When a Christian says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"

[Hannah66]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

There's a fourth option I have encountered. Quite a few people who grew up "walking as Christian", were raised in environments where the strongest moral message was quasichristian dominationalism. national quasichristianism, praising Constitutions and guns with trees and bunnies...and not that which Christ the Lord has said. Many such have never met or heard from anyone who did treat the very things Christ the Lord Personally said, did, and discussed as highest in priority, and as a result, the only concept of "walking as a Christian" they thus far understand, is worthy only of repentance away. Such people will repent of that false walk, and in the long run, the Lord will give them that which is worthwhile and eternal.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

Ask this person.
Blessings

 

[Jerry N.]

There's a fourth option I have encountered. Quite a few people who grew up "walking as Christian", were raised in environments where the strongest moral message was quasichristian dominationalism. national quasichristianism, praising Constitutions and guns with trees and bunnies...and not that which Christ the Lord has said. Many such have never met or heard from anyone who did treat the very things Christ the Lord Personally said, did, and discussed as highest in priority, and as a result, the only concept of "walking as a Christian" they thus far understand, is worthy only of repentance away. Such people will repent of that false walk, and in the long run, the Lord will give them that which is worthwhile and eternal.

I agree, if they were saved, there is good chance they will return to the Lord. The key phrase is “walking as a Christian.” Does that mean they simply acted as a Christian? Many young Christians put their faith in a denomination or congregation rather than Christ. It can be very disappointing because of the required conformity and the perceived hypocrisy. God treats us as individuals, not counting individual weakness for sin. I’ve been in many churches that see individuality as a threat to their dogma, and they lack acceptance of people who are not like them. If possible, it is best to look for a different group to worship with. I have been blessed in meeting two real Christians who walked with Christ, where I could see what faith in Christ really meant. These people are rare, but they turn people to Christ and away from themselves. They don’t say “follow me,” they demonstrate following Christ.

 

[NBB]

They never experienced the Spirit of God, the bible talks about 'tasting the heavenly gift' etc,
After you are touched by Jesus/the Holy spirit you just can't deny God exists.
Maybe they assented intellectually only.

 

[HarleyER]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

A true believer in Christ can slip up (commit sin) in their faith, but they will never walk away. John said people who do seem to walk away were never saved to begin with.

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.​

Why? The reason a believer will not desert the faith is because once a person comes to an understanding of who Christ is and what He offers, then nothing else matters. This is found in Peter's response to Jesus:

John 6:67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”​

So this "Christian" who "became saved" was either 1) not a true believer, or 2) they have tasted of the heavenly gifts, rejected it, and walked away (much like the "disciples" of John 6). The former case requires prayer and patience that they may come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The latter will be impossible to restore. Unfortunately, we don't know which is the case.

 

[Hazelelponi]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

They never knew God.

It doesn't mean they aren't "saved", in that, clearly they are being called or felt a call in the past, but they didn't understand the Gospel, or what they learned didn't jive with Scripture and reason - ie they were in front of false teachers.

Then the world came in and swept it away.

It doesn't mean this same person won't find themselves in the middle of another call, where the message is true and resonates with Scripture and this time the message lands and they are truly belonging to the Lord.

You know the Scripture and the parable of the seed,? Some falls on rocky ground etc etc.

Nothing in Scripture that says a single individual might not have every type of seed encounter before the final one lands on the good soil.

The goal is the right seed, at the right time, in the right place.

Look for opportunity to call them to the Gospel of Christ and salvation. God is faithful even when we are not.

Do treat this person as a child of God who will be your brother or sister tomorrow.

 

[timf]

1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

4) Waking in the flesh
5) feeling bad after having been tricked by bad doctrine
6) feeling bad after being attacked or abused

It is difficult to tell what someone means from a brief comment. Often people who feel hurt do not want to talk about it.

 

[d taylor]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

-
​

Your question can not actually be answered by anyone who does not actually know the person.

