Is It Possible To Become Too Obsessed With God?

[seoulsearch]

I know the title of the thread is going to raise a few eyebrows, but please, give me a chance to explain.

We've all heard that one of the benefits of singledom is that we have more time to spend with God.

But is it possible to be "too fanatical" about following the Lord?

What is the difference between faith and fanaticism?



In my years of being single, I've had some Christian friends who:

1. Stopped eating for 3 weeks straight because they felt it was "from the Lord" to fast. I wholeheartedly believe that fasting has a place in our spiritual lives. But when I found out my friend was literally sitting down in restaurants and then walking about because this person felt that "the Lord" was telling them not to eat (and my friend had already lost 30 pounds), I was a bit skeptical.

And when I discovered that my friend's motivation was mostly fear (that God would punish them if they DID eat), I begged them to please talk to an elder because, I argued, God is not going to tell you to starve yourself to death. (My friend had no history of eating disorders so no, I don't think it was an excuse for anorexia.)

2. Another friend who believes in personal prophecy (given through a church elder) believes "the Lord" has told him the physical characteristics of whom he should marry ("tall", certain hair color and texture, certain eye color) and rejects anyone who does not meet these requirements. ("We can be friends, but I know this person isn't THE ONE from The Lord.") I have often brought up the fact that God often sends us someone we didn't expect at all, but my friend's mind is firmly made up. This person even has a special outfit set aside that they are sure "the Lord" wants them to get married in. (But what if it's 15 years from now and the outfit no longer fits?)

I'm NOT trying to criticize anyone's faith, but I have to tell you that things like this have affected my own thinking. I've gone through times when I think, "Maybe if I stopped eating for a week like X, I'll be closer to God," or, "Maybe I shouldn't spend $5 on that bottle of nail polish... maybe I should stop using makeup altogether and pare myself down to 3 sets of clothes so I can give more money to the church" (in addition to tithes and regular offerings.) Maybe I should be reading my Bible instead of watching TV, never mind that I already spent an hour doing so every morning this week... Maybe I shouldn't eat this or that because God might get angry with me for disobedience...

Maybe God IS trying to deal with me and push me further. After all, "iron sharpens iron".

But at what point does the iron of faith morph into the iron bars of a near obsessive-compulsive disorder? And how can you help a good Christian friend who is going through it?

 

[seoulsearch]

Just to let you know, the poll is multiple choice. I know the answers are probably lacking, but please be encouraged to share your thoughts and experiences!

 

[PopClick]

I daresay these people might not be following God, as much as they are following their idea of what following God is. ~Shrug~

 

[AsifinPassing]

People can be to obsessed in their own ideas, dreams, ext, but as far The True Living God goes, no way! Paul said, "I seek to know nothing but Christ, and Him crucified." I pray I WOULD be obsessed with God, rather than all the lesser things which waste my time, resources, and don't really amount to anything much.

Granted, given your (and other) examples, it's difficult sometimes to distinguish between God, people, and ourselves, but every great hero of the faith, I believe, was 'ovsessed' with God.

 

[seoulsearch]

Great point, Asif!

The thing is, I guess I'm not really sure how to word my question. As Christians, we know we can never "have too much of God" or be too much into following Him.

But where is the line between "God" and "us", or as you said, our own ideas, especially when people are using solid Biblical principles/passages to back their actions/beliefs? I suppose it's similar to the same types of questions as to why wars are started, people are oppressed, etc., often in "the name of the Lord" by people who believe they're following God with all their hearts.

 

[dupreegreg]

God says in his word to be heavenly minded to set your thought on him. in all your ways . But we must be careful when bringing others to christ . my only thought on this is to be careful not to fall into the same trap the teachers of the law did (having a form of religon with no power there in) Remimber Jesus said his yoke is light .

 

[AsifinPassing]

Well, Seoul, I suppose that's part of the complication. We can misinterpret what God says. People can use the Bible to back up nearly whatever they believe. Many try to study, look at things contextually, and view the entirety of scripture instead of single excerpts to try and correct this. Nonetheless, if you have an agenda to begin with, it's not hard to misuse it.

A lot of it comes down to our own personal relationship with God. In my tradition (Methodist), we use the quadrilateral. The top (seat) being scripture, but the three 'legs' it stands on being tradition, experience, and reason. These are both personal and expansive, so your experience and the experiences of all those who have come before you, ext.

In any case, it's hard to judge. I don't really believe God calls someone to kill people-for example-in modern day, but I do know and believe that He did so in Biblical times. I also believe that God is unfailingly good, kind, merciful, just, ext.....so anything He calls us to do is the best course of action.

