Doubting Thoughts

[Patti311]

I read threads about others who have had doubts regarding their salvation, and I feel bad because that must be an awful feeling and I say a prayer when I come across them. Well just today I'm having an attack. I know where it is coming from, but that doesn't make it any less painful. I know Who and what I believe in. I have no doubt Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took my punishment at Calvary, and without His sacrifice on the Cross I'd be lost forever, receiving what I justly deserve....eternity in Hell for my sins....and if not for a loving and forgiving God the Father making a way of escape, well, that would be my fate....that would be ALL our fates.

However, this morning I'm getting that subtle thought..."you're not really saved...you're too wicked and God could never forgive what YOU did". As I said, I know where they are coming from, and it seems the closer we get to the "end"...the more it seems more of us are getting assaulted....and really makes me mad.


Probably without a doubt Satan knows his time is very limited indeed....and he is putting up an all out fight...but still, those thoughts do "hurt". I just state that I know who I belong to and why, and the thoughts disappear. Thank You Lord Jesus for Your sacrifice and love!

[Florian9]

Patti,
We've all been there--as a matter of fact, I've been on the ropes for the past 2 weeks ducking and blocking attacks from the enemy. He's relentless against God's chosen ones. One thing I always remind myself when I'm brought to task with this lie from the pit of hell--it's Grace not works! Nobody can ever earn their salvation--we'd all have the same outcome if that was the case as you so eloquently outlined above.

John 6:29, Romans 10:9-10, John 14:6 (check, check, check).....

God armed us with his word....and Thank God we're not dependent on feelings for such matters. I really hurt for people who go thru life thinking their hellbound yet are truly repentant/forgiven sinners who accept the Lord Jesus.

[Anymomentnow]

I read threads about others who have had doubts regarding their salvation, and I feel bad because that must be an awful feeling and I say a prayer when I come across them. Well just today I'm having an attack. I know where it is coming from, but that doesn't make it any less painful. I know Who and what I believe in. I have no doubt Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took my punishment at Calvary, and without His sacrifice on the Cross I'd be lost forever, receiving what I justly deserve....eternity in Hell for my sins....and if not for a loving and forgiving God the Father making a way of escape, well, that would be my fate....that would be ALL our fates.

However, this morning I'm getting that subtle thought..."you're not really saved...you're too wicked and God could never forgive what YOU did". As I said, I know where they are coming from, and it seems the closer we get to the "end"...the more it seems more of us are getting assaulted....and really makes me mad.


Probably without a doubt Satan knows his time is very limited indeed....and he is putting up an all out fight...but still, those thoughts do "hurt". I just state that I know who I belong to and why, and the thoughts disappear. Thank You Lord Jesus for Your sacrifice and love!

Glad you worked it through Patti311.
The accuser of the brethren is certainly doing overtime....But resist him( as you obviously have) and he will flee

[fan4sure]

Thanks for sharing. You just never know which one of us on this board is going thru the same doubing thoughts as you, and yes we all know who is behind it, but it sure does help when a sister or a brother comes in and shares a few scriptures and encouraging words. I've been having my own moments of doubt and it seems I stay in one long continuous prayer asking Father to forgive me for doubting. I cling to the hope of Jesus coming for us soon. (And when I start to feel down, I go watch the video clip #3 of the shofar and instantly feel revived in the Spirit!)

My husband and I just shake our heads at the things going on today that the world is so eager to accept. We watch Hal Lindsey on tv and FOX news at times, but other than that everything else is just trash. And even watching FOX news gets him angry and fuming.

Take care Friend, surely it can't be much longer.

[Lynn]

2 Timothy 1:12 will help with this. When He was being tempted by Satan while in the wilderness, Jesus answered him with Scripture. It works every time. If we resist Satan he will flee James 4:7

[Judy for Jesus]

The DOUBT Whisperer
By: Maxine M.

