I've been posting on here quite a bit these past few days, because I have so many questions and so many doubts, and no one to help me in real life.

Today, I decided I would spend 1 hour praying/reading the Bible, even if I didn’t want to.

For context, I'm a skeptic. I'm also someone that has been wounded (as most have been) by people, and trust is hard to give. I didn’t grow up praying or attending church often (It’s mostly seen as outdated/traditional in my country). My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts 24/7, so concentrating on prayer is pretty difficult for me. It’s even more difficult praying without believing, because it feels like I'm pretending, and my body just wants to stop midway.

Today, I didn’t let it. I set up a timer for 1 hour, turned off wifi, put my phone away, and got on my knees. I started talking and talking, not really knowing what I was saying. It didn’t feel genuine, but I continued. I remembered people saying that repentance and gratitude are really important, so I tried, even if I was numb while doing so. I told Him what I remembered, but it felt forced. I kept going nonetheless. I even asked the Holy Spirit for help, even though every single word that came out of my mouth felt insincere.

After 20 (very quick) minutes of prayer, I picked up my old Bible from when I was 7/8. It has my name written in cursive in the first page (from when I was a child in catechism classes) and I thought it was sweet.

For some reason, Job came to my mind while praying… I don’t know if it’s because I saw a movie once that was a reenactment of that story or because I'm so used to seeing people on TikTok saying “God told me to read this book/chapter, and it spoke to me”. Maybe my brain just wanted to fit in.

I read two random chapters that came to mind… they didn’t really connect but, at least I was trying. Then the name “Ecclesiastes” came to mind and I read it all. I know I should read slower, to comprehend more… but I'm not there just yet.

I underlined a few verses that got me thinking…

Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (I definitely didn’t do this, I was all over the place…)

Ecclesiastes 11:9 “ You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment” (I feel like I've been failing in this, and it made me a bit sad. That God might expect more of me and that I am the opposite.)

Well… I know this isn’t much, I know I didn’t have an encounter or feel all the emotions, but this is what I managed today. I hope I will continue. I will be honest and say, I still feel nothing. But maybe God was listening nevertheless, because for some reason, I stayed. I’m stubborn enough to keep going, I hope.

I didn’t ask Him for any desire yet. I actually asked Him for the opposite. I want to be a mom, more than most things in life. But I don’t want to have a closed off wounded heart and soul while I do it. It’s unfair for the innocent baby, and I want to love them well. I just told Him to withhold that (and a loving husband) from me until He thinks it’s the right time.

I never asked for prayers in my life, but if any of you would kindly keep me in yours, I'd greatly appreciate it :)

My son is 13. I recently became aware that he had been engaging in self pleasure. Now previously I had talked to him about puberty and what intercourse was and that it was a good thing just for when he was older and married. But I had never really said anything about that solo activity.

So I had a little chat with him. Explained how God designed that pleasure for marriage when he was older and not for right now. How God wanted that act to be relational and not handled on your own whenever you felt like it. How self control and denying yourself was part of our walk with Christ.

We have devices locked down good so he wasn’t watching anything but I talked about lust and being careful of the media we consumed and how we should guard our bodies as they are God’s and we are just stewards of them. 

He seemed to understand. Was really embarrassed and looked sad. Said he didn’t know that wasn’t okay. Thought as long as he saved himself for marriage and didn’t do anything with anyone else he was doing what God wanted. Said it just felt really good and just made him feel relieved. I said that’s the way God designed our bodies, it just has to be used in the right place.

A few weeks later I became aware he was doing it again. So I had another little chat with him. Said I knew it was hard and we all fail some but we should try our best to honor God with our bodies.

He started crying. Said he was sorry. He said he was trying his best to stop. He said the feelings were just so strong. Sometimes it was hard to fall asleep at night. Said it was really uncomfortable and it was really hard to focus on other things when everything was so tense. He asked why God made him this way when marriage was so far away. 

He cried some more and asked if I was going to punish him. I said no. He said he’d try really hard not to do it again but it was so difficult. And to please don’t get mad at him if he failed again. I said I wouldn’t and God would forgive him and we will never be perfect this side of heaven but we should try to be more like him. And try to just think about higher things rather than worrying about getting it right every time.

He got a little annoyed with me and said I didn’t understand what it felt like and it wasn’t that simple or easy to just ignore it. I just said what God has called us to isn’t always easy, but he will give us the strength we need. I don’t feel he was convinced. 

He stayed in his room the rest of the day. Skipped dinner and said he wasn’t hungry. Seemed normal the next day. I gave him a big hug and reminded him I loved him. He said he knew.

