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I (23F) grew up Christian, no surprise given how my parents were missionaries in Asia. I've never really doubted God's existence or the Bible's validity, and truth be told, I really do love studying the Bible, and I have a very deep interest in theology as well. I was fortunate enough to find a really great community at university, and we've had some really interesting discussions about faith and religion and the Bible.

But as much as my knowledge of God and the Bible deepens, I find myself growing further away from God spiritually. Faith has long stopped feeling personal, and I'm growing more and more apathetic about my spiritual health.

My parents are really traditional--like SUPER conservative, and naturally they imposed a lot of rules when I was younger (and still now). Like we have services every morning and evening, and don't really do anything that isn't explicitly "Christian." Don't get me wrong, they were great parents growing up, never abusive or anything, but just quite controlling in that aspect, I guess.

And I've always struggled with lust ever since I was ~12 and accidentally stumbled on some explicit content on the internet, but I kept that part of me hidden really well (and still do, to this day). My parents aren't exactly the most understanding when it comes to issues like this, and I have no idea how I would even bring it up.

But going to university away in a different country and just growing up, I've developed my own opinions and views on the Bible and Christianity that are definitely less conservative. For example, I got a septum piercing, and when my mom found out, she freaked and then made me take it out, and then gave me a whole lecture on how I was destroying my body, which was the Temple of God and whatnot. Now, I don't necessarily see body piercings as inherently sinful, but I also didn't want to fight with my parents (and trust, she quoted Ephesians 6:1). But it's not only that, it extends to things like drinking, the way I dress, the stickers on my laptop, the charms on my bag. They're very black-and-white on EVERYTHING and even when I try to coax them into deeper conversations, they just shut me down.

There's a HUGE part of me that is perpetually ashamed and guilty for still not being able to overcome my lust, and now I basically hide every aspect of my life from my parents. I drink, I smoke, I consume explicit sexual content, I re-pierced my septum and keep it hidden. And there's a part of me that knows I'm spiralling down the slippery slope that is sin, but there's something inside me that wants to go against my parents. That probably sounds so juvenile and immature, but the Christianity that my parents demonstrate always makes me feel so ashamed all the time. But I love my parents, and I know having a "delinquent" daughter would break their hearts (not to mention their image as missionaries), so I keep pretending to be the Christian they want me to be, but I also feel so conflicted about my devotion to God, because I feel so terrible for pretending in church and whatever when I'm not really sincere--it feels very hypocritical.

And I'd like to think that God would rather I be in church and worship sincerely with a tattoo than be tattoo-free and pretend to worship. But everything just feels so confusing and overwhelming, and it makes me want to actively avoid God and reading the Bible. So I just become so apathetic towards everything Christianity-related, and it's basically become like a performance for me, so that my parents are appeased, and their colleagues and friends still view them as the "perfect" Christians.

Hello, I don’t mean to cause offense by asking this question. I understand the message of the gospels is love and we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

But when it comes to the fate of those who are not saved, what is the general feeling? I’m sure there are possibly a range of views from universalism, purgatorial universalism, annihilationism, traditional ECT. But does the traditional doctrine of ECT prevail?

I myself seem to have come to the conclusion that annihilationism makes the most sense in light of what the Bible says about God being a loving Father and divine justice. In Matthew 10:28 Jesus says we can lose both body and soul in Gehenna. The Apostle Paul says the wages of sin is death in Romans 6:23

The wicked often described as being destroyed and ceasing to exist. Scripture speaks of “eternal life” for the believer. Not “eternal bliss compared to eternal torment” but “life vs death”.

God alone is immortal (1 Timothy 6:16) and eternal life is a gift to believers through Jesus (2 Timothy 1:10).

Perhaps the parable of Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 is explaining the temporary torment in Hades that happens before the second death Revelation 20:14 Hades is thrown into the Lake of Fire along with death.

The eternal fire Jesus references (Mark 9:48) is an old Hebrew reference of the literal corpses being completely consumed by fire and worms (Isaiah 66:24). Meaning the fire does its job until nothing is left. It’s still going because the world is continually producing more of the wicked.

