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Questions about Fanatics

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Ashley

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My boyfriend has been acting very strange lady. He has been talking about god incessantly, continually almost insanely trying to draw closer to god, and his methods get weirder and weirder. Today he said that god was talking to him, telling him not to drink anything but water, but eating was ok. And he said god told him it was fasting. Should I distance myself from him? Is he becoming a fanatic? It's consuming his whole life and being and it's almost all he wants to talk about ever.
 
My boyfriend has been acting very strange lady. He has been talking about god incessantly, continually almost insanely trying to draw closer to god, and his methods get weirder and weirder. Today he said that god was talking to him, telling him not to drink anything but water, but eating was ok. And he said god told him it was fasting. Should I distance myself from him? Is he becoming a fanatic? It's consuming his whole life and being and it's almost all he wants to talk about ever.

Father, i lift up Ashley, and her boyfriend. Thank You for giving them both peace, and for making Yourself so very real to them both. Thank You for leading and guiding them into all truth. In Jesus Name i pray, Amen.
Ashley, would it be a bad thing if your boyfriend was totally sold out to God? Something that you have to decide is if you can handle it, and if you are on board with what God is doing in his life. Pray for God to give him wisdom, and to help you to know where you want to fit into this equasion.
Blessing of peace be unto you both!
 
My boyfriend has been acting very strange lady. He has been talking about god incessantly, continually almost insanely trying to draw closer to god, and his methods get weirder and weirder. Today he said that god was talking to him, telling him not to drink anything but water, but eating was ok. And he said god told him it was fasting. Should I distance myself from him? Is he becoming a fanatic? It's consuming his whole life and being and it's almost all he wants to talk about ever.

Lot's of women going to church praying daily that their Husband would pray more, honor God more, be willing to step out in faith as a man when they think it might be God.

I talk about God all the time, hear God, speak in tongues and get direction when needed. As a man of my house, it's my job to stay close to God.

The World will value the things of the World though.
 
My boyfriend has been acting very strange lady. He has been talking about god incessantly, continually almost insanely trying to draw closer to god, and his methods get weirder and weirder. Today he said that god was talking to him, telling him not to drink anything but water, but eating was ok. And he said god told him it was fasting. Should I distance myself from him? Is he becoming a fanatic? It's consuming his whole life and being and it's almost all he wants to talk about ever.
define fanatic ? it would depend on his methods we draw close to God through the Bible and prayer... if he feels led to fast so be it.. but fasting is between him and the Lord .. might i say if your a christian it would be a good time for you to draw close to God .the Bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. what exactly is he doing that freaks you out?
 
Hey Ashley , without knowing all the details , I would say this world needs more people of God like your boyfriend . Father God I pray your Holy Son is truly working in Ashleys boyfriends life , in the name of Jesus Christ , amen .
 
My boyfriend has been acting very strange lady. He has been talking about god incessantly, continually almost insanely trying to draw closer to god, and his methods get weirder and weirder. Today he said that god was talking to him, telling him not to drink anything but water, but eating was ok. And he said god told him it was fasting. Should I distance myself from him? Is he becoming a fanatic? It's consuming his whole life and being and it's almost all he wants to talk about ever.
How old is he?Maybe he needs an evaluation with a therapist.
 
My boyfriend has been acting very strange lady. He has been talking about god incessantly, continually almost insanely trying to draw closer to god, and his methods get weirder and weirder. Today he said that god was talking to him, telling him not to drink anything but water, but eating was ok. And he said god told him it was fasting. Should I distance myself from him? Is he becoming a fanatic? It's consuming his whole life and being and it's almost all he wants to talk about ever.
While I know a lot of Christians not in your situation may see his recent behavior as a positive sign, I have to admit it reminds me a lot of a favorite saying of an old Bible College professor of mine: "Don't become so heavenly minded that you are no longer any earthly good!"

It's really hard for anyone on this forum (not being there with you to see all the details) to have a very good idea of what's really going on with him. For example, has he been a growing Christian for a long time, and this is a new stage in his "Christian growth"? Or did he just recently become a Christian and this is all brand new? Are you a Christian? (Meaning are you able to observe him from a mature Christian perspective to have insight into what he is going through? Or is this all brand new to you?) But I have to admit, as a long time Christian myself, and having worked with and counseled many Christians, both new and seasoned, what you are describing raises a red flag for me. What you are describing could be a part of Christian growth, but in the past I've found that all too often when people suddenly start incessantly talking about God directly telling them things that aren't in scripture already, it's more often than not a sign of either a mental problem, or a sign that they are being influenced by some sort of fanatic. For example, scripture never describes fasting as simply abstaining from drinking anything other than water and eating all the food you want is OK... This could be the way God is leading him to fast for some reason and isn't necessarily wrong, but you are telling us this is coupled together with a lot of other recent behavior that you consider strange. That's why it raises a red flag for me.