But this can be said for Eternal Life salvation. If a persons object of their belief/faith is the person Jesus for Eternal Life salvation and not saying a prayer, walking a church isle, repenting of their sins, etc.. .

Meaning they at a point in their life believed Jesus is The Son of God/The Messiah and believed in Jesus for Eternal Life. Then they are a permanent born again child of God, but now they are like the prodigal son who has left the faith they once had. Will they return in this life, who knows (only God) but if they do not they still remain a born again child of God. They can not become unborn.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

There's a fourth option I have encountered. Quite a few people who grew up "walking as Christian", were raised in environments where the strongest moral message was quasichristian dominationalism. national quasichristianism, praising Constitutions and guns with trees and bunnies...and not that which Christ the Lord has said. Many such have never met or heard from anyone who did treat the very things Christ the Lord Personally said, did, and discussed as highest in priority, and as a result, the only concept of "walking as a Christian" they thus far understand, is worthy only of repentance away. Such people will repent of that false walk, and in the long run, the Lord will give them that which is worthwhile and eternal.

There's a fifth option I have encountered. Some "Christian" churches are so legalistic that the weight of the law eventually breaks people down to the point that they are no longer willing to bear the burden. If they find rest in Christ, they are freed from the entanglemnt of legalism. But unfortunately, not everyone broken down by legalism finds rest in Christ. Some do, but others are driven away from Christianity by it. I've seen both happen. Unfortunately, most cases I've seen are for the worse. Legalism profits nothing.

 

[Jo555]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

I agree with what many are saying here, if i understand correctly.

Sometimes our walk is not based on our own personal relationship with the Lord, and growing and learning from Him (not saying he doesn't use others, but must be confirmed with Him).

At times we also have a misconception. The storms in life will reveal how deep our roots go, and do help to tear down misconceptions, but if He truly came to believe, he is the Lord's and i do believe He will return to Him.

 

[Hannah66]

Ask this person.
Blessings

Sadly I can't.. it's my former husband

 

[fm107]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

A person who makes a public profession of faith but has since abandoned the faith is an apostate. Sadly, an apostate, (who was a professor only), has no chance of recovery (Heb 6:4-6). Judas is an example of an apostate.

I'm not talking about a christian who, in a moment of weakness, denies the Lord before others, like Peter did.

A genuine Christian may be living in sin (a backslider), but can repent and be restored to the Lord. Peter is an example of a backslider - the Lord restored him.

The description you have provided is that of an apostate, in my opinion.

 

[Hannah66]

-
​

Your question can not actually be answered by anyone who does not actually know the person.

But this can be said for Eternal Life salvation. If a persons object of their belief/faith is the person Jesus for Eternal Life salvation and not saying a prayer, walking a church isle, repenting of their sins, etc.. .

Meaning they at a point in their life believed Jesus is The Son of God/The Messiah and believed in Jesus for Eternal Life. Then they are a permanent born again child of God, but now they are like the prodigal son who has left the faith they once had. Will they return in this life, who knows (only God) but if they do not they still remain a born again child of God. They can not become unborn.

Correct! I know this man well. I don't know him now, but I was married to him for 20 years and he was my husband. He had an amazing testimony. When he suddently left me in 2016, I was quite shocked and not prepared for the life he wanted to live and for the things he did to hurt me, one of them ...willing adultery and he told me he was willing to stand before God for deliberate adultery. I continue to pray for his soul. I'm so very sad. I never saw this side of him before, whether he was masking the whole time as a christian or something made him walk away from God. I always thought we would be raptured together. Thanks for your comment.

 

[linux.poet]

Hmm. In context, I think it means "I want to commit a particular sin/sins so badly that I want to get away from my faith for awhile". I think for people who have been raised in Christian homes and ended up on the straight and narrow from a young age, intellectual curiosity about what sin is like can get the better of some of them. "Is sin really that bad?" they may wonder. So they start throwing things away. (After all, Eve's intellectual curiosity was part of what got her in the garden.)