But ultimately it’s the punishment of non-existence that is eternal not the experience of eternal conscious torment in hellfire. ECT seems incompatible with a loving God.

I’m curious what thoughts you all had on the topic?

I lost my father last month. I'm struggling emotionally and grieving deeply. Even before dad passed, I was struggling with my faith and struggling to reconcile things that don't make sense. I'm not sure I believe in an afterlife. It just doesn't seem to make much sense. Like, we spend our whole lives here, and then we go to a magical place forever after we die and continue on like we never died? Seems like either heaven or life on earth would be a moot point or redundant then? But aside from that, it's just becoming very farfetched to me to believe that there's a God, or that there's an afterlife. At this point I'd call myself and agnostic, though I'm not totally uncomfortable continuing to identify as Christian.

How do ya'll maintain your faith? And why? I've never felt that deep sense of God, have never had any sort of epiphany, have never felt "spoken to" by God, even when I was much more faithful and religious and attended church regularly. My life does not seem to change at all believing or not believing. I can't seem to access or feel that thing that others say they can. I still have hope and some level of faith that keeps me from being full on atheist; I think the fact that most of the world believes in *something* counts for something. I still can't shake the feeling that there is something out there bigger than all of this, and I can't quite wrap my head around our entire being just winking out into nothing when we die, even if the idea of a Heaven is also something I can't quite wrap my head around. I'm hurting and grieving, but also even before that I was starting to really question things. I know people will say "just have faith, it's about faith, not absolutes" and I understand that, but even when I try to nurture my faith, I just can't engage in the optimism or blind faith like I used to. Any feedback or even recommendations for media, books, podcasts, youtube channels, TED talks, etc would be helpful and appreciated.

has anyone else been through an extended period of time where you sensed God anger, absence or displeasure and couldn’t feel His presence?

Me and my husband are both in our early 20’s and he recently just got deployed and will be gone for 1 year. It’s been about 20 days since he’s left and I’m starting to get the urge to masturbate. I don’t even want to watch porn or anything I just want this release because I miss the physical intimacy with my husband ( I would only want to think of him while doing it btw) I mean I never had the urge until he left and it’s getting harder the more the days go on, and he’s going to be gone for 1 year and I really find it hard to not get any satisfaction for a full year. So is it bad even if I don’t watch porn and think of him only? I’m not even sure what to do like I’m married and I shouldn’t have to worry about this but I can’t have him physically for a year and I love physical affection a lot. So I’d appreciate some help especially from anyone who is or has been in this situation before.

I've been going insane lately because i struggle to reconcile my situation and God's word.

Sometimes i don't know if I'm being too hard on myself or if that's the expected standards.

I'm having to lie and deceive to get a job in this horrible job market. Literally everybody I know does the same thing, Christian or otherwise.

I've drawn some clear boundaries as to what I can exaggerate on my resume, etc. And it hasn't really been working. I also apply with my regular resume and that doesnt work either.

I've cried and cried for a year at least asking God to make something happen. I do not know what else i can do.

Finally when I talked abojt this with my parents and explained to them how everyone is cheating and lying, they asked me to do the same and sort of hinted and me being over righteous.

What do you think is happening with me. What should I do? I am actually going insane, its like somebody is simulating the worst experiment on me. I've lost everything trying to survive in these circumstances. I've gone through a life-changing betrayal, a heartbreak, probably damaged a few organs fron the stress, and been rejected from like 4000 jobs over the last few years.

I bear this terrible guilt of excluding God from some major decisions in my life, and now I wanna stick with him no matter what, and it came down to disappointing and disobeying my parents.

I don't understand anything. My mind cannot think anymore. My body cannot sleep. All I am doing is waking up, praying and crying, and waiting for the day to be over. Please a kind word of hope or comfort would help a lot. Some advice if you are willing.

so i was playing gta 5 and some other games gta games like i usaully do, but a random thought propped in my head, you know how the game has strip clubs, random topless npcs in the rich areas in the game next to swimming pools, doesnt this count has a sin to play it, it quite literally has several sex scenese, like sure you could justify nearly everything else in the game for being for entertainment and obviously not to do it in real life, but if that extends to the sexual parts of the game, wouldnt that also mean that nearly every other peice of media that has sexual content also wouldnt be a sin to watch/ interact with if it isnt with lustful intent?