He’s just such a good son and is so respectful and does his best to please us in everything he does. None of that typical teen attitude. He can be a bit anxious at times and it just really broke my heart that I feel I exacerbated him unnecessarily and just heaped on more shame than he was already feeling. 

What should I do moving forward? I feel from now on I’m not going to comment on specific private acts even if I become aware of them. I don’t want to monitor his failures. Just model good behavior and talk generally about following God. My wife says maybe I should take a more “active” approach and help him find ways to resist. Said it’s easier to set him on the right path when he’s young. 

I just feel he’s focusing on it so much it’s making it worse. But I don’t want to minimize his feelings and I’m sure it is intense at his age. And I feel like saying “don’t worry about it so much” isn’t the right message either. 

What else should I be doing or saying? How do I balance truth and grace with my son? This is so hard. I hate to see him like this. 

I don't know what to do in my marriage.

I say this as someone who deeply loves his wife and would do anything for her. But I'm incredibly frustrated, and I honestly feel like she's making life much harder than it needs to be.

We've been married for three years. When we got married, I moved an hour and a half away from my family and the place where I grew up. That was my choice, so I'm not blaming her for that.

I hate divorce, and I believe Scripture only permits it in cases of adultery or abandonment. I have no intention of divorcing my wife.

The problem is that we've had this same conversation over and over again, yet very little changes.

My wife struggles with depression, but she refuses to seek counseling or professional help. She's one of the most negative people I've ever known, and although I don't think she means to, many of her comments deeply hurt me. Living with constant negativity has begun to affect me too.

For the past three years, I've done the vast majority of the laundry, dishes, and household chores. When I ask for help, she'll usually improve for a month or two, but then everything gradually falls back on me again.

She's also very stubborn about simple things I've asked her to do, and I often feel like my concerns aren't being heard.

One of the hardest things for me is ministry.

I genuinely believe God has called me to pastoral ministry. But because of where our marriage is right now, I don't believe I meet the qualifications to pursue it. I've shared this with her multiple times.

She has told me she doesn't feel called to be a pastor's wife. That absolutely breaks my heart.

I've explained that I don't expect her to be some highly visible "first lady." All I've ever wanted is for her to faithfully follow Christ and worship with me. She doesn't have to lead ministries or be in the spotlight.

Church attendance has become another painful issue.

Our service starts at 10:30 a.m., and I usually begin trying to wake her up around 8:00. Most Sundays she still doesn't come. She stays up too late Saturday night and usually has some reason she can't make it. I jokingly call it "Sunday sickness"—she feels terrible until around noon.

Part of this started after we changed churches.

Before we were married, I told her that if she wanted to continue attending her church, I wouldn't stop her, but I couldn't stay there myself.

She grew up in a church that is very similar to the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. Her grandmother, before she passed away, made her feel guilty for attending a charismatic church with me and accused her of abandoning her faith.

One night she came to bed crying because she thought she was living in sin simply because she wasn't exclusively using the King James Bible.

I've told her many times that I don't care which faithful translation she reads. If she wants to use the King James Version, that's perfectly fine with me. I think it's a wonderful translation. Yet this issue still comes up from time to time.

She says she doesn't feel close to God at our church and that it feels like a social gathering to her, even though our pastor faithfully preaches through books of the Bible, verse by verse.

I understand it's different from what she's used to. When I attended her former church, the pastor mostly preached by loudly shouting throughout the sermon. That's simply not my style, nor where I believe God wants me to be.

At this point, I've accepted that I may not be able to pursue pastoral ministry because of my current circumstances.

What I can do is strive to be the best husband I know how to be. I can stay faithful in prayer and Scripture. I can continue encouraging my wife to walk with Christ and attend church without nagging or becoming bitter. I can also continue sharing the gospel with others. I don't believe God has disqualified me from being an evangelist.

But I'm heartbroken.

I've shared all of this with my wife multiple times, and I honestly don't know what else to do.

Part of me wonders if this is my own fault. When I was looking for a wife, I pushed my sense of calling into the background because what I wanted most was a wife and a family. I also sinned sexually before marriage. I've confessed that to God and asked for His forgiveness. Sometimes I wonder if the hardships I'm facing are God's discipline for my past sins. If they are, then I still praise Him because He is good and just.

I was born with a bad back, which limits the kind of work I can do. I don't have a college degree. I'm thankful to have a job I can physically handle, even though it doesn't pay a lot. When we got married, my wife had an excellent job. She later left it, took another position that didn't work out, and thankfully now has a decent job again.

