How to deal with self doubt about your faith?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#21
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.
James wrote scripture and James said that to know if we have faith is to look at our actions.

If you check how Jesus taught, almost all His teachings involved action. It is important what we think as we are told to keep our mind on what is of good report, but there is no scripture telling us we must have good theology. In fact the first churches were very lax on theology, they taught to love and that love was an action. It took three hundred years for the church to change to theology above acting out love. church withstood heresies that happened during that time. Even the heresy of the Gnostics didn't prevail.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,197
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
#22
self doubt is being human. Meet with other believers anyway you can to pray together. Study the word. Play praise music. If you have an Elder to lead you in confidence seek his or her council.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#23
self doubt is being human. Meet with other believers anyway you can to pray together. Study the word. Play praise music. If you have an Elder to lead you in confidence seek his or her council.
This is denying that our actions and thoughts are related. It bealieves in thinking the Christian life is doing the Christian life, and you can think theology and it is the way to the Lord. James tells us it is in doing theology that makes it true. Even Satan knew all about and believed in theology.
 

laymen

Senior Member
Apr 6, 2014
680
102
43
faithlife.com
#24
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.

2cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

James tells us how to Examine our self.. .

James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.


John also tells us this...


6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us
 

NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
977
386
63
#25
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.
Probably best to discuss in depth with your husband or pastor.
This is a tricky question, one that will likely get a wide range of answers here. Some will be true, some won’t be, but none will be as good as discussing with your local congregation.
 

JohnRH

Junior Member
Mar 5, 2018
676
324
63
#27
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.
It sounds to me like you're too focused on yourself; "my faith", "self doubt".
Instead, focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. (Heb. 12:2) :)
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,957
113
#28
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.
Read the Bible. Every day all year, every day. There is so much to build your faith!

Your faith is the faith Jesus gave to you. Not to condemn, but if you think of it as Jesus' faith, then why would you doubt it? You did not save yourself, it was a gift of God!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph 2:8-10

Once God saves you, he promised he will never leave or forsake you! Hebrews 13:5

God also promises that he will not let go, but will keep shaping and transforming you into his image till he returns.

"For I am sure of this very thing, that the He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6

Romans 8 is great to read. It shows that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Read it, memorize it. Hold onto it.

Try and forget about your faith, think about Jesus, and his death in the cross for your sins. Remember that no one is perfect, no one makes it to God because of their their own works, deeds or even faith. God gives it to us as ours, but he did it all.

I could give you loads more Scriptures. Send me a PM if you want to chat about this with me!!
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,957
113
#29
what i'm thinking is some times we can change the condition of the soil rather leaving it to luck.
Interesting reply. I prayed the parable of the sower for years. I felt the soil wasn't good, and asked God to transplant me to better soil. And he did! I'm not sure how exegetically correct that is, but there is no doubt, at different times, that I was overwhelmed with doubts, or choked by thorns etc. But, I just kept hanging on to God, and now, the soil is deep. Not me, but God did that.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,025
4,444
113
#30
Mark 9:23-24
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Every time we doubt as Jesus for help.
 

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
591
113
#31
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.
How Can I Be Sure Of My Faith
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,197
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
#32
Mark 9:23-24
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Every time we doubt as Jesus for help.
According to Romans 8 when we do not know what to pray the Holy Spirit prays for us.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,197
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
#34
This is denying that our actions and thoughts are related. It bealieves in thinking the Christian life is doing the Christian life, and you can think theology and it is the way to the Lord. James tells us it is in doing theology that makes it true. Even Satan knew all about and believed in theology.
funny, being human has those. I was not denying anyone being human.
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
#37
How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.
Cherie, what is it that you are actually doubting regarding faith in Jesus? Do you not believe or are you not entirely sure that you believe? If you could be more specific it would be helpful.

I do think that when we get caught up in ourselves and focus on ourselves, then doubt might creep in because we are totally unworthy of God's love, His grace and His sacrifice for us. We can do nothing at all to win God's favor aside from accepting that we are unworthy and reaching out your empty hand to accept His gift.

When you reach the point of total brokenness because you can see yourself as you are, a sinner who is not worthy of anything, the Lord will lift you up and you needn't focus on yourself anymore, but keep your eyes solely on Jesus. I believe our doubt is a result of self-centeredness instead of Christ-centeredness.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,025
4,444
113
#38
Cherie, what is it that you are actually doubting regarding faith in Jesus? Do you not believe or are you not entirely sure that you believe? If you could be more specific it would be helpful.

I do think that when we get caught up in ourselves and focus on ourselves, then doubt might creep in because we are totally unworthy of God's love, His grace and His sacrifice for us. We can do nothing at all to win God's favor aside from accepting that we are unworthy and reaching out your empty hand to accept His gift.