In some ways, that is the silver lining of being abused as a kid and going through childhood adversity, was that it taught me firsthand about how destructive and awful sin can be. Committing sin lost its appeal very quickly. I think having stories out there about how just how bad this stuff is, how bad it feels, and the long term harm are better anecdotes than my awful experience, but these truths still need to be said.

 

[Jo555]

I actually said that to a couple people a good time ago, that I didn't believe in that stuff anymore. It was a lie and i confessed it later to them

I was just so tired of them telling me what a Christian is supposed to act like. It felt manipulative and i was sick of it. If i sneezed wrong i was given a speech about how Jesus would sneeze and how Christians are supposed to sneeze.

I grew so tired of it i said i don't believe in that stuff anymore.

I still did, believed in God that is, wholeheartedly, but i was sick of them telling me what that looked like and didn't want to hear it anymore.

And not to brag, but i believe my life speaks loud and clear of the Christian life. I have literally given up everything to take care of others. I often say God has given me the most humble position. I clean poop and urine all day, but i wouldn't have it any other way. You give up all for those you love. I have literally laid down my life for years. It's not labor some because love drives me. It's only hard when someone you love is suffering. There is nothing worse i know in life than watching someone you love suffer, but i sure am not going to let them do it alone if i can help it. It is a privilege and honor to walk down that road with them, letting them know you may not feel their pain physically, but you feel it in your heart, every ache, and they are not suffering alone.

But yes, i told a lie, the same lie twice, but confessed it later. I didn't mean it. Was just my way of stopping them from holding me up to their ideals of what a Christian is supposed to be like.

I know it wasn't right. Just how i handled it at the time.

 

[ozso]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

As I understand it, backslider goes back to their own ways but still believes.

2 and 3 can be synonymous. Those who walk away from their belief might not have ever had saving faith. Their belief was just an intellectual exercise they lost interest in.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Correct! I know this man well. I don't know him now, but I was married to him for 20 years and he was my husband. He had an amazing testimony. When he suddently left me in 2016, I was quite shocked and not prepared for the life he wanted to live and for the things he did to hurt me, one of them ...willing adultery and he told me he was willing to stand before God for deliberate adultery. I continue to pray for his soul. I'm so very sad. I never saw this side of him before, whether he was masking the whole time as a christian or something made him walk away from God. I always thought we would be raptured together. Thanks for your comment.

I am so sorry for what you went through, and it is apparent that it still affects you. I'm sorry I didn't notice this was in a forum asking for advice. Now that I know, I would say first it sometimes takes a while to get over things like this. Forgive him, pray for him, and try your best to move on.

 

[eleos1954]

When a christian, who became saved in 1996 and was walking as a christian for many years
says, "I don't believe in that stuff anymore"(pertaining to christianity, walking with the Lord"

Does it mean, they are


1) Backslider
2) never saved
3) or walking away from their faith.

Thank you.

Can be any of them.

 

[Hannah66]

Hmm. In context, I think it means "I want to commit a particular sin/sins so badly that I want to get away from my faith for awhile". I think for people who have been raised in Christian homes and ended up on the straight and narrow from a young age, intellectual curiosity about what sin is like can get the better of some of them. "Is sin really that bad?" they may wonder. So they start throwing things away. (After all, Eve's intellectual curiosity was part of what got her in the garden.)

In some ways, that is the silver lining of being abused as a kid and going through childhood adversity, was that it taught me firsthand about how destructive and awful sin can be. Committing sin lost its appeal very quickly. I think having stories out there about how just how bad this stuff is, how bad it feels, and the long term harm are better anecdotes than my awful experience, but these truths still need to be said.

thank you. This is pertaining to my former husband. He grew up in a very dysfunctional family, he was doing all kinds of terrible sins at a very young age, I would say by the age of 12 he already reached an 'adulthood' thinking. He lived in the streets for a while and got into drugs and crime. Came to faith at age 23 but has gone back to sinful lifestyle(not crime though). He is successful in career and hobbies, but just living a different kind of sin now, not wanting God but everything else satan gives him.Very sad. I still pray for his soul. Thanks for sharing.