Doubting in my salvation

[RJ]

Yes, I understand what you are saying, but I have not gone back to my old ways at all. I spend all my time reading my BIble, and praying. I avoid ALL sins I see, and if I do sin, I go straight to God for forgiveness.

But my heart has hardened and hardened, despite all this.

So if I'm really NOT saved anymore, then how can I GET saved? I've been trying for 2 years now, but I still hear all these evil things in my mind and am not growing like other Christians do.

Still, your answers lie in the threads that have been offered you and still you do not listen and still you live your life in untruth.I pray that God opens your eyes and allows you to see.

 

[Tyler]

Yes, I understand what you are saying, but I have not gone back to my old ways at all. I spend all my time reading my BIble, and praying. I avoid ALL sins I see, and if I do sin, I go straight to God for forgiveness.

But my heart has hardened and hardened, despite all this.

So if I'm really NOT saved anymore, then how can I GET saved? I've been trying for 2 years now, but I still hear all these evil things in my mind and am not growing like other Christians do.

Look, if you have really turned to God and read your Bible every day you would have no reason to feel this way. Now, don't get me wrong I am not accusing you of lying. I also read my Word every day and still felt the same way like you.

I don't know how else to put this but here it goes. The only way to get over this issue...is to get over it.

If you said the prayer, confessed to Jesus, accepted Him as your Savior, and believed...then you are saved. Don't fret anymore and move forward. Go to church read your Word everyday and be open to others. The body of Christ is here for situations such as these.

If you truly don't know of your salvation, then do it again. Mean it in your heart, and accept. After this, you should reject your doubt and just believe in the Word. Your feelings mean absolutely nothing if you believe in the Word. That is how you GET saved. You believe - have faith.

I know how you feel. Emotions are a bunch of bull let me tell you! Haha! xD Whenever your feeling the doubt and confusion you just cast it aside - ignore the thought. Don't entertain it. If you entertain it you will fall to it again.

Now I can't give you any more advice as this is how I got over my problem. It is all you have to do also. Believe - have faith in Jesus' gift of salvation.


I am praying for you and I know you'll get over this.


Don't ever think you are annoying anyone my friend. This is what the body is here for. If you need to chat or anything in private please just look me up. Please if you need comfort or just someone to talk to about this problem just contact me - add me to friends - whatever you need.

Your brother, Tyler.
GBU

 

[SavedByHim]

Still, your answers lie in the threads that have been offered you and still you do not listen and still you live your life in untruth.I pray that God opens your eyes and allows you to see.

Yes! That's exactly what I need to happen! For God to open my eyes all the time, and not just every once in awhile! You cannot simply tell a person to BELIEVE they are saved, if they are mentally incapable! You are treating me like I am arguing with the fact that Jesus died for my sins! I KNOW He died for the sins of everyone in the world! I KNOW He is the Son of God! I KNOW He rose after 3 days and is seated at the right hand of God!

I don't know how to explain to you what I am going through any more plainer-you are refusing to listen to me. I am not going to sit and argue with you. I BELIEVE the Bible. I BELIEVE everything it says.

I have a disease that causes me to doubt my own conversion. I cannot HELP this-it's not something that I can just say..."Ok-I'm gonna believe!". I do not WANT this disease, I can promise you that! All I want is to believe that I am saved, and for these cusswords to go away in my head.

Ok, let's just forget I posted this whole thread, because I'm getting upset and I'm trying very hard to stay in a good mood today. You do not understand what I am going through, and you are treating me like I am an atheist or something.

 

[SavedByHim]

Look, if you have really turned to God and read your Bible every day you would have no reason to feel this way. Now, don't get me wrong I am not accusing you of lying. I also read my Word every day and still felt the same way like you.

I don't know how else to put this but here it goes. The only way to get over this issue...is to get over it.

If you said the prayer, confessed to Jesus, accepted Him as your Savior, and believed...then you are saved. Don't fret anymore and move forward. Go to church read your Word everyday and be open to others. The body of Christ is here for situations such as these.

If you truly don't know of your salvation, then do it again. Mean it in your heart, and accept. After this, you should reject your doubt and just believe in the Word. Your feelings mean absolutely nothing if you believe in the Word. That is how you GET saved. You believe - have faith.

I know how you feel. Emotions are a bunch of bull let me tell you! Haha! xD Whenever your feeling the doubt and confusion you just cast it aside - ignore the thought. Don't entertain it. If you entertain it you will fall to it again.

Now I can't give you any more advice as this is how I got over my problem. It is all you have to do also. Believe - have faith in Jesus' gift of salvation.


I am praying for you and I know you'll get over this.


Don't ever think you are annoying anyone my friend. This is what the body is here for. If you need to chat or anything in private please just look me up. Please if you need comfort or just someone to talk to about this problem just contact me - add me to friends - whatever you need.