An evaluation with a therapist might be a good idea since you said there has been a lot of other "strange" behavior as well. (But of course that would be something that would have to be his decision to do.) Or this may simply be a progression in his faith that is going a different way than your own is going (assuming you are also a Christian) and may be an indication that the two of you are incompatible to take your relationship further. He's your "boyfriend", not your husband. There's no command in scripture that puts you under his spiritual authority in any way, and these are the kind of things you need to look at now, before taking that possible step toward marriage! Hey, even Paul and Barnabas in the Bible went their own separate ways when they saw things differently. (Acts 15:36-41) Like I said, it's really hard to know any of this without a lot more detail, so this is all just food for thought.
 
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While I know a lot of Christians not in your situation may see his recent behavior as a positive sign, I have to admit it reminds me a lot of a favorite saying of an old Bible College professor of mine: "Don't become so heavenly minded that you are no longer any earthly good!"

It's really hard for anyone on this forum (not being there with you to see all the details) to have a very good idea of what's really going on with him. For example, has he been a growing Christian for a long time, and this is a new stage in his "Christian growth"? Or did he just recently become a Christian and this is all brand new? Are you a Christian? (Meaning are you able to observe him from a mature Christian perspective to have insight into what he is going through? Or is this all brand new to you?) But I have to admit, as a long time Christian myself, and having worked with and counseled many Christians, both new and seasoned, what you are describing raises a red flag for me. What you are describing could be a part of Christian growth, but in the past I've found that all too often when people suddenly start incessantly talking about God directly telling them things that aren't in scripture already, it's more often than not a sign of either a mental problem, or a sign that they are being influenced by some sort of fanatic. For example, scripture never describes fasting as simply abstaining from drinking anything other than water and eating all the food you want is OK... This could be the way God is leading him to fast for some reason and isn't necessarily wrong, but you are telling us this is coupled together with a lot of other recent behavior that you consider strange. That's why it raises a red flag for me.

An evaluation with a therapist might be a good idea since you said there has been a lot of other "strange" behavior as well. (But of course that would be something that would have to be his decision to do.) Or this may simply be a progression in his faith that is going a different way than your own is going (assuming you are also a Christian) and may be an indication that the two of you are incompatible to take your relationship further. He's your "boyfriend", not your husband. There's no command in scripture that puts you under his spiritual authority in any way, and these are the kind of things you need to look at now, before taking that possible step toward marriage! Hey, even Paul and Barnabas in the Bible went their own separate ways when they saw things differently. (Acts 15:36-41) Like I said, it's really hard to know any of this without a lot more detail, so this is all just food for thought.
Right without seeing him and knowing him it is impossible to know what is going on.
 
If He is doing anything contrary to the Word of God then point it out, otherwise, if He is following Jesus and encouraging you to do the same, that's a good thing; being led of the Holy Spirit makes you a son of God. It's rare to find a man who will put God and His Word 1st place in his life; Jesus is the head of the Believer, which means He is #1, in all things. If Jesus is being obeyed and followed, good always follows you. Can't go wrong with that.
 
Ashley,

You have not posted, except for your original, guest post, so I am not sure if you will actually see this.

But since this is about a month later than your original post, I need to ask "Have his behaviors changed in any manner?" There can be many different reasons for his "sudden changes in behavior" and I am not going to hazard a guess over the Internet. They could range from some sort of epiphany to medical/psychiatric issues.

Generally speaking, it is unusual for Christians to change behaviors radically, but since the book of Acts details the epiphanies of Saul/Paul, and later of Peter, telling him it was OK to eat non-Kosher meats, we cannot discount them entirely. so you have to ask, and watch him to be sure.

That brings up the second part, the medical/psychiatric part of your question, and here I can be more specific. There are no laws in Western countries dictating how a person should believe; for that we all can be grateful. But in all of these same countries, there are laws about harming yourself, or others. It is a matter of public safety, and of common sense.

I do not presume you to be an expert in mental health, so you cannot make any evaluation. However, you can (and should IMHO) ask the boyfriend if this "God" or "voice" he hears has ever told him to do harm to either himself, or to others. If you do get an affirmative reply, DO NOTHING ELSE except saying a quiet, non committal "Thank you for that".

Then when you get into a safe place, call the local mental health people. They are trained to evaluate the situation, your words and your boy friend, so let them. If you are silent, and he goes off the deep end later, you will blame yourself if he acts out inappropriately.

