Christian Unbelief

[Ezra]

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Tim 4:3,4).

 

One of the most disheartening and disappointing phenomena today among Christians is "Christian unbelief".  You will see this again and again on Christian forums.  This is not a comment on any particular individual on this forum, but this exists across the board and across denominational lines.

 

One can present clear and plain Scriptures regarding any subject, and Christians will reject those Scriptures and cling to their own mistaken beliefs.  This comes as a shock to the system, since if anyone should submit to the Word of God, if should be those who profess Christ.

 

Has this been your experience? What do you do when Christians reject the truth?

[missmuffet]

You have your unbelievers who are honest and say "I don't believe in God" then you have the people who say they believe but it is in name only.Those are the most dangerous.

[Guest Teditis]

I see it all the time... and not just in discussions but also in behaviors and patterns of speech.

People are often quick with "counter-verses" taken out of context that support those mistaken

beliefs or explain away their behaviors as being interpreted incorrectly.

Their unbelief also presents itself as misguided beliefs.

So from my perspective it often comes down to a clouded mind which I have little talent or power

to "un-cloud". So my choices are slim... either walk away from the situation and/or pray for the other

person(s).

[RustyAngeL]

Jesus said, you are either for Me or against Me.  Can't have it both ways.  One foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom is not going to work.  You either believe or you don't, you can't cherry pick.

[The_Patriot21]

Here's the problem. Those same people, those Christians who you say aren't believing, probably are thinking the same thing as you right now. And quite frankly, while you maybe right about them-theyre also right about you. None of us can ever be right 100% of the time-even about scripture. We are human, it is impossible no matter how hard we try, to keep our own understanding out of scripture-we all are guilty of misinterpreting scripture, which is why its not only important to study scripture unendingly but to attend a good Bible believing church and bible studies with others, so that we can help each other further understand scripture-to correct us when were wrong and to learn to extend grace to others when they're wrong.

[Guest Teditis]

Still, Pat, there's a way to avoid that situation at least some of the time.

When you know that you don't know... be open about it and even admit it

when necessary. So instead of misinterpreting Scripture (or anything for that matter)

realize that it doesn't make sense to you and don't discuss it from any other view point.

Unless a thing is 100% clear to me... I "don't know" it.

[Willa]

The Holy Spirit enlightens us and leads us into all truth. We can pray for His light on the subject for ourselves as well as those we are trying to convince.

[OneLight]

When a person first comes to Christ, they do so with preconceived ideas as to what scripture says.  They accept Christ and are saved, but need to be taught by someone who is a teacher so they can grow in Him.  People who are father down the road of understanding and maturity sometimes forget where they came from, and too often label someone who is confused as a false believer due to what they believe.  These people cannot be in the same category as someone who has been a Cristian for many years but never bore any fruit or matured.

 

Be careful on how you look at someone you do not know.

[The_Patriot21]

I see it all the time... and not just in discussions but also in behaviors and patterns of speech.

People are often quick with "counter-verses" taken out of context that support those mistaken

beliefs or explain away their behaviors as being interpreted incorrectly.

Their unbelief also presents itself as misguided beliefs.

So from my perspective it often comes down to a clouded mind which I have little talent or power

to "un-cloud". So my choices are slim... either walk away from the situation and/or pray for the other

person(s).

So you've never taken a verse out of context? Or stood firmly upon a principle that at the time you 100% believed with all your heart? I know I have, and I dare say if anyone in this room says that they've never done that is not only lying-but is just as guilty as the " people " that this thread was originated for, because it reeks of pride and arrogance.

One light is right different people are at different walks of life. Most of us firmly believe what we believe-even if what we believe is wrong. With maturity many of us learn to listen to the counsel of others, and put aside our pride in order to learn more about God. But what we don't know is where others are in their walk, we need to keep in mind not everyone is at the same point we are, and we need to extend them grace, love, and understanding.

[Guest Teditis]

 

I see it all the time... and not just in discussions but also in behaviors and patterns of speech.

People are often quick with "counter-verses" taken out of context that support those mistaken

beliefs or explain away their behaviors as being interpreted incorrectly.

Their unbelief also presents itself as misguided beliefs.

So from my perspective it often comes down to a clouded mind which I have little talent or power

to "un-cloud". So my choices are slim... either walk away from the situation and/or pray for the other

person(s).

So you've never taken a verse out of context? Or stood firmly upon a principle that at the time you 100% believed with all your heart? I know I have, and I dare say if anyone in this room says that they've never done that is not only lying-but is just as guilty as the " people " that this thread was originated for, because it reeks of pride and arrogance.

One light is right different people are at different walks of life. Most of us firmly believe what we believe-even if what we believe is wrong. With maturity many of us learn to listen to the counsel of others, and put aside our pride in order to learn more about God. But what we don't know is where others are in their walk, we need to keep in mind not everyone is at the same point we are, and we need to extend them grace, love, and understanding.

 

 

I can say that I have indeed taken Scripture out of context before but I can also say that

I have never held dogmatically to any principle that I haven't fully understood... so I haven't

argued the point firmly or without leaving myself open to hear others' points-of-view.

It just isn't my way.

 

I agree that OneLight is correct .. to a point. While we are at different points on the same path

or similar paths, we don't all hold to those "preconceived ideas" with some Kung-Fu Death Grip,

some do; some don't. Learning (for me) comes easiest when I approach a subject humbly and

believing that anything preconceived is likely to be overturned. The blank-slate approach is best.