Your brother, Tyler.
GBU

Thank you Tyler.....you are very kind, and a true loving Christian! I will try my best to do like you have said....to just ignore the feelings and move on.

 

[Tyler]

I'm glad I can help in any way even if it is only giving comfort...Just don't be afraid to talk my friend...the body will listen and listen until this is settled...don't forget Christ is there too! He takes priority over us any day! Jesus is your healer...so for any disease or sickness of emotions, physically, or mentally He can heal them. Ask. Have faith. Be patient. Watch it happen

So you say you do believe in all of this...well then good! If you believe just move on in your steps...try to overlook the emotions and doubts...just as you said you would try!

If you get frustrated please just continue on...remember I had multiple mental breakdowns before I finally was able to push away these idiotic feelings.

I'm not gonna say much more on what can help because I have said everything I really can in general. If you have a specific question please let me know and I will pray over it and address it.

Your brother in Christ,
Tyler
GBU


-note- I am praying for you my friend

 

[RJ]

Yes! That's exactly what I need to happen! For God to open my eyes all the time, and not just every once in awhile! You cannot simply tell a person to BELIEVE they are saved, if they are mentally incapable! You are treating me like I am arguing with the fact that Jesus died for my sins! I KNOW He died for the sins of everyone in the world! I KNOW He is the Son of God! I KNOW He rose after 3 days and is seated at the right hand of God!

I don't know how to explain to you what I am going through any more plainer-you are refusing to listen to me. I am not going to sit and argue with you. I BELIEVE the Bible. I BELIEVE everything it says.

I have a disease that causes me to doubt my own conversion. I cannot HELP this-it's not something that I can just say..."Ok-I'm gonna believe!". I do not WANT this disease, I can promise you that! All I want is to believe that I am saved, and for these cusswords to go away in my head.

Ok, let's just forget I posted this whole thread, because I'm getting upset and I'm trying very hard to stay in a good mood today. You do not understand what I am going through, and you are treating me like I am an atheist or something.

Please accept my appologies, I meant you no harm.
I went to great lenght to explain the truth about your salvation because you reapetedly asked what you should do but, along with my threads and others, it is apparent that your condition doesn't allow you to believe in or accept our advice. I am not a doctor and can only try to help spiritually. Since that is not working, I will pray for your release from this bondage of untruth and reframe from any futher response.
God Bless

 

[stryder96792]

Rom 10: 9-10

 

[SavedByHim]

I'm glad I can help in any way even if it is only giving comfort...Just don't be afraid to talk my friend...the body will listen and listen until this is settled...don't forget Christ is there too! He takes priority over us any day! Jesus is your healer...so for any disease or sickness of emotions, physically, or mentally He can heal them. Ask. Have faith. Be patient. Watch it happen

So you say you do believe in all of this...well then good! If you believe just move on in your steps...try to overlook the emotions and doubts...just as you said you would try!

If you get frustrated please just continue on...remember I had multiple mental breakdowns before I finally was able to push away these idiotic feelings.

I'm not gonna say much more on what can help because I have said everything I really can in general. If you have a specific question please let me know and I will pray over it and address it.

Your brother in Christ,
Tyler
GBU


-note- I am praying for you my friend

Thank you Tyler! I'm so glad that you can understand....since you seem to have gone through something similar yourself, as far as the mental issues. Only someone who has suffered themselves can really understand. If you do think about praying for me, pray that IF I am saved, that God will set me free from this bondage.....and if I am NOT saved, that He will bring me to salvation before it is too late.

One time, a few months ago, when God still spoke to me, He said...."I will pour out my blessings on you if you just believe" I cried and cried that something evil is BLOCKING me from believing, because I want to so bad.

Either way-if you pray, just pray for those things. And yes, I know that Jesus is the One who heals....He healed one friend of mine from Bipolar disorder, another from major depression, and another from severe panic attacks and anxiety disorder. So I know He can heal me from this Scrupulosity I have.

 

[SavedByHim]

Please accept my appologies, I meant you no harm.
I went to great lenght to explain the truth about your salvation because you reapetedly asked what you should do but, along with my threads and others, it is apparent that your condition doesn't allow you to believe in or accept our advice. I am not a doctor and can only try to help spiritually. Since that is not working, I will pray for your release from this bondage of untruth and reframe from any futher response.
God Bless

It's Ok-I forgive ya! I posted a lot longer message to you, but it was deleted because I had posted a good link to a page that explained Scrupulosity and the symptoms. I don't have enough posts to post links yet.

Either way, I wanted to thank you for going to such great lengths to write so much to try to help me. You had no idea that I've got ADHD too, and have problems reading long posts, especially if they are not broken into short paragraphs. lol

I had planned on going back and reading it over and taking notes on what you wrote, before I got upset. And I do apologize for getting upset with you.....this OCD is the worst kind of hell for a believer to go through, trust me. I would much rather it had manifested as excessive hand washing, but instead it took the form of religious OCD.