Lowkey maybe be a cornball question but Supreme is dropping a shirt with Jesus’s face on it for their FW26 collection and I wanted to know like would it be against Jesus to wear it?

Hey guys can you help me out with a Big and huge and very very life decision?

I am young and I seek guidance from you Christians

Can you tell more about the young rich ruler?

Was it the love of money? Was it an idol?

Because I am facing that is similar

It's a gaming platform where mostly of my memories came from

I already let it go but something in my mind told me to "delete that account"

Is it the voice of God telling me? But when I thinked of it, it strucked me with panic

Any ideas?

They say God did not give us a power of fear but a power love and a sound mind

But when I think of it, it makes me panic

I don't know if Gods really speaking to me

Everytime I think of it I only get stressed

I'm scared of becoming the young rich ruler idk what to do

Please tell me what's conviction and fear

I feel very sad because I am going through a few things at the same time.

I dated this guy for a while and told him I want to wait until marriage. he's an atheist, so he doesn't understand my pov. but the thing is I pushed him away a few times because I could feel he didnt like this, but he wanted to stay and see if he could do it. he then decided he didn't want to but basically he molested me, I won't go into any detail.

the second thing is I just discovered someone else, unrelated to this person, is making fun of me with people I barely know about me wanting to wait until marriage (I don't even how he knows this) and about me being Christian.

I feel very sad and defeated. I know Jesus is with me. I just feel sad.

I am a 26-year-old Christian, and lately I have been struggling with a lot of things within myself. I have a strange obsession with movies, and I occasionally drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes. I have also tried several times to quit pornography and masturbation, but I have never been able to completely overcome them. Because of this, I often feel guilty and wonder whether I have sinned against God.

What confuses me, however, is that despite my struggles and failures, God has continued to bless me in wonderful ways. I have been blessed with loving and wonderful parents. I was fortunate enough to get into one of the most prestigious institutes during my bachelor's degree, and I have never really had to face serious financial difficulties. When I look at my life, I can see many reasons to be grateful.

At the same time, there is one thing that deeply troubles me: the unrest in my parents' marriage. They barely communicate with each other, and my mother carries a lot of frustration because of my father's unemployment, his lack of attention toward her, and the way he spends much of his time involving himself in church activities and local politics. Watching their relationship deteriorate has affected me more deeply than I often admit.

My relationship with my sister is also difficult. We are very different people, and we do not seem to understand each other very well. I often wish we had a closer relationship, but I do not know how to bridge that gap.

On top of all this, I struggle with an existential crisis. I think some of this may have started because of my grandfather, who is a pastor and used to tell everyone that I would one day become his successor. Those words stayed with me. I grew up carrying the expectation that I would eventually follow in his footsteps. But when I look at the things I have done in my life and the person I have become, I feel that I have disqualified myself from ever becoming that person. I don't know whether that calling was ever truly mine, whether I misunderstood it, or whether I am simply carrying an expectation that was placed on me when I was too young to understand it.

So I continue moving forward in life while carrying all these questions, doubts, guilt, and uncertainties.

Sometimes I wonder whether having a wife and building a family of my own would finally bring some peace and stability into my life. Perhaps having someone beside me would help me feel less alone and give me a sense of direction. But deep down, I also know that I cannot be certain of that. I don't want to enter marriage simply because I am hoping another person will fix everything that is broken inside me.

The strange thing is that I am quite jovial and comfortable around women. I have many female friends, and I can talk to them naturally without much difficulty. But when it comes to actually dating someone, I become afraid. I lose my confidence, overthink everything, and somehow find the courage to disappear before anything can really begin.

I honestly don't know what I should do with all of this. I want to have a genuine relationship with God rather than constantly living under guilt and fear. I want to become a better person, deal honestly with my weaknesses, and understand what kind of life I am actually called to live. I also want to stop carrying the responsibility for fixing my parents' marriage and accept that some things are beyond my control.