When it comes to discernment and our relationship with Him, however, it falls mostly on us. God doesn't change. God's already perfect. God's already Almighty. It's we who must change. Any lack in intimacy or understanding with/in God is our deficiency, not His. It's impossible to know God without Gid's help, though, so we seek Him.

I would say, we need to diligently seek God's face. We should always strive to know, love, and be with God. That His Kingdom should be something we seek to bring about here and now. It's through what we know like prayer, worship, scripture, Christian fellowship & mission, fasting, and the other spiritual disciplines that we may grow closer to Christ.

If you're a student, for example, you must go to class. You must read the book. You must study, and do the work. You must take and pass the tests. If you don't do any of these things, then you're not a student. The same could be said of being a Christian, or anything else in life really.

 

[RickShafer]

Is It Possible To Become Too Obsessed With God?

Not if its personal and love.
The problems you have outlined show outer forces and fear as motivating factors.
God is not in the business of using other people to tell someone what to do.
Unless confirmed through many instances by other circumstances and within the heart of the one
being told.
Also, God doesn't use fear anymore,(since the O.T); as a motivating force for sacrifice,(fasting).
It is a free will gift offering by the fastee.
Can you become too obsessed with God? No. Not if your heart is into it.
Was the apostle Paul too obsessed with God? God used his obsession mightily.

 

[zaoman32]

God, no. Religion and legalism, yes.

 

[Oncefallen]

The way I see it is it tends to depend on what is motivating the "fanatic."

In my lifetime I've seen all sorts of christian fanatics. Some extreme legalists that are motivated out of the fear of God's wrath, some motivated out of what God will do for them (looking at God like a cosmic sugar daddy), and yet others motivated because of what God has already done.

In my humble opinion the only one's getting it right are the ones who are fanatically loving God and fully devoted to Him because of what he already did on the cross.

 

[kenisyes]

Jesus leads His sheep; He doesn't drive them.

I'm not obsessed, but I am addicted to His love.

You already know God doesn't want you to do those things (maybe they were even right for your friends, who can say?), or you would not have written your first post. Go where He draws you, do what He excites you about and gives you joy through. Never through fear, always through joy and greater glory for Him.

Helping them? When they trust you, say what you think, let them take it to prayer. Above all, love them anyway. We are all working out our salvation in fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I know the title of the thread is going to raise a few eyebrows, but please, give me a chance to explain.

We've all heard that one of the benefits of singledom is that we have more time to spend with God.

But is it possible to be "too fanatical" about following the Lord?

What is the difference between faith and fanaticism?



In my years of being single, I've had some Christian friends who:

1. Stopped eating for 3 weeks straight because they felt it was "from the Lord" to fast. I wholeheartedly believe that fasting has a place in our spiritual lives. But when I found out my friend was literally sitting down in restaurants and then walking about because this person felt that "the Lord" was telling them not to eat (and my friend had already lost 30 pounds), I was a bit skeptical.

And when I discovered that my friend's motivation was mostly fear (that God would punish them if they DID eat), I begged them to please talk to an elder because, I argued, God is not going to tell you to starve yourself to death. (My friend had no history of eating disorders so no, I don't think it was an excuse for anorexia.)

2. Another friend who believes in personal prophecy (given through a church elder) believes "the Lord" has told him the physical characteristics of whom he should marry ("tall", certain hair color and texture, certain eye color) and rejects anyone who does not meet these requirements. ("We can be friends, but I know this person isn't THE ONE from The Lord.") I have often brought up the fact that God often sends us someone we didn't expect at all, but my friend's mind is firmly made up. This person even has a special outfit set aside that they are sure "the Lord" wants them to get married in. (But what if it's 15 years from now and the outfit no longer fits?)

I'm NOT trying to criticize anyone's faith, but I have to tell you that things like this have affected my own thinking. I've gone through times when I think, "Maybe if I stopped eating for a week like X, I'll be closer to God," or, "Maybe I shouldn't spend $5 on that bottle of nail polish... maybe I should stop using makeup altogether and pare myself down to 3 sets of clothes so I can give more money to the church" (in addition to tithes and regular offerings.) Maybe I should be reading my Bible instead of watching TV, never mind that I already spent an hour doing so every morning this week... Maybe I shouldn't eat this or that because God might get angry with me for disobedience...

Maybe God IS trying to deal with me and push me further. After all, "iron sharpens iron".

