Do we have enough confidence to LET a person wander?

[Priyanka695]

Now let me explain myself, please. I am not suggesting that people who do not allow questions are not confident, or that it is okay for a person to wander in their faith.
My question in the title comes from the experience I have had with myself and others. Although I grew up as a Christian, I did not understand this faith until I questioned it. Ever since that experience, my confidence in evangelism has grown. Why? Because I no longer fear doubt. When I see doubt in another person, if it is a genuine search for truth, I rejoice. When someone seeks Truth, they find it. Jesus does not hold back from reveal himself from people who seek.

The reason I have raised this question is to challenge the thoughts I myself used to have before which said that "doubt = disbelief". I am yet to meet a Christian who says they have never had any doubts. So why do we expect those who are not Christian, to believe without questioning? When they question, why do we equate it to a negative experience? Or a "hard-time". I was involved in campus ministry for the past few years. It is extremely exciting to find a questioning person because they almost always come around to fairly view Christianity for what it is.

It is almost worse to be a mistaken Christian than an unaware unbeliever. Ask your questions, weigh out the options, look for truth and come to your conclusion.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[PrynceNY]

Personally never had any doubts throughout my faith. There have been times i questioned why God allowed certain things to happen in the world. But as the scriptures says his ways and thoughts are not ours. God is perfect and his ways are perfect. Once you gasp that you can rest assure he will deal with things in the best way possible.

 

[Demi777]

Im going to be completely honest.. Ive had doubts. But I got to the point that when doubt wants to come up I would just hold on to God like a drunk to a streetlight.
And God never failed me so by now my doubts are gone. Ive become to opposite. When people with doubt come I usually laugh and just say ''test him. Ask him to help and let God be God. Just ask him to reveal himself and wait"
We dont know how God may handle a persons situation. God is so good. He may not reveal himself to another immedeately when we want it to but God will show himself. So yes sometimes I have to let people wander a while.
Its important that that person knows your there for them. Let God be God and pray for the person. They will come when its least expected.

 

[GuessWho]

It is almost worse to be a mistaken Christian than an unaware unbeliever. Ask your questions, weigh out the options, look for truth and come to your conclusion.

What are your thoughts on this?

I agree 100% with you. The unaware unbliever is preferable to the mistaken Christian because the first one has more chances to meet the real living God through his questions, doubts; his disbelief is "alive" and thus productive while the faith of the mistaken Christian (who doesn't question anything) is a death faith.

 

[Absolem]

Jesus can come to people through apologetics or just simple prayer and conversation. So long as the word gets out.

 

[DrawMeClose]

For me, I think it's truly rewarding to share God's word to unbelievers. I myself also questioned my faith and God's purpose and plan in my life. I think all people do, whether they called themselves atheists or agnostics. I think it is rooted to all human heart to question their existence, faith and seek the truth. Your question about "Do we have enough confidence to LET a person wander?", you know I felt guilty for this because even though I have found the truth. I still have trouble in sharing the truth with some unbelievers, well, mostly only those who are older than me.

And if you are having a problem with sharing the truth, you really have enough confidence to let the people wander. So I'm still praying for this. Hopefully someday I can be bold enough and outspoken enough to share God's word to anyone.

 

[Priyanka695]

Hi there! Thanks for your response. It is definitely encouraging when I hear that a few from people, that they have never had doubts. I truly think God gives us faith. This is the faith that works without sight. And this can never be a human creation!

 

[BoomPowUmm]

This question is stupid and annoying.
"I am yet to meet a Christian who says they have never had any doubts." ​
"It is almost worse to be a mistaken Christian than an unaware unbeliever."
Christians who doubt are not the same as people who doubt Jesus.
I don't expect anything from nonbelievers because the Holy Spirit, he has to kick in to lead them, before they can see the truth.
They are blind and in the dark, unlike a Christian. That's why we are reborn and were sinners. Blindly being lead by Satan.
Non Believer = No belief
Non Believer ≠ belief
Doubt can lead to belief but it is not belief!
Sorry if I seem mad at you personally here. This is sooo common of a mistake it makes me sick.

 

[Ugly]

Now let me explain myself, please. I am not suggesting that people who do not allow questions are not confident, or that it is okay for a person to wander in their faith.
My question in the title comes from the experience I have had with myself and others. Although I grew up as a Christian, I did not understand this faith until I questioned it. Ever since that experience, my confidence in evangelism has grown. Why? Because I no longer fear doubt. When I see doubt in another person, if it is a genuine search for truth, I rejoice. When someone seeks Truth, they find it. Jesus does not hold back from reveal himself from people who seek.

The reason I have raised this question is to challenge the thoughts I myself used to have before which said that "doubt = disbelief". I am yet to meet a Christian who says they have never had any doubts. So why do we expect those who are not Christian, to believe without questioning? When they question, why do we equate it to a negative experience? Or a "hard-time". I was involved in campus ministry for the past few years. It is extremely exciting to find a questioning person because they almost always come around to fairly view Christianity for what it is.

It is almost worse to be a mistaken Christian than an unaware unbeliever. Ask your questions, weigh out the options, look for truth and come to your conclusion.

What are your thoughts on this?

I think much of the frustration Christians carry about people asking questions is that, more often than not, the or questions are done with an intent not to learn, but to prove us wrong. There is a difference between asking questions, even difficult ones, and trying to understand vs asking questions with the intent to prove themselves right.

 

[BoomPowUmm]

What you really should say is, ask questions to Jesus. Test him!
If you don't believe, get on your knees and pray. Say, "Jesus I think your a sham!" Then go on with your life and see what happens.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Now let me explain myself, please. I am not suggesting that people who do not allow questions are not confident, or that it is okay for a person to wander in their faith.
My question in the title comes from the experience I have had with myself and others. Although I grew up as a Christian, I did not understand this faith until I questioned it. Ever since that experience, my confidence in evangelism has grown. Why? Because I no longer fear doubt. When I see doubt in another person, if it is a genuine search for truth, I rejoice. When someone seeks Truth, they find it. Jesus does not hold back from reveal himself from people who seek.

The reason I have raised this question is to challenge the thoughts I myself used to have before which said that "doubt = disbelief". I am yet to meet a Christian who says they have never had any doubts. So why do we expect those who are not Christian, to believe without questioning? When they question, why do we equate it to a negative experience? Or a "hard-time". I was involved in campus ministry for the past few years. It is extremely exciting to find a questioning person because they almost always come around to fairly view Christianity for what it is.

It is almost worse to be a mistaken Christian than an unaware unbeliever. Ask your questions, weigh out the options, look for truth and come to your conclusion.

What are your thoughts on this?

I was the same way and was very blessed to had doubts that led me to a even stronger faith. I couldn't just except what i grew up knowing but wanted to say i believe because i once questioned everything i had ever known that led me to a true foundation of faith.