Ever notice how a favorite trick of Satan’s is to initiate questions filled with DOUBT?
Questions that catch you by surprise; make you wonder, what is this REALLY all about
Spreading skepticism concerning the accuracy of God’s word…by subtle whisper or lively shout

He asked unsuspecting Eve, “Did God REALLY say?”… testing her memory for sure
Dispersing doubt, with a promise of gaining wisdom, by “self-advancement” he could allure
With HALF TRUTHS about what God HAD said, the fall of humanity would occur

He came to Jesus Himself in the wilderness when He was hungry & weak
Suggesting, IF you are the Son of God, these stones will become bread if you merely speak
Power & prestige I’ll give You if You give ME the recognition I seek

But unlike Eve, Jesus had a READY answer…the “sword” of a scripture verse
He deflected & destroyed Satan’s temptations, even though Satan was at his worst
Diverting the deadly darts of lust of the flesh (pleasure), lust of the eyes (possessions) & the pride (power) with which Satan himself is cursed

Satan even DARED the Father, asking, “Does Job only serve You because of Your all encompassing protection?”
Challenging God that Job would curse Him if his life took a different direction
But God knew that even though Job may “WHINE”, he wouldn’t loose his faith’s connection

Remember when Peter walked TOWARD Jesus…on the water? Now we’re not told
But I’d bet Satan whispered in his ear, “Peter!! How can WATER your weight hold?”
Suddenly DOUBT made him sink...whereas, in faith, he had easily strolled

Now how about YOU? What doubt has he whispered in your ear?
Insidious thoughts that confuse; degrade your confidence, make the future unclear
Questions only you can answer when you look in the mirror

Instead of the “personally designed” person God made, do you see defects & flaws?
Hear Satan’s voice questioning, “Do you really think YOU measure up?”…making you pause
Destroying your joy & inner peace…exciting Satan, for THIS is his foremost cause

Knowing that if he can get you feeling “DOWN”, you’ll join him in depression’s grip
That’s where he’s most at home, when a lie or half truth crosses his deceptive lip
When time in God’s Word or prayer he can get you to simply skip

Whispering, “Since today you are going to be SO busy but you promised to see a sick friend
That will have to wait; along with bible study…maybe tomorrow you’ll have more time to spend”
“Doesn’t God know how busy you are?”…the deceiver, a sympathetic word will send

Now perhaps by accident you stumble on an X-rated site while browsing the “net”
Before you can turn it off Satan asks, what would it hurt, AREN’T your morals firmly set?
Couldn’t it be our little secret, you won’t get “hooked”, you need not fret

Or even hear him whisper, why don’t you add a little extra to your expense report
Doesn’t everyone do it, the boss wouldn’t know, it’s not like you’ll be taken to court
You really DESERVE more than you’re paid and this month you’re running a little short

So we see how this spreader of lies uses mistrust & doubt as a successful tool
If he can sow ridicule & uncertainty, he knows a Christian’s enthusiasm for Christ can cool
He’ll mockingly ask, “Why are you STILL waiting for the Rapture…do you like looking like a fool?”

“Are you so certain of His coming again? What’s the reason for the (SEEMING) delay?”
Daringly, he may ask, “Are you EVEN SURE of your Salvation today?!”
“You once asked Jesus into your heart, but you’ve broken so many Commandments along the way”

Now, like Jesus, you need to know how to defend yourself by trusting the LOVE our Father has shown
Understand, even though your union with Christ may be STRAINED, Salvation is by GRACE ALONE
And once you’re called His Child, truly born again, He will NEVER forsake His own

And the relationship can be FULLY restored by repentance & SINCERE prayer
Reconciling with your Lord, because ALL your sins on the cross He’d bear
So don’t be deterred by Satan’s tricky questions…TRUST the promise of Christ’s coming to gather us together in the air!

[antitox]

If we focus on ourselves it's always going to look bad because we'll never measure up. That's why we must look to the Author and Finisher of our faith and not at ourselves.