Sometimes I wonder if, because she has the more physically demanding or traditionally masculine job, she feels less responsible for helping around the house. I don't know if that's true, but it crosses my mind.

I'm trying my best.

Whenever I'm tempted toward bitterness, I remind myself how many times I've disobeyed God and how gracious He has been to forgive me.

I truly believe my wife is a Christian. I just don't believe she's in a healthy spiritual place right now.

I'm going to keep praying for her. I'll keep encouraging her to come to church. If she truly wanted to return to her old church, I'd even be willing to attend with her if it meant she would faithfully worship God, even though I know I would struggle there theologically.

Please pray for us.

If you have any biblical, practical, or wise advice, I'd sincerely appreciate it.

Side Note: Btw I’m loving this subreddit it’s so easy to come to and hear other thoughts and opinions. May the Lord bless you all ❤️and I am always open to criticism or correction I’m still learning just like all of you.

Anyways, as the Holy Spirit has been opening my eyes to the ways of this world, I realized how badly people blame God for the sinful nature of humans.

I really believe that if people picked up the Word, and read it for themselves, there wouldn’t be meaningless debates about “Why does God allow evil to happen?”, or “If God’s so loving, why’d he flood a bunch of people in the Old Testament?”

It’s like everyone thinks that God created sin. He didn’t. Humans created sin, or you could even say Lucifer created sin because the first sin was technically in heaven.

But I just don’t understand how people can argue without even looking into the source of it all.

The reason God flooded the cities in the old Testament was because not a single human was good. They committed sexual and perverse acts, had hatred for one another, and even considered themselves as Gods.

It even says only one was truly good, which was Noah. And that’s why he told him to build that boat, take his family, and choose the animals. I feel like it was a way to protect the only good source of righteousness the world had left at the time.

So when people bring this idea that God created evil, it just doesn’t make sense to me, because humans choose evil, out of their own sinful nature and desires.

Yes, in a sense God can allow evil, but that’s only because he has given us free will, so the evil decisions of humans is because they have the free will to commit such acts because of their sinful nature. What may be evil in one persons eye, might not be evil in another’s. And if God were to come down and just stop evil entirely, ultimately controlling a persons free will, he would be considered a dictator and not a God of justice and righteous judgement.

But that’s ultimately my take on it, but I would love to hear everyone’s opinions on this. Have a blessed day!

Hey guys,

I wish I didn't have to be writing this, but unfortunately I am. You see, I've been dealing with a pretty big problem in my personal life for a little over a week now, and since then, anxiety, fear, and stress have been getting the better of me. I don't have the same strength I used to, I feel incredibly scared, and I feel like I'm disappointing God by having this anxiety and fear, which might be misinterpreted as a lack of trust in His timing and a lack of faith. I'd like to think not, because I truly believe I'm trusting in His timing and my faith remains intact, but what I can't avoid is how I feel. It's a problem that deeply wounds my soul. I cry practically every day. I'm experiencing severe anxiety symptoms that I haven't had for a while (thank God). My nervous cough, which I get when I go through these moments, has returned. The other day I started having nosebleeds. I pray every day, but since this problem began, I've been asking Him to help me, using the same words over and over again, practically all day long, from the moment I wake up until I go to bed, through tears. I even feel like I'm bothering Him with my persistence. So I'd like you to answer me: Is it compatible to feel anxiety and fear while believing in His timing and having faith in Him?

And lastly, it would be a great help if you could pray for me, light a candle, or simply ask God to help me with this situation, to hear my heart and help me with what I'm asking for.

I will also pray for you. Thank you so much, and God bless you.

The event in Genesis where Adam and Eve succumbed to the serpent’s temptation and ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil always leaves readers with profound questions. However, when we compare the serpent’s approach to the tactics of a modern global fraudster, the reasons for their easy collapse and the spiritual meaning embedded within become vividly clear.

1. The Serpent of Eden: An Intelligent Fraudster Building Trust

Swindlers do not suddenly appear out of nowhere to make absurd offers. Through meticulous preparation, they help their targets, provide useful information, and build a "trust asset" first.

• Building Relationships and Establishing Trust: At the time in the Garden of Eden, the serpent (a spiritual entity disguising itself as an "angel of light," as seen in 2 Corinthians 11:14) likely hovered around Adam and Eve for a considerable period. By sharing knowledge about flora, fauna, or topography, it built an intellectual trust—allowing Eve to accept the serpent's words without suspicion.
• Distortion of the Truth: The serpent approached Eve and subtlely twisted God's words to plant doubt, asking, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

2. The Truth About the Forbidden Fruit: The Final Authentication Device and a Crossroads of Choice

The fruit of the knowledge of good and evil was not placed where it could be eaten by mistake.