But at what point does the iron of faith morph into the iron bars of a near obsessive-compulsive disorder? And how can you help a good Christian friend who is going through it?

I wouldn't classify what your friends are doing as "being obsessed with God". To me, being obsessed with God means to pray constantly and to meditate upon His word day and night. What your friends are doing is probably deluding themselves into believing something they imagined was actually a vision or message from God.

Of course its possible that God really did speak to them, but odds are that it was just their own strong desires that manifested those thoughts, and there's really no way for anyone to know for sure unless something miraculous or amazing comes out of what they did or foresaw.

 

[Evie]

You described your friends fasting was mostly motivated by fear. I am preparing my heart and mind for a missions trip. I believe fasting should be coupled with prayer and should be done in private, not publicly. We should fast because we love God and want to be closer to him, not because we are afraid of him.
Your other friend could end up missing out of a good relationship with "the one" by having tunnel vision.
I go to church for every service, work in Wednesday night club, teach Sunday School class,raising my boys in church, serve in other small areas of the church and some of my family and friends think I am too obsessed.
I hope I am obsessed with God.

 

[Powemm]

all I can do is answer through my own experience .. I do know for a large amount of my life I sought after everything else like a sickly obssessed to be filled by " "something". I ran after people and things trying to quench a thirst I could not quench... going to wells that eventually dried up after time.. these were obsessions I discarded like carcasses when they could not quench my obsession for thirst.. when God found me in
My dried up, parched up bones state, heard me cry out to Him.. He has given me a drink to drink from as long as I want, as much as I want, and will never take His cup from me. I have stopped running to and fro in an "obsessive state" to things from this world, To resting and drinking continually from the well of Christ... It is imperative I do... It is written " a branch can not be separated from the vine" you being branches can not be separated from Me.. I would not call it an obsession... I call this finally living

 

[Powemm]

There has to be a pouring in, before a pouring out

 

[BADDOG]

Hi all GBU

there is a worldly saying that goes like this,,,, ** you'r too heavenly minded to be any earthly use **

BUT THIS IS A LIE !!!

we should say,,,, **in order to be of any earthly use we have to be heavenly minded **

GBU you all

BADDOG

 

[AAAPlus]

A few years ago I would've immediately said that, no, there's no way anyone can be too obsessed with God. Then God put this one roommate in my life. For the purposes of this post, I'll call him Rick.

I lived with Rick for two and a half years. It was pretty great at first, since we were both God-loving dudes and we would bounce ideas off each other and pray together and stuff. But while Rick knew loving God is the greatest commandment, he didn't really understand or believe the fact that loving others is just as important. Someone once asked Jesus what the greatest commandment is, and He gave them TWO. One is not more or less important than the other; they are one in the same. But anyway, Rick was great at loving God, but terrible at loving his neighbor.

One time I came into the living room with a house-related question for him, and he just held up a sign that said that he had decided to take a vow of silence that day. When I asked him to just nod or shake his head, he just looked at me in anger. He would often leave rotting food around his room because he couldn't stop reading his Bible enough to clean them. And if you accidentally interrupted him while he was praying...it would be like you killed his dog or something, the amount of sheer anger he would have toward you.

I guess God put Rick in my life to wake me up and realize that loving God isn't enough. You have to love others as well. "Anyone who says he loves God, yet hates his brother, is a liar".

So maybe he was too obsessed with God. Maybe he was just quite misled. I still see him around church and he seems like he has gotten the hang of it now, so that's good.

 

[Nautilus]

There are always the people that refuse to provide medical care for their children because of their faith in God...I think that is obsessive.

Here is one example: Kara Neumann case - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jehovah Witnesses are another.

 

[Jullianna]

As a VERY self-righteous, ignorant, young christian, I once said out loud (to God only) that I wished a certain elderly woman (whom I later learned had been the one who'd prayed for me when I received a miraculous restoration of my hearing) knew it was permissable for her to cut her hair, wear pants, etc..... And I learned from Him that what any of us do to truly honor Him from a loving heart, He honors. From that day I have tried not to judge or make assumptions as to what or why someone does/doesn't do something to honor the Lord.

 

[seoulsearch]

Maybe it was bad wording on part in some of these cases... Instead of saying, "Too Obsessed with God," maybe it's more like, "Too Obsessed with Our Own Idea of God."

I heard an excellent sermon today about the fact that Christians can be sincere, but also be sincerely wrong.

And the example was of Saul before he became Paul. No one could say the man wasn't all about his faith. It's just that, his idea of God at the time led him to kill the very people who believed in Him.