Even Paul asked "who will deliver me from this body of death?" That's a really valid point as he voiced his own struggle with it. Our plight is just what it is, a struggle with our fallen nature.

The Lord is good and He looks upon us with great mercy and grace. Every day I am thankful that He has told us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and He reminds me in many other ways. It is truly comforting.

[gma dolittle]

Satan sure knows how to work and he's not fair! He camps on my front porch and uses every little thing he can to put doubts in my mind. I have been tempted to pray that he could have a vacation and leave me alone for awhile because he is bound to be tired as hard as he works, but I know soon he will have a thousand year vacation! However, I know the only reason he wants me is because I belong to Christ and the closer I walk with God , the harder Satan works.
Hang tight to your faith. The doubt that you are saved is Satan's favorite attack. Ask the Holy Spirit to deal with your doubts and he will. Remember that Paul said in Romans 8 :38-39 that absolutely nothing could separate us from the love of God and in verses 26-27 he said the Holy Spirit would go to God to make intercession for us when we cannot pray. grandma

[Patti311]

Satan sure knows how to work and he's not fair! He camps on my front porch and uses every little thing he can to put doubts in my mind. I have been tempted to pray that he could have a vacation and leave me alone for awhile because he is bound to be tired as hard as he works, but I know soon he will have a thousand year vacation! However, I know the only reason he wants me is because I belong to Christ and the closer I walk with God , the harder Satan works.
Hang tight to your faith. The doubt that you are saved is Satan's favorite attack. Ask the Holy Spirit to deal with your doubts and he will. Remember that Paul said in Romans 8 :38-39 that absolutely nothing could separate us from the love of God and in verses 26-27 he said the Holy Spirit would go to God to make intercession for us when we cannot pray. grandma

Thank you for your words gma.....in addition, that is what my grandkids call me "G-Ma" and my husband is "Pa". In fact, thank all of you as well. It's a small comfort to know when we go through times like this we have each other to hold us all up.

[golden mean]

I've been having doubting thoughts too. I look around and see very few people who truly believe and have the fruits of the spirit. My church is about the only place where other christians are to be found. Its discouraging. I found out recently that a one of my favorite evangelical leaders is not the man I though he was. He is leading many people down the path of destruction a very wide path indeed. Its hard to fathom that he would do this knowing what he surely knows about Jesus. Why would someone do this and lose their eternal salvation? This puts doubts in my mind. But like some one said up thread, I need only to seek the Lord and his word and the doubts leave. I believe the gate is much narrower than any of us ever imagined.

[gma dolittle]

I've been having doubting thoughts too. I look around and see very few people who truly believe and have the fruits of the spirit. My church is about the only place where other christians are to be found. Its discouraging. I found out recently that a one of my favorite evangelical leaders is not the man I though he was. He is leading many people down the path of destruction a very wide path indeed. Its hard to fathom that he would do this knowing what he surely knows about Jesus. Why would someone do this and lose their eternal salvation? This puts doubts in my mind. But like some one said up thread, I need only to seek the Lord and his word and the doubts leave. I believe the gate is much narrower than any of us ever imagined.

Golden,
Paul said in II Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14)And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

I hate that an evangelical leader disappointed you, but as Paul says, that is their job. To lead you and many more astray. One of Satan's best tools is doubt. To make you disappointed with Christianity and doubt all you know about God. Is it working? If so, then he has done his job and achieved his goal. Fight him, hang on to your faith and pray. God is the same today as he always has been and so is his promises. He does not decieve nor lie, but Satan does. I will pray for you. grandma

[Judy for Jesus]

Why would someone do this and lose their eternal salvation? This puts doubts in my mind.

Just wanted to make sure you realize that once you are saved you do NOT ever lose your salvation...once saved always saved. IMHO

[golden mean]

Just wanted to make sure you realize that once you are saved you do NOT ever lose your salvation...once saved always saved. IMHO

Miss Judy, I agree with you. I guess this man was never really saved and this grieves me very much.