Why do I have doubt whenever I read The Bible?

[SailorWriter]

It just bothering me when I re-read the New Testament and my thoughts give me doubt of my faith. How can I combat it?

 

[Dorothy Mae]

SailorWriter, the best way to overcome doubt when you read the scriptures is to do what the Holy Spirit is telling you to do from them. It’s exactly how Jesus tells us to build our faith, do his teachings. Then we know he told the truth. I don’t believe the Bible is true because the Bible says it’s true. I believe it’s true because I have tested it in the crucible of life and discovered it to be rock solid truth. So the bits I can test, I did. The bits I can’t, like Genesis in points, I trust to be true because of the reliability of the other bits.

 

[Mark51]

It just bothering me when I re-read the New Testament and my thoughts give me doubt of my faith. How can I combat it?

Make your concerns known to God through prayer and be persistent.

 

[Tenchi]

It just bothering me when I re-read the New Testament and my thoughts give me doubt of my faith. How can I combat it?

You will, in the end, simply have to choose what you believe. Trusting that what God has said in His word is true, trusting the Bible is the word of God, is a conscious act of your mind and will, not having a feeling of confidence in what He has said. In God's way of things, your feelings are to follow and come under the leadership of your mind and will, not the other way 'round. This is why God said to His Chosen People, the Israelites, "choose this day whom you will serve," not "if you feel like it serve me."

I was once following directions to a place I had been long before. I had a vague, confused memory of how to get where I was headed which is why I needed written directions. At one point, the directions didn't feel right to me; I had a strong sense that I should have gone along a route different from the directions I'd been given. But, despite what I felt, I chose to trust the directions I'd been given, which was, really, to trust the one who'd given them to me, and found myself eventually at my destination. Many times, as in this example, we have to act contrary to what we feel, choosing to follow reason, instead.

I have never felt like going to the dentist, but I go anyway. Reason, not feelings, tells me that the sensible thing to do is get my cavity filled, so I do. But I don't want to be injected, and drilled, and suctioned. I certainly don't want to shell out cash for the experience! But, despite this, because my feelings don't steer the ship of my living, I go the dentist anyway. So, too, in walking with God. Often, what you feel will oppose what you know you ought to choose to do.

 

[Maria1217]

It just bothering me when I re-read the New Testament and my thoughts give me doubt of my faith. How can I combat it?

Are you reading the Douay-Rheims Haydock Bible? If not, I strongly recommend it. What particular thoughts are those that give you doubts? What particular chapter, verse, or subject in the Scripture brings these doubts to mind? The best way to combat temptations against the Faith is to make as many Acts of Faith as doubts that assail your mind. For example: “O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I believe in Thee and all that Thy Holy Catholic Church doth teach, since it is Thou Who hast revealed it.”

Doubts arising in the mind may also be temptations from the devil. In either case, making Acts of Faith (prayer) are a powerful means of combating these doubts.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Maybe it’s time to revisit the basics of getting saved?

 

[citrus]

It's okay to doubt stuff or search answers. The bible has the most antiquities (manuscripts, text, historical documents, scrolls, fragments (puzzle pieces) in the world. Thousands. 5,800 fragments. There are codexes preserved in libraries all around the world. With all these it is easy super to find what the spelling errors are when in comparison. Even secular scholars agree Jesus walked the earth or they would seem as uneducated. There are tons of people in the bible that are proven to have existed. Places ect. Secular scholars held tight to believe that the hitties were made up until they found them in turkey. Scientists said that nothing can part the sea and then found the phenomenon of splitting of the sea in another country and trying to come up with all different conclusions Ladera blah blah people actually walk through parts of it before it goes away and returns again. I saw the video with my own eyes. From the ground and also big drones. I will look on my saved videos and tell you what it is called. God can di anything. He very easily could have gone off that cross as they mocked him. He was proven innocent, but end up on the cross. A lot of people can't tell symbolism, metaphors and poetry in the bible, visions and dreams ect. It really helps to know these things. Not all of it is literal. But probably try to shove him in a box. They want to be in control. I'll look it up for you sense I can't post the link, but we don't have to have evidence to have faith. So many things as evidence has been confiscated and stolen. Last year two more fragments were found in , The Cave of Horrors where the jews hid from the revolt. There was trash were people there had looted. It wasn't the dead sea scrolls. That was discovered in caves in 1947. Then their are amazing papyrus fragments. The bible is about faith. It is 99.5%. Who can not see how wonderful that is. Our God actually humbled himself and manifested from his self. He sent Jesus and forgave our sins. He is the only God and he actually went to a cross for us. He inteceeds for us and desires for us to be with him and be at peace.

 

[citrus]

The place is called, Jindo. I don't know how I can share it with you or if they took it down. Just try to look it up on Google or you tube. Hold on girl. There are answers. It's great for growth. Seek and aknowledge his presence. God bless

 

[citrus]

I can't find the jindo video, but keep trying to find it. It's saved in my Facebook.

 

[citrus]

They don't have the original. Keep googling.

 

[citrus]

It's not jindo the dog

 

[evenifigoalone]

Doubts are normal. You seem to be especially bothered by them, but in your case, for your sanity the answer is going to lie in becoming comfortable living with doubts. Doubts aren't necessarily bad and they aren't the end of the world.