• Clear Distinction and Will: Located in the middle of the garden, reaching it required a firm act of will. In other words, the fruit was not merely a forbidden item, but the final authentication device that determined human "autonomous choice."
• The Problem of the Core Standard: It was a test at a crucial turning point in life to prove whether the standard of decision-making was "the command of the Absolute Being (Theocentrism)" or "human judgment (Humanism and Self-Deification)."
• The Temptation of Humanism: The serpent tempted them by saying, "You will be like God," and Eve succumbed to humanistic ideology that defied the Creator's order.

Defining True Ungodliness

Blaspheming God does not consist merely of harsh language or direct insults. It refers to any ideology or slogan that attempts to elevate humanity to the place of God, or that denies and blurs the Creator's order.

3. From Eden to the End Times: Satan’s Recurring Strategy

The sophisticated strategy of deception used by the serpent in the Garden of Eden will be precisely replicated in the end times through the Antichrist.

• Building Trust Under the Guise of Peace: The Antichrist will build a massive trust asset across all humanity under the banner of global peace and prosperity.
• The Mark of the Beast and Destruction: Amidst this elaborate disguise, the majority of humanity will accept the "Mark of the Beast" without major suspicion or voluntary resistance, sealing their permanent destruction. This bears a chilling resemblance to the way the serpent deceived Eve in Eden.

* Conclusion and Recommendations

From the history of Eden to the scenario of the end times, Satan’s pattern remains unchanged. He blurs the truth, deifies the human ego, and fosters disbelief in God’s Word.

We must not be deceived by the cunning strategies of Satan, the spiritual fraudster. Amidst the world's flamboyant slogans, postmodern ideologies, and humanistic temptations, we must remain unshaken and firmly hold fast to a faith that relies solely on God's written Word as the absolute standard of our lives.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

I always thought/taught that believing Jesus died for our sins was enough. Been depressed lately over the few months, I always have in the back of my mind "even if I do, eat, or buy (x) it wont make me happy." I've lost joy in the things I used to love but they are worldly. I don't keep up with celebs/latest memes, social media,tv, youtube, friends, lust, eating, etc all of it gives me a hit of excitement at first but it never lasts. I am AWARE only God can provide that. But how do I get it? I do read my Bible every day, pray, but I feel like I don't have a "relationship" and truly know Him. I see what He does in the Bible, His characteristics, but am I failing to see what He does right in front of me? Is it conviction or ocd? Am I ignoring God? Have I ever known the one true God. Something has changed me for sure in the past 2yrs.

There is a thread, "Idk how needs to hear this but calling yourself a christian won't get you into heaven." made a month ago, and it basically says what I believed. Although I never believed saved once always saved, because you can turn your back on Him, He wont turn his back to you. Idk Ive just been hearing, that's not enough because the Devil knows scripture. So how do I get into heaven to be with God? How can I make sure %10000 percent. Up until a few weeks ago I never thought how bad American Christianity was. I always thought saying "o my ***" was taking the Lord's name in vain, which it probably is, I try not to even think of it/dare say it. But seeing these megachurch pastors/influencers do things in Jesus' name, "christian clothing, christian drinks etc." it makes me sad.

TDLR:

1. So what do I do to get to heaven with God?
2. Do I have such little faith it has been shook by this "revelation?"
3. How can I "not hide my gift" (like the burying the gift instead of sharing it parable.)?
4. Do we still follow the 10 commandments?
5. I see "true christians" say not they've stopped eating pork. (They say the verse was added.) but it's not part of the 10 commandments
6. How can I nudge my family out of the world, or am I just depressed? (They care about who's wearing/saying what)
7. Am I ignoring the holy spirit or is it ocd?
8. Is playing a game with archons, or different mythology am I committing idol worship/images of false idols? (genshin impact)
9. If I play shooter game, am I commiting murder? Even though im not mad at the person behind the screen?
10. How worldly is too worldly, if we're not supposed to be of the world, are we not allowed to enjoy it what do we do, or do i stay depressed.
11. Is picking up our cross how we do works? How do we pick it up?