God bless!

 

[stryder96792]

Read:

2 Corinthians 10:5 (casting down)
Eph 6:11-18 (wrestle not against flesh and blood)

 

[SavedByHim]

Read:

2 Corinthians 10:5 (casting down)
Eph 6:11-18 (wrestle not against flesh and blood)

Thank you Styder, and I totally agree.....but I've always struggled with HOW to do those things. I mean, I understand about how we are supposed to cast down every thought that is not of God....but how do you do that?

I really have problems remembering verses like I want to! I've rebuked the thoughts till I'm blue in the face, but when they are an obsession...they just keep coming. I've noticed that it's a LOT worse if I drink anything with caffeine or eat anything with sugar....then my mind goes into overdrive and the thoughts are a lot worse.

And how do you put on the Armour of God? That concept has always been way over my head! I have a friend at church who literally gets up and goes through the motions of putting on each peice of Armour, imagining and describing what they look like....she described her breastplate to us, her helmet, etc. It was a great idea! I can grasp the idea of putting on imaginary armour, but it's what goes with it that I can't grasp, since you can't SEE faith, salvation, etc., etc.....hard to imagine putting it on.

Wow.....I wish I had named this thread Scrupulosity instead. Once I hit 50 posts, I'll start a thread on it and post some great links, in case anyone else ever develops it.

 

[Tyler]

Thank you Styder, and I totally agree.....but I've always struggled with HOW to do those things. I mean, I understand about how we are supposed to cast down every thought that is not of God....but how do you do that?

I really have problems remembering verses like I want to! I've rebuked the thoughts till I'm blue in the face, but when they are an obsession...they just keep coming. I've noticed that it's a LOT worse if I drink anything with caffeine or eat anything with sugar....then my mind goes into overdrive and the thoughts are a lot worse.

And how do you put on the Armour of God? That concept has always been way over my head! I have a friend at church who literally gets up and goes through the motions of putting on each peice of Armour, imagining and describing what they look like....she described her breastplate to us, her helmet, etc. It was a great idea! I can grasp the idea of putting on imaginary armour, but it's what goes with it that I can't grasp, since you can't SEE faith, salvation, etc., etc.....hard to imagine putting it on.

You put on the full Armour of God by following His Word in every day life. This following prayer outline I found may help youDavid Skeba's book The Armour of God: Winning the Invisible War)


The belt of truth: Thank you, my Lord, for showing me the truth about yourself. Thank you for reminding me that You are the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my wisdom, my counselor, my hope, and my strength. You are everything I need each day.


The breastplate of righteousness: Thank you for showing me the truth about myself--that on my own I could never be good enough to live in your presence. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me your righteous life. Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with your Spirit. [Take time for confession] Thank you for forgiving me and for filling me with your righteous life.

The sandals of peace:Thank you for the peace you give me when I trust and follow you. Show me how to help others find that peace.


The shield of faith: Thank you for helping me have faith in you. I choose to count on everything you have shown me about yourself--and everything you have promised me in your Word.


The helmet of salvation: Thank you for promising me salvation both for today's battles and for all eternity.



The sword of the spirit, the Word of God: Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize. Please show me which one(s) you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face today.

Pray these prayers in your own words and just mean it. You know that God answers prayer that is in His will. He wants you to wear the full Armour.


If you know the Scripture and live by it, you will be able to cut down Satan's attacks and cut through your sinful mind. Just believe in the facts you know through Scripture.


If you believe they are true cutting down Satan's attacks will become second nature after practice, although it will take time to get a hold of.



Hope this helps at least a little bit.


Your brother in Christ,
Tyler
GBU

 

[SavedByHim]

You put on the full Armour of God by following His Word in every day life. This following prayer outline I found may help youDavid Skeba's book The Armour of God: Winning the Invisible War)


The belt of truth: Thank you, my Lord, for showing me the truth about yourself. Thank you for reminding me that You are the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my wisdom, my counselor, my hope, and my strength. You are everything I need each day.


The breastplate of righteousness: Thank you for showing me the truth about myself--that on my own I could never be good enough to live in your presence. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me your righteous life. Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with your Spirit. [Take time for confession] Thank you for forgiving me and for filling me with your righteous life.

The sandals of peace:Thank you for the peace you give me when I trust and follow you. Show me how to help others find that peace.


The shield of faith: Thank you for helping me have faith in you. I choose to count on everything you have shown me about yourself--and everything you have promised me in your Word.


The helmet of salvation: Thank you for promising me salvation both for today's battles and for all eternity.



The sword of the spirit, the Word of God: Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize. Please show me which one(s) you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face today.

Pray these prayers in your own words and just mean it. You know that God answers prayer that is in His will. He wants you to wear the full Armour.