When you reach the point of total brokenness because you can see yourself as you are, a sinner who is not worthy of anything, the Lord will lift you up and you needn't focus on yourself anymore, but keep your eyes solely on Jesus. I believe our doubt is a result of self-centeredness instead of Christ-centeredness.
Interesting points you raise.

With your second paragraph I totally agree with the focus.
With the focus comes back on ourselves then it's not on Jesus.
Basically we move out of the zone. The zone being the focus.
In golf, golfers focus on all aspects of their game so when they play it's natural.
When things start to go wrong they try to correct it, so they start to tweak what is natural to them to something that is not. Simple thing like adjusting their grip.
Therefore out of the zone.

The same is for us.
But why so?
The list can be long and quite complicated and deep.

I think I disagree with the thoughts you concerning being unworthy.
This comes across to me as if we should always feel that way as believers.

I would say this is not the case because I say we are worthy of Gods love and acceptance, not based on what we do, who we are or think we are.

If we live that way then it's a burden we are carrying and a weight.

We are worthy based on our faith as result of accepting Jesus.

I always say to people that as a result of God is our Father, we are children of God just like Jesus.

God loves us as much as he loves Jesus, and nothing can separate us from that love.

That's the foundation of our lives, that's the zone we should always be in.
When we come out of that zone we must always come back to it regardless of feelings.

We are not sinners in the eyes of God but Saints, he sees us as he see Jesus.
We are hidden in him.

You say

"I believe our doubt is a result of self-centeredness instead of Christ-cenreredness"
Totally agree.
Couple of posts seem indicate works/actions and/or lack of them indicate we have no faith.

If we always put the focus on that then the focus is off Jesus.
Keep the focus on Jesus then works will follow.
We are children of God because of works, we are children because of Jesus.
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
#39
Interesting points you raise.

With your second paragraph I totally agree with the focus.
With the focus comes back on ourselves then it's not on Jesus.
Basically we move out of the zone. The zone being the focus.
In golf, golfers focus on all aspects of their game so when they play it's natural.
When things start to go wrong they try to correct it, so they start to tweak what is natural to them to something that is not. Simple thing like adjusting their grip.
Therefore out of the zone.

The same is for us.
But why so?
The list can be long and quite complicated and deep.

I think I disagree with the thoughts you concerning being unworthy.
This comes across to me as if we should always feel that way as believers.

I would say this is not the case because I say we are worthy of Gods love and acceptance, not based on what we do, who we are or think we are.

If we live that way then it's a burden we are carrying and a weight.

We are worthy based on our faith as result of accepting Jesus.

I always say to people that as a result of God is our Father, we are children of God just like Jesus.

God loves us as much as he loves Jesus, and nothing can separate us from that love.

That's the foundation of our lives, that's the zone we should always be in.
When we come out of that zone we must always come back to it regardless of feelings.

We are not sinners in the eyes of God but Saints, he sees us as he see Jesus.
We are hidden in him.

You say

"I believe our doubt is a result of self-centeredness instead of Christ-cenreredness"
Totally agree.
Couple of posts seem indicate works/actions and/or lack of them indicate we have no faith.

If we always put the focus on that then the focus is off Jesus.
Keep the focus on Jesus then works will follow.
We are children of God because of works, we are children because of Jesus.
I completely understand the golf reference. I am a golfer. :)

Regarding worthiness, as long as we always keep in mind that we are only worthy because God sees us in Christ. We have nothing to offer on our own.

.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#40
Cherie, what is it that you are actually doubting regarding faith in Jesus? Do you not believe or are you not entirely sure that you believe? If you could be more specific it would be helpful.

I do think that when we get caught up in ourselves and focus on ourselves, then doubt might creep in because we are totally unworthy of God's love, His grace and His sacrifice for us. We can do nothing at all to win God's favor aside from accepting that we are unworthy and reaching out your empty hand to accept His gift.

When you reach the point of total brokenness because you can see yourself as you are, a sinner who is not worthy of anything, the Lord will lift you up and you needn't focus on yourself anymore, but keep your eyes solely on Jesus. I believe our doubt is a result of self-centeredness instead of Christ-centeredness.

I believe in Jesus. The doubts that have often come up is a questioning of the genuineness of my own faith. I’ve had the question of could I think I believe but be deceived about believing.

It says in Jeremiah 17:9:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jer.17.9.esv
I’m not sure how I should interpret this verse from Jeremiah.

The book of 1 John I don’t understand fully. Some verses feel reassuring but other verses are not so comforting.

I want to know Jesus love for me. I have trouble with trusting him fully. I get worried he may turn me away . Still I never seen Jesus in the gospels reject or turn away a person who came to him sincerely which I have found comfort in.