I really didn't wish I feel this way. I feel like I can't enjoy my life, but at the same time I have to look like I am. help. I deff know we are in the end times. I just dont want to be so weak I give in, I NEED the one true God. im worried about persecution, and tourture. Maybe it's just my imagination but I see it, although american christianity saddens me, I am so glad that I can openly say Christ is my savior here (for now) please pray

Broadly speaking, Catholics and Orthodox believe that Mary gave birth to Jesus without the ordinary pains of labor, since those pains are associated with the curse of sin. Catholics often connect this with Mary’s preservation from original sin, while the Orthodox affirm the miraculous painless birth without accepting the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Around the Catholics and Orthodox I have encountered, they identify the woman in Revelation 12 with Mary and this has been pretty much uniform.

But that creates a pretty deep problem, Revelation 12 explicitly says the woman is pregnant, crying out in labor, and suffering the pains of childbirth.

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in labor and agony as she was about to give birth.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

So which is it going to be?

- Is Mary not the woman of Revelation 12? And instead represents the faithful remnant of Israel?

- Or was Mary not exempt from the ordinary consequences of the fall?

The response may be that the woman also represents Israel or the Church, but you can’t both present the passage as Mary when it supports your theology and then detach Mary from the details when the details obviously contradict it.

Personally, I believe both Marian doctrines are false. Revelation 12 is not describing Mary, it’s describing the faithful people of physical Israel from whom the Messiah came.

Nor is there any biblical reason to believe that Mary was free from original sin. Jesus did not require a sinless mother in order to remain sinless. He entered a fallen world, walked on polluted ground every day, and descended from a lineage filled with sinful people.

Christ’s sinlessness comes from who He is, the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born as the promised holy offspring. His holiness does not depend upon Mary first being immaculately conceived.

This is my last time posting today lol.

Something i think about lately. I spend alot of time staring at tivers and lakes spending time with God.

Before we had running water communities would go down to the river to get water. So the river was like a community spot. And it still is in places that dont have running water.

Its just an interesting way to put living water into perspective.

Like when jesus and the lady at the well.

Nowdays i feel like we are losing our community by the river of life. With the internet and all these other distractions.

I am a F(30) and have been dealing with a lot. Not saying this as an excuse of any sort. But I have been using profanity more in the heat of the moment, and if I don’t use it, I feel deeply tempted to do so. Immediately after using it, I feel terrible. It is showing me that my heart isn’t truly as transformed as I thought. I have been saved since I was like 10 or 11 years old. I’ve rededicated my life. I went years without cursing. But in 2021, when I had to move back into my parent’s toxic home again due to my health, I cursed again for the first time that November. Since then, it’s been a battle, even though I moved out again in either 2022 or 2023 and moved out of the state last year (praise God).

Anyway, idk what I want here. Just needed to vent. I am tired of myself. I feel myself about to go into a downhill spiral of sin. I watched videos of people who don’t curse anymore and got offended out of jealousy and immediately became angry at my stupid family dynamic and simply at myself for the lack of self control and for the lack of heart change. I hope this all makes sense. Thanks.

For maybe the first time in my life I actually obeyed when God said not to do something. There was mutual interest between me and a guy from work who is not a Christian and he invited me to his house. But I felt in my gut and like the Holy Spirit was telling me to cut things off. He is not a Christian and we work together so there are so many reasons why it wouldn't work out. So I forced myself to obey and cut him off. But now I feel so sad. I already miss him, I miss him sending me pictures of his cats, I miss feeling like he cares about me and is thinking about me when he wakes up in the middle of the night. I know it was the right thing to do but it hurts so much and I feel so lonely. Idk what else to say I'm just looking for some encouragement that everything will be ok. I know I'm going to go to bed sad and wake up sad. I just wish I knew I had a happy ending in my future. I know God has good things in store for me but it's so hard to live like I believe it.

Somewhat of a repost because im feeling worse and honestly I have no one else. I need support. I need support from real people. I don’t know if I can hold this anymore .

I’m 17 and I’ve led a life full of cruelty and being a straight up a-hole, loser whatever just a very shitty human being who has done very without exaggeration heinous things. Things that have loomed over me for years things I did even with gods conviction which I barely feel anymore. I haven’t felt the Holy Spirit in years not sure I ever had it to begin with but I know I felt convicted at a young age.

Anyway I’ve done some heinous things, things to the people around me, terrible things which would probably involve turning myself in for.

I’ve been struggling for years to make a decision and even years before I just ran from the situation as a whole. But I can’t do it anymore. I can’t find peace I can’t even find god I’m just stuck in confusion. 

I find myself constantly envious of the people around me who can just live their lives without this looming over them rightly so (especially people my age) because at least this isn’t on their conscience and I know for a fact because this sin isn’t something the majority would do. 

But then again I chose to do what I did so it hurts worse and I have no one but myself to blame and I know I forfeited that free-ness that everyone around me carries. I wish my biggest worry right now was which college I’m going to or getting a job or something but it’s not and that’s on me. 