If you know the Scripture and live by it, you will be able to cut down Satan's attacks and cut through your sinful mind. Just believe in the facts you know through Scripture.


If you believe they are true cutting down Satan's attacks will become second nature after practice, although it will take time to get a hold of.



Hope this helps at least a little bit.


Your brother in Christ,
Tyler
GBU

Thanks Tyler! I like this a LOT! I wish my printer was not broken-I'd print it out! I did bookmark it though!

 

[stryder96792]

Thank you Styder, and I totally agree.....but I've always struggled with HOW to do those things. I mean, I understand about how we are supposed to cast down every thought that is not of God....but how do you do that?

I really have problems remembering verses like I want to! I've rebuked the thoughts till I'm blue in the face, but when they are an obsession...they just keep coming. I've noticed that it's a LOT worse if I drink anything with caffeine or eat anything with sugar....then my mind goes into overdrive and the thoughts are a lot worse.

And how do you put on the Armour of God? That concept has always been way over my head! I have a friend at church who literally gets up and goes through the motions of putting on each peice of Armour, imagining and describing what they look like....she described her breastplate to us, her helmet, etc. It was a great idea! I can grasp the idea of putting on imaginary armour, but it's what goes with it that I can't grasp, since you can't SEE faith, salvation, etc., etc.....hard to imagine putting it on.

Wow.....I wish I had named this thread Scrupulosity instead. Once I hit 50 posts, I'll start a thread on it and post some great links, in case anyone else ever develops it.

"I understand about how we are supposed to cast down every thought that is not of God....but how do you do that?"

When Jusus rebuked satan He used scriptures. The bible said that the word of God will not come back void.

"And how do you put on the Armour of God?"

Some people put them on literally every morning. And some people put on the full Armour of God by following His Word in every day life - just like Tyler said.

We fight spiritual battles everyday and we must be ready. No one would go to war without the proper equipment - that would be crazy. By putting the armour of God on we should be ready for anything that Satan fires at us. Like going into battle.

IMO, you are going through this because Satan doesn't want you to get close to God -most of all to serve and worship Him. Satan spends most of his time tempting and attacking the Christians. Why? Because he (Satan) wants to separate you from God's love. He's already got the unsaved - to him why bother.

IMO, you have to fight back with scriptures, that's what Jesus did, and so we should to.

 

[SavedByHim]

"I understand about how we are supposed to cast down every thought that is not of God....but how do you do that?"

When Jusus rebuked satan He used scriptures. The bible said that the word of God will not come back void.

"And how do you put on the Armour of God?"

Some people put them on literally every morning. And some people put on the full Armour of God by following His Word in every day life - just like Tyler said.

We fight spiritual battles everyday and we must be ready. No one would go to war without the proper equipment - that would be crazy. By putting the armour of God on we should be ready for anything that Satan fires at us. Like going into battle.

IMO, you are going through this because Satan doesn't want you to get close to God -most of all to serve and worship Him. Satan spends most of his time tempting and attacking the Christians. Why? Because he (Satan) wants to separate you from God's love. He's already got the unsaved - to him why bother.

IMO, you have to fight back with scriptures, that's what Jesus did, and so we should to.

Yes, that's the way to do it....I'm just trying to get some nice short ones memorized. I also carry around a book on rebuking demons-that one has helped a lot, and months ago, when I still was close to God, I was able to cast some of them out-I felt them leave me. It's a never-ending battle, that's for sure!

 

[stryder96792]

Read and Memorize

Luke 10:19

 

[SavedByHim]

Read and Memorize

Luke 10:19

That's a good one-thanks!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

It's a never-ending battle, that's for sure!

"And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever." (Jn 14:16 NIV)

The "Counselor" in this verse is the Holy Spirit. As Counselor, He is the source of our strength if we depend on Him. If we try to fight these battles using only our own strength, the devil will slap us silly every time.

SLE

 

[stryder96792]

"And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever." (Jn 14:16 NIV)

The "Counselor" in this verse is the Holy Spirit. As Counselor, He is the source of our strength if we depend on Him. If we try to fight these battles using only our own strength, the devil will slap us silly every time.

SLE

AMEN to that...

 

[Boanerges]

Well, the problem is that I no longer sense the leading/guiding of the Holy Spirit like I used to

Walk by faith. We are to believe God even in those times when we cannot sense Him.
For that to happen is not uncommon nor is it a problem.
You must look at things in a different light. Think of this situation as a chance to trust Him and grow in your faith. As you wait quietly on Him trusting that His hand is on you for good. As you exercise your faith by choosing to trust Him that faith (like a muscle) grows with use and experience.
It all boils down to one thing- you must choose moment by moment to trust Him.
It all boils down to one thing- you must choose moment by moment to trust Him.

Opps did I say that twice?

So then one last question, are you willing to choose to trust Him?