Belief a CHOICE?

[smellycat]

you forget 1 thing,if Christ says they exist,then exist they do.

[Lily]

I suppose there are examples of choosing to believe such as,,
If you are in the UK as I am, it is dark outside now. I could tell you I think it's going to be a lovely day tomorrow. You ask how I come to that conclusion. I tell you it's a beautiful red sky. You can either choose to believe me by not checking or doubt me by checking.

Nonetheless, some would argue that even an analogy like that is based on experiences in life as to whether you trust peoples word.

[eddybear]

This is a very interesting question, rstrats.

There is a level on which I can choose what I believe. An example: let's say I realise I have done something sinful, that I can't deny. I then have a choice, I can listen to the condemning thoughts that say "You've blown it now, you're no good as a Christian, God doesn't love you any more etc.", or I can recall the promises of scripture about God correcting those he loves, and the forgiveness freely available in Christ, and I can come (yet again!) to him for the grace. In this example, there is an exercise of the will involved. In fact sometimes it is more than just an exercise, it is a real battle. But....

The fact that I know I can come to Christ is based on evidence (scripture) and personal experience. I am not, in this example, making myself believe something I didn't previously believe. What I am doing is making myself remember something that, deep down, I know is already true.

Trying to force myself to believe something contrary to what I actually believe deep down is going down a dangerous road of self-deception, that I think is very unwise. It is sad that some groups within Christendom teach things like "If you just believe for a miracle you'll get one" as if somehow we can (a) make ourselves believe things in this way, and (b) God is actually impressed when we do this, and (c) if we don't then get the miracle we demand of God, it's our fault for not believing enough. That sort of teaching drives me mad, because it destorys people when they are often at their most needy.

We need to make space for God to teach us his truth, and change what we believe at a deep level. That takes time in prayer, and can be a very slow (by our standards) process. But rather than man-made self-delusion, the Holy Spirit gently lead us into truth and changes what we believe not to what we want to believe, but even better to what is really true.

[rstrats]

eddybear,

re: “Trying to force myself to believe something contrary to what I actually believe deep down is going down a dangerous road of self-deception...”

But CAN you do that?

[gibby]

Someone can choose to believe, the same as someone can choose not to believe in spite of evidence to the contrary.

[rstrats]

Lily,

re: “You can either choose to believe me by not checking or doubt me by checking.”


The would be incorrect. As I said in the OP, I have never been able to consciously CHOOSE any of the beliefs that I have.

[Chuckt]

Belief is dertermined by life experiences.

EG : After trying two different types of washing powder, I believe one to be better than the other.



I believe this to be a leading trick question

There is a difference believing in something we know that doesn't exist (i.e. the easter bunny) and Christ who had a birth certificate.

[rstrats]

gibby,

re: “Someone can choose to believe, the same as someone can choose not to believe...”


I really hope that is true. Hopefully someone will be able to demonstrate that ability by complying with my request in the OP.

[Chuckt]

gibby,

re: “Someone can choose to believe, the same as someone can choose not to believe...”


I really hope that is true. Hopefully someone will be able to demonstrate that ability by complying with my request in the OP.

It isn't just choosing, rstrats.

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove (convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Sometimes people just feel that internal struggle and there is a conversation that only believers and God can hear.

We had a man walk into a local church with a two page resume on being in the Occult where he listed things he was involved in. He was into the spirits big time and they knew each other real well until they started to turn on him and he needed help in getting away so he put together his resume and walked into Church.

[rstrats]

Chuckt,

re: “It isn't just choosing, rstrats.”


I’m afraid I don’t see the relevance of your comment to the OP.