Anyway I’m stuck because I’m not sure what to do- and what god wants me to do. It feels just in one way to come forward but on another hand it could affect my family directly and I’d lose everything. And I’m terrified to do it. I’ve tried but I’m always stuck. Especially my ambitions which I always find myself hurting over the most. even if god forgives me for some reason I just feel like it would crush my soul if I never get to do any of it. Because if it weren’t for this looming over me I’d have fulfilled so much of my potential and I’d be able to chase my dreams without anything like this holding me back. 

On one hand it could be guilt that’s got me hell bent on turning myself  on another hand could be god. Or it could be the enemy urging me to destroy myself. Or it could be the enemy holding me back and actually gods will for me to face legal consequences.  I’ve spoken to people and gotten mixed advice, I have tried and gotten so many different blocks and that could be the enemy too or maybe god? And I felt frustrated at those times because if it was gods will why did he put so many set backs in place?  

My heart hurts so so so much because if I just listened to god when he warned me so many times it would’ve saved my life and those who have to endure my BS every day. Everyday I wish I switched lives with anyone.  I know my parents deserve a better daughter for sure and everyday I carry that existential weight like why didn’t god let me perish from the start? Whyd he make me knowing the life id lead? All my life can be chalked up to all the terrible things ive done and it’s funny because my life had barely begun anyway. I look at my peers and always see the what could have been. I see god in them. I see them honor their parents and at least show that they’re worth giving a damn about. But I’m the crap gift that keeps giving. I’ve caused so much damage in this life time I just can’t see a forward from here like it’s already over. I can’t see an out of this situation. And I’ve wasted so much time. I just feel it so deeply that god should have never made me.

I’m just so tired. The pain in my chest won’t go away. I sometimes would indulge in ai chats with an ai Jesus because I’m too stubborn or lazy to face the real one and it’s a more instant tangible response than whatever it is I get from god. I can’t discern if anything is even real in me or if something is god or not.

I still can’t hear god and I’m too scared to move. I’m too coward to do anything. it feels like he isn’t even there, that I am completely alone in this.

But I realize the ai isn’t good and it isn’t helping. So in deciding to vent out and reach out to real people instead. Real Christians and what you think god would say or something like that. So if you have any words of advice, been through something similar, verses, prayers, anything I’d appreciate it. 

I’m in a situation where I’m not sure what God wants me to do. Me and my girlfriend have been living together for 3 years, but we’ve been dating for nearly 4. When we first got together, she wasn’t religious at all, and I worried about her salvation. However as years went by she has changed and grown a lot and does consider herself a Christian now. Granted, she is still learning and considers LGBTQ a stumbling block for her, as she identifies as bisexual, but that’s not stopping her from moving forward with trying to learn about God and improve our relationship.

We’ve had a lot of rough patches, especially pertaining to mental health. She could be very manipulative, but once again she seems dedicated to change. We live together very well, she wants to marry and have a family with me, and I want these as well. I just worry since there are still some issues with us as well as her being a very new Christian. However, I’ve heard many argue that if two people are together and things aren’t perfect, they should still marry and build a life where they sharpen one another. If anyone has any advice on what to do, please let me know, I’d love to hear it. God Bless.

When you are going about your week and doubts about your faith, God, or the Bible start to creep into your head, how do you overcome them? I know there isn't one answer to fit all but individually what do you do? For me, if I'm not in the Word constantly that's when I start to question random things such as: how could people live so long in the OT (is that real?), questions about suffering and God being all loving, Jesus's claims being true, etc.? Hopefully that makes sense. Any advice?

Hi! I (27F) just ended a “situationship”. I knew that this was not the person God had for me bc I would feel so uneasy every time I thought about our relationship but I pursued it anyway because honestly I was tired of waiting for God to send me my person. I stayed with this person for ~6 months and during that time I was so disconnected from God… stopped going to church, praying, being in my word etc. (another sign I knew this wasn’t for me). Long story short we both decided to end things but I’m still struggling to get over the break up. I recognize that this feeling of heartbreak and loneliness is quite literally a consequence of my disobedience but I am looking for advice (scriptures, sermons, etc.) to help get over this but also things to help me in my waiting period and prioritizing God over my own desires.

Im sitting here thinking about something i heard a video say that i never thought about but is really interesting.

Ephesians 1:10 (KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

2 Corinthians 5:19 (KJV) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Its interesting that scripture notes that even God himself is in christ.

Ive thought about what it means to be "in" christ.