 

[citrus]

No problem, those ancient people skipped generations. Israel referred to themselves as the “children of Israel” even though that was many generations back. Jesus is referred to as the son of David. His father’s name was Joseph. See what I mean?

Keep searching for answers and find the most logical ones. There always is one. The bible can handle scrutiny. It has for thousands of years. Don't worry about doubting. It is natural. We all doubt everything until we learn it. This is a fallen world and the enemy wants you to fear. Ask for godly fear instead. Don't give up on something because you haven't come to understand it yet. Be open minded.

 

[citrus]

Thank you for asking Sailor, these prophecies about Jesus may help:
PROPHECIES REGARDING THE MESSIAH
EVENT
PROPHECY
FULFILLMENT
Born of the tribe of Judah
Genesis 49:10
Luke 3:23-33
Born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:18-25
Descended from King David
Isaiah 9:7
Matthew 1:1, 6-17
Declared by Jehovah to be his Son
Psalm 2:7
Matthew 3:17
Not believed in
Isaiah 53:1
John 12:37, 38
Entered Jerusalem riding a donkey
Zechariah 9:9
Matthew 21:1-9
Betrayed by a close associate
Psalm 41:9
John 13:18, 21-30
Betrayed for 30 silver pieces
Zechariah 11:12
Matthew 26:14-16
Silent before his accusers
Isaiah 53:7
Matthew 27:11-14
Lots cast for his garments
Psalm 22:18
Matthew 27:35
Mocked while on the stake
Psalm 22:7, 8
Matthew 27:39-43
None of his bones broken
Psalm 34:20
John 19:33, 36
Buried with the rich
Isaiah 53:9
Matthew 27:57-60
Raised before corruption
Psalm 16:10
Acts 2:24, 27
Exalted to God’s right hand
Psalm 110:1
Acts 7:56

I think there are what, 300 fulfilled prophesies? I don't know. I just know otbis a big number. I don't know the exact number.

 

[Tenchi]

It just bothering me when I re-read the New Testament and my thoughts give me doubt of my faith. How can I combat it?

You know, the very best remedy for doubts about God is a direct, daily experience of Him. Yes, there's a HUGE pool of great reason and evidence for a belief in God but, in the end, the Christian life ought to lead you into intimate communion - fellowship - with Him. It's this personal, intimate experience of God every day that will eradicate all doubt about Him.

Those who encourage you to settle, as they have, into a doubt-filled, distant relationship with God are just revealing how little personal, transformative experience of God they enjoy. You don't have to be like them; you don't have to sink into a constantly-doubting "walk with God." Consider God's word on this:

Hebrews 11:6
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

God commands - not suggests - that His children believe in and trust Him, calling a heart of unbelief an evil thing, in fact.

Hebrews 3:12
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Doesn't God know that it's impossible not to doubt Him? Why would He be so demanding, so uncompromising, with His children? He doesn't leave any room for doubt! Is He afraid of our questioning Him? Is that it? No, of course not.

The reason God is so hard-nosed about His children believing in, and trusting, Him is that, for one, faith is vital to fellowship with Him. If we won't believe in and trust Him, we can't ever fully enjoy Him. And, for two, God has given us good, concrete reason to trust Him. He doesn't just say, "Trust me," without any reason to do so. Not at all. To every one of His children, God has sent the Holy Spirit who makes of them his "temple," his place of residence.

John 14:16-17 (ESV)
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
It's God the Holy Spirit that all born-again believers experience each day; it's his activity in them that both demonstrates that they are really saved and gives them a doubt-dissolving experience of God. What does the Holy Spirit do in a born-again person, exactly? Well, here's what the Bible says:

John 16:8 (ESV)
8 And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

John 16:13-14 (ESV)
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Philippians 2:13 (ESV)
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Romans 8:13-14 (ESV)
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

And so on. When a truly born-again person experiences the work of the Spirit in them in these ways, they grow to be certain that God is both real and within them, changing them and making them more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29). In this way, the Holy Spirit "bears witness with their spirit that they are children of God." (Romans 8:16) This "witness," this work of the Spirit within a believer, erases doubt, just as my daily experience of my wife erases all doubt about her existence and relationship to me.

So, you don't have to be mired forever in uncertainty and doubt about God. In fact, you must not be.

Hebrews 3:12-19 (ESV)
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?
17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?
19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

After the Exodus, when the Israelites finally arrived at the borders of Canaan, the Promised Land, they doubted God and refused to enter the land. Though they had seen God deliver them from cruel slavery to the Egyptians, parting the Red Sea, feeding them with manna, leading them with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud in the day, when the Israelites saw the inhabitants of Canaan, they shrank back in fear and doubt, refusing to believe God's promise to them that the land was theirs for the taking. This is what the writer of Hebrews is talking about in the passage above. Don't be like the Israelites!

 

[citrus]

Isreal always has been going back and forth with God's wrath and God's favor. The bible tells us to keep our hand on Isreal. (That was just a side note)

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

It just bothering me when I re-read the New Testament and my thoughts give me doubt of my faith. How can I combat it?

Usually this involves an alternative which you do put your faith in, an idol you think you can trust and rely on, a refuge that gives you transient peace and confort. This idol is vying for lordship with Jesus in your heart. You need to identify what this idol is, expose its shortcomings, figure out why Jesus is better, build an emotional bond, and return to his embrace. The fourth step is the hardest, as it goes beyond the intellectual strength.