend, as I read that I was reminded of all the times that Jesus proclaimed "It is written,..."

 

[Adstar]

I hope someone on her can help. I've been recently suffering from strange and powerful persuasions that seem to be very deep rooted in my conscience. I have been having very intense doubts about certain writers of books of the bible, namely Paul, and even Luke for writing about Paul. I had these doubts many months ago and they ended up subsiding at one point for a time but have come back. At the same time I find that when I read from the gospels I am convicted that Jesus wants me to quit my job and be a homeless minister in the city. I believe these doubts about Paul came back since many places in his writings we find that Christians should work to provide for themselves and others.
I have also found myself believing that God doesn't want me reading the Old Testament either.

Has anyone ever found themselves in this place and been delivered from such a deception if it is one? I'm at this point now where my conscience will only let me read the gospels, and when I do, it constantly nags at me that I need to quit my job and be homeless in order to follow Jesus. I used to really love to read the bible and now it's like it's falling apart in my hands

The Bible is the Inspired word of God.. If i was getting the feeling that "god" was moving me to reject portions of the Bible i would no longer believe i was recieving those thoughts from God.. I would suspect that i was being decieved by an evil spirit..

Paul and Luke where inspired and their words are true and good..

 

[31gH9N.9.]

This is still a daily struggle. I feel like as long as I keep my job and read Paul's writings, I'm hardening my heart. Sometimes I see a great need to walk with Christ in the light, and I purpose within my heart to do so, but soon I'm met with these very powerful persuasions that tell me that I have to abandon Paul's teachings and quit my job and be homeless, otherwise I have no part with Christ. Almost every time I eat I think I'm sinning and I feel like I've committed a sin for buying a smart phone ( even though I kind of need it to take pictures of stuff at work.)

I don't even know how to explain this but it's like if I don't do these things than it is most certainly hell for me. I just see so much sin in my life right now and feel like it's all connected with my job and reading Paul.

I do have a question. Is there anywhere in the old testament that says that the mosaic law would be later removed or that there would be this new law of Christ that Paul writes of?

 

[Steve Petersen]

I do have a question. Is there anywhere in the old testament that says that the mosaic law would be later removed or that there would be this new law of Christ that Paul writes of?

Jeremiah 31 speaks of a new covenant with Israel and Judah that is different than the one God made with their fathers at Sinai. He speaks of writing his commandments on their hearts, and every man will know God. But since these are not completely fulfilled, the New Covenant must be a work in progress, initiated by Jesus.

 

[2win]

This is still a daily struggle. I feel like as long as I keep my job and read Paul's writings, I'm hardening my heart. Sometimes I see a great need to walk with Christ in the light, and I purpose within my heart to do so, but soon I'm met with these very powerful persuasions that tell me that I have to abandon Paul's teachings and quit my job and be homeless, otherwise I have no part with Christ. Almost every time I eat I think I'm sinning and I feel like I've committed a sin for buying a smart phone ( even though I kind of need it to take pictures of stuff at work.)

I don't even know how to explain this but it's like if I don't do these things than it is most certainly hell for me. I just see so much sin in my life right now and feel like it's all connected with my job and reading Paul.

I do have a question. Is there anywhere in the old testament that says that the mosaic law would be later removed or that there would be this new law of Christ that Paul writes of?

"The flesh wars against the spirit." Yes, this is from the apostle Paul; but as been said earlier; Paul's wrtings are inspired by God. I was called to preach God's Word many years ago while holding a job, and I have for many years; I am 84 now, in a veteran's home, and still serving the Lord, The first thing I believe you need to do is make sure you have received Jesus Christ as your "personal Lord, and Savior."

 

[2win]

"The flesh wars against the spirit." Yes, this is from the apostle Paul; but as been said earlier; Paul's wrtings are inspired by God. I was called to preach God's Word many years ago while holding a job, and I have for many years; I am 84 now, in a veteran's home, and still serving the Lord, The first thing I believe you need to do is make sure you have received Jesus Christ as your "personal Lord, and Savior."

 

[2win]

I see a feeling in you of wanting to serve our Lord, while another spirit is Waring against you. I suggest that we all pray for you; May God bless you.

 

[31gH9N.9.]

Honestly I have always wondered if I am really a child of God or not. I've had a time when I with all my heart believed that when He hung on the cross he had me on His mind the whole journey there, in spite of how unlovable and faithless I was. But even when I realized that I immediately started thinking that I needed to give up all these things like me family and be homeless for Him. I was baptized not long ago for the remission of my sins but I still go through all these motions daily, thinking that I haven't surrendered enough and what not.

That being said, the whole doubting Paul thing definitely didn't start until someone else planted that thought into my life. I do see that a lot of people really just bring up false accusations about him and fortunately I've read enough of the bible now to start seeing that. It's just an intense persuasion that sometimes cripples me from going any further with Christ unless I submit to it. If it is false and I'm not really saved then it is really wasting some precious time. Sometimes it goes on for days and has persisted for weeks before.

 

[now faith]

This is the second time in two weeks I have read a statement of this nature.
It seems the anti faith devil is working on Paul's Epistles.
I find it odd,since in the other thread ,the OP was going on and on doubting Paul,making profound statements about the Gospels as well.
We know our enemy and we know he is already defeated.
Nothing can separate a child of God from the love of God.
These doubts and opponents are antichrist.

John: 1. 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

If your Bible says and the Word was a God,that is trampling on the Devine nature of Christ himself.
Resist the devil and he will flee,simply say the Lord rebuke you.
Don't let Satan steal anything from you or cause you to drift away.

 

[now faith]

I think this will help,this is Peter speaking about Paul validating his ministry and being a Apostle of Christ.


2 Peter: 3. 15. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.