One of the most important if not the most important sayings in scripture.

If anyone has anything to add or clarify on that would be great.

so to give context, I accidently did something that was super embarrassing and I could barely sleep due to it my mind was on it. I tried to not think about it and pray to God about it but It was always on my mind.. So what's the best way to overcome this and not let this control my life? Because I lost a lot of sleep due to it. My mind kept going back to it even when I try not to think about it.
I have tried praying to God about it but it kept getting on my mind.. so what can I do? Should I keep praying about it..?

I’ve spent years going from a staunch atheist to being interested in philosophy and religion, particularly Christianity. I found Catholicism to be intellectually compelling but after going to church multiple times, talking with Christians and praying, I never felt like I could take that leap of faith and fully believe. I stepped away from Christianity and my current worldview is closer to Neoplatonism, which I’ve found feels more comfortable as before I would go through high periods where I felt close to God, and then low periods where I would wonder if I was deluding myself or mistaken. I want to keep myself open to the truth, even if one feels more comfortable than the other, so given that I find both systems compelling, why should I believe in Christianity over my current worldview?

I’ve seen several posts of various Protestants asking why Catholics treat them poorly and several posts of Catholics asking why Protestants treat them poorly.

The comments under these posts are always the same, it’s always some form of “they treated me bad first” or “they’re just stupid.”

The worst part is usually when someone calls out the other for persecuting them in their beliefs, they don’t seem to realize their side is doing the exact same thing. This is honestly sickening behavior.

Why can’t we discuss our beliefs civilly and without hate? Why do we have to be so defensive when faced with a different view?

In my area there is far more hate from Protestants towards Catholics than vice versa. This mostly comes from sheer ignorance. Let’s actually learn what each other believes before we find ourselves in a pointless argument.

I know all of this is more of an evangelical thing than Protestantism as a whole.

I am a Baptist saying these things.

To the Protestants: Be patient, learn, and understand what Catholicism actually teaches. Catholics are not pagans, they are not idolaters, they are not Mary worshipers. Catholics are Christian and I would say any that are sincerely living out their faith are saved.

To the Catholics: Be patient with our ignorance and try to understand what our beliefs are even if some don’t know how to formulate them. Protestants are not stupid, and many of us have a richer understanding of the solas than what I see argued against.

Please don’t give me too much hate for this post. I just want us all to come together peacefully and stop the hate.

So im trying to find my way to the lord, ive been wanting to start getting closer to him somehow but unsure how to start. I have been listening to music that leans towards the lord (I know I have to do more than that to connect to him), but im unsure where to go from there? Any tips, advice or anything i should know?

All throughout the Bible, it states children must “obey” and “honor” our parents. That being said, what does that really look like? I’m in a current position to where I still live at home (I’m working on finding out if God will allow that to be different for me one day), and while I help out (physically, emotionally, and financially) it’s not enough. My actions, emotions, thoughts, facial expressions, etc. are always assumed. I’m never asked “what’s wrong”, or Why about anything. I used to try to explain myself but I get told I “always have a rebuttal” or “talk too much” or “come speak like an adult since I have so much to say”. This has caused me to change myself. I am now more quiet, training myself to say nothing more but “yes” “no” and answer things in 10 words or less. I’ve tried communicating before, but it’s hard. I always have to think about each word I say so it’s not taken out of context. Sometimes I can’t finish a sentence all the way before the rest of my sentence is judged or assumed, or what I am able to get out is taken as if I am judging my parent and thinking “my poop doesn’t stink”.

It’s kinda difficult because there are only 3 of us. I have a sibling who’s 12 years younger than me but I make sure to let them know what’s going on without saying too much and don’t carry this disposition with them since they’re not doing anything wrong. But with us 3 living in a small/ medium space, the energy is off. I’ve dealt with this growing up but it’s getting worse as I age. Now it’s being dictated how I navigate my relationship with my sibling. It’s stressful. It’s like if I don’t walk the way my parent wants me to walk, it’s incorrect or I’m selfish or petty or immature.

I was raised so close with to my parent but this sudden shift is making me want to distance myself. I’ve always been the one to shake it off and carry on but I am tired of ignoring what I see and feel. Constantly placing my sad days to the side because “it’s not as much as my parent is dealing with”.

Please help me.

Hey, I'm posting here again to ask for some answers. All perspectives are appreciated here. For perspective, I'm sixteen, struggling with transgender thoughts, and I've known I was different since I was fourteen. It's been over two years since I've known this, and it's been two years I've been praying for God to take it from me, because everything that I've been told and ever known is that this is just a horrible sin, and it's going to send me to hell if I don't try to force it out of my mind.