If he gets "mad" at you for calling in the mental health people, you can always tell him the truth: Because you care for him, you wanted to make sure that qualified people did an evaluation.

Hope that this helps,and that it seems like a common sense approach to your question.

Shalom
 
Ashley could very well be reading our responses without actually posting anything else just yet. Her lack of posting doesn't mean she is not benefiting from this.
 
Ashley,

You have not posted, except for your original, guest post, so I am not sure if you will actually see this.

But since this is about a month later than your original post, I need to ask "Have his behaviors changed in any manner?" There can be many different reasons for his "sudden changes in behavior" and I am not going to hazard a guess over the Internet. They could range from some sort of epiphany to medical/psychiatric issues.

Generally speaking, it is unusual for Christians to change behaviors radically, but since the book of Acts details the epiphanies of Saul/Paul, and later of Peter, telling him it was OK to eat non-Kosher meats, we cannot discount them entirely. so you have to ask, and watch him to be sure.

That brings up the second part, the medical/psychiatric part of your question, and here I can be more specific. There are no laws in Western countries dictating how a person should believe; for that we all can be grateful. But in all of these same countries, there are laws about harming yourself, or others. It is a matter of public safety, and of common sense.

I do not presume you to be an expert in mental health, so you cannot make any evaluation. However, you can (and should IMHO) ask the boyfriend if this "God" or "voice" he hears has ever told him to do harm to either himself, or to others. If you do get an affirmative reply, DO NOTHING ELSE except saying a quiet, non committal "Thank you for that".

Then when you get into a safe place, call the local mental health people. They are trained to evaluate the situation, your words and your boy friend, so let them. If you are silent, and he goes off the deep end later, you will blame yourself if he acts out inappropriately.

If he gets "mad" at you for calling in the mental health people, you can always tell him the truth: Because you care for him, you wanted to make sure that qualified people did an evaluation.

Hope that this helps,and that it seems like a common sense approach to your question.

Shalom
it should not be surprising to hear a Believer say they talk with God and hear HIS voice; the Scripture says if we DON'T hear His voice then we aren't His sons (or daughters) (either Romans or Ephesians). Jesus says we hear His voice if we are His.
So to be quick to suspect someone of lunacy for being a Believer who hears the voice of God is actually lunacy. (Obviously if their behavior is dangerous or is causing harm then you already know they are hearing from Satan and not God...)
 
it should not be surprising to hear a Believer say they talk with God and hear HIS voice; the Scripture says if we DON'T hear His voice then we aren't His sons (or daughters) (either Romans or Ephesians). Jesus says we hear His voice if we are His.
So to be quick to suspect someone of lunacy for being a Believer who hears the voice of God is actually lunacy. (Obviously if their behavior is dangerous or is causing harm then you already know they are hearing from Satan and not God...)
I don't think anyone has accused him of lunacy, but the truth is that what she described him as doing, while may not be surprising to see in a Christian, is also not surprising to see in a person with a mental illness. This is why some of us have suggested this as a possibility based on the limited information we are given so that if this ends up being the case, perhaps Ashley can get help for him. And if it is God doing this in his life, maybe God's just leading him in a different direction than He's leading Ashley.
 
I don't think anyone has accused him of lunacy, but the truth is that what she described him as doing, while may not be surprising to see in a Christian, is also not surprising to see in a person with a mental illness. This is why some of us have suggested this as a possibility based on the limited information we are given so that if this ends up being the case, perhaps Ashley can get help for him. And if it is God doing this in his life, maybe God's just leading him in a different direction than He's leading Ashley.
I see what you're saying, and I dont think it's wrong, it just seemed there was an eagerness (probably based on people's experience from the past) to jump up and offer that as a possibility when based on what she said there just aren't any specifics to warrant that type of assumption.
 
I see what you're saying, and I dont think it's wrong, it just seemed there was an eagerness (probably based on people's experience from the past) to jump up and offer that as a possibility when based on what she said there just aren't any specifics to warrant that type of assumption.
Problem is she really didn't give us enough specifics to warrant any type of assumption or conclusion, so all any of us can do is to speculate on what could be going on. And there's nothing wrong with that. Exploring all the possibilities is ok until and if Ashley gives us more info.
 
Problem is she really didn't give us enough specifics to warrant any type of assumption or conclusion, so all any of us can do is to speculate on what could be going on. And there's nothing wrong with that. Exploring all the possibilities is ok until and if Ashley gives us more info.
im glad that I haven't shared in the open given this place at times.
 
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