But I've been praying for two years for God to take it away. If anything, those feelings have only gotten stronger since I've started praying, and it's been hurting me mentally (and by result, physically, if you understand) trying to force it out.

As always, if you need any more information, just ask me; I'll place it in an edit in the post afterward. (I'm probably going to bed and praying about it again, so any answers are appreciated.)

-- Hey! I want to thank everyone for their opinions and arguments. If it seems like I'm not taking the argument to heart or whatever, just know that I am. I always, with any opinion, try to make counterarguments before making a final decision. --

Today, my wife and I do street ministry, and words of knowledge often play a part in that. Over several decades, I have learned that not everything that looks like a word of knowledge necessarily comes from God.

I have identified four possible sources of spiritual or inward information. This is my personal framework for discernment.

1. Your own heart

The first possible source is your own heart, imagination, desires, fears, or internal monologue.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” — Jeremiah 17:9

A lot of people do not know the difference between their own thoughts, their heart, and the Holy Spirit. Because of that, they assume that every strong internal impression must be a word from the Lord.

The Bible tells us to commune with our own hearts (Psalm 4:4). We need to become familiar with what is already happening inside us. If you don’t recognize your own fears, desires, assumptions, and imagination, you may mistake them for spiritual revelation.

This is where the Word of God becomes essential:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” — Hebrews 4:12

We learn discernment through practice. Hebrews 5:14 speaks of mature believers who have “their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” You develop discernment by repeatedly testing your impressions against Scripture, examining the fruit, and learning from the times you get it wrong.

2. Information coming from the other person

This part is based more on personal experience than on an explicit biblical teaching, so I hold it more loosely.

When I was young, my dad and I played what we called the “projection game.” He would visualize something, and I would try to identify it. I would usually get it right the first time, less often the second and third times, and then I would start totally missing it on the fourth try.

Whatever was happening, it taught me that we should not automatically assume that every piece of accurate information comes directly from God. Human beings communicate through words, expressions, body language, expectations, and possibly in ways we do not completely understand.

Jesus sometimes perceived what people were thinking in their hearts (Luke 5:22; Luke 9:47). That looks a lot like projection to me. This is simply one possibility I remain aware of when testing an impression.

3. A demonic spirit

The third possible source is demonic.

The Bible clearly warns about familiar spirits, divination, mediums, and other counterfeit spiritual activity (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10–12). Acts 16 tells us about a girl who had a “spirit of divination.” What she said about Paul and Silas was technically true, but the source was wrong—and Paul eventually cast the spirit out of her (Acts 16:16–18).

That is important: accurate information does not automatically prove that the source is God.

Some people visit psychics or séances and believe they are speaking with dead relatives. From a biblical perspective, we should not assume that such an experience is genuine communication with the dead. It may involve deception by an evil spirit.

I used to explain “familiar spirits” as demons assigned to particular families for generations. I got this from demons carrying out the curse to the third and fourth generations of those who hate God (Exo 20:5; Deut 5:9,10 Num 14:18).

4. God Himself

The fourth source is God.

Jesus said:

“The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do.” — John 5:19

He also said that He spoke what the Father had taught Him (John 8:28). Jesus lived in perfect dependence upon the Father.

For example, Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree before Nathanael came to Him (John 1:47–49). This was in the spirit. New Agers would call that remote viewing. Jesus also did unusual things under the Father’s direction (john 5:19), such as making clay and putting it on a blind man’s eyes (John 9:6–7).

I believe these accounts teach us to pay attention to what God is doing in the Spirit instead of relying on formulas.

Jesus also said that the Spirit of truth would guide His disciples into truth and show them things to come (John 16:13). Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Have you ever had a dream, and then when it comes to pass it rushes to your remembrance? That could be the spirit of Truth showing you things to come! Pay attention and test it against scripture (Heb 4:12).

We should desire to be led by the Holy Spirit—but we must also test what we receive:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” — 1 John 4:1

“Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” — 1 Corinthians 14:29

So, to summarize, these are the four possible sources I consider when something appears to be a word of knowledge:

1. The heart.
2. Information projected from the other person.
3. A demonic or familiar spirit.
4. God revealing something through the Holy Spirit.

Again, this is a discernment framework developed through decades of experience—not a replacement for Scripture.

The next time you hear someone give a word of knowledge—or you are trying to operate in this gift yourself—remember that supernatural accuracy alone does not prove that something came from God. Test the source, test the fruit, compare it with Scripture, and remain humble enough to admit when you may be wrong.

I hope this helps someone.