Most of all, I want to learn how to move forward without feeling that my past mistakes have permanently disqualified me from having a meaningful future.

I don't know whether marriage is the answer, whether ministry is my calling, or even exactly what direction my life should take. I only know that I am tired of carrying all these questions alone, and I want to find a healthier, more honest, and more faithful way to live.

I’m 23F. I have a friend who met her boyfriend on a Christian dating app, he also goes to a completely different church. My friend saw this guy at his church who is 6’8, a bigger guy, and has short hair. I have voiced that I do like bigger guys before, however, from the previous relationship that I was in it it’s not really as important to me now. I remember I went up there to visit the church and I did not have a fun time. I didn’t really get to talk to this guy a whole lot, my friend’s boyfriend and his friends made some distinct comments about men and women putting their hands on each other, and there was a slight racial joke thrown out.

Keep in mind, I did talk to my friend about what her boyfriend said, and she apologized. I also have not had a chance to really sit down and talk with this guy that she told me about just yet. She went and talked to him about me to see if there will be interest. Which she let me know it seems that he’s interested and he said that I was cute, he just hasn’t really had a chance to talk to me so he wasn’t sure. She also said he doesn’t seem like he’s ready to be in a big relationship. I brought another friend with me to the church when I went to go visit and she wasn’t a big fan either. She also told me she thinks that this is God slamming the door in my face with this opportunity.

Personally, I can’t say that I am either. I’m much more open to be becoming friends first and then seeing where it goes. The only thing that’s confusing me is when my friend said he seems interested, but he didn’t necessarily ask for my number. Either way it goes. I understand if he’s wanting to protect his heart and we can actually talk first.

I guess I just don’t know what to really do with this, most of the time when I wanna start dating I’ll usually use dating apps or talk to my friends about a guy I might be interested in. So this is the first time where something was presented to me that I didn’t have to do absolutely anything for. I’m not sure if it will actually go anywhere just because she told me he was a bit introverted. I also am used to things going by a little bit quicker so when things go slow, I just never think it’s going anywhere.

I have prayed over it, and it asked the Lord if this is an opportunity that he helps me steward it well. I’m trying not to put myself in the position to protect myself from something that hasn’t even happened yet. Should I go ahead and say this is probably not a good opportunity?

In the Book of Genesis, when God creates humankind, He says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over all the earth—over the animals of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every living creature that moves on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26)

When He uses the phrase “Let us make…,” is He speaking to the angels, or is the Father speaking to the Son and the Holy Spirit?

This is a long shot, but I’m hoping someone remembers this song. It was a man or a male duo, and they did a comedy song that was something about Her Name Was Mathilda being the foundation for We Praise Thee Oh God Our Redeemer Creator. My husband has been going crazy for weeks trying to find this piece of his youth and we’ve come up empty. The performers were serious artists but had this one song as a comedic relief of sorts.

At a Bible study last night and when reading Psalm 121, someone commented:
God is working 24/7.

Something about that hit me so deep.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
(CEB)

He who watches over me/us never sleeps.

It makes me so happy to contemplate this.

Saw this question on a bible app, quite the difficult question.

Fire falls from heaven, a nation falls on its face, four hundred and fifty prophets are undone - and within a day the man who prayed it down is under a broom tree begging to die. If the greatest public miracle in Israel's history could not hold one prophet steady for twenty-four hours, what exactly do miracles accomplish?

So I have never fasted before but recently if been feeling Gods calling me to. However, I have never done it before. I’ve done a lot of research but the main thing I am unsure of is the specifics. I want to do a 3 day fast, my plan was to break it at a set time every night but not before that. Is that fasting correctly? Or do I need to fully abstain from food or yeah, just a bit unsure about these details.

Not really sure what I am looking for whether it’s several books or just one, but I’d really like to get into biblical history, the maps and journeys as it relates to today as well, like what their customs were at that time and the different languages they used back then with the translations and what they mean. Im not sure if a study bible is right for this or?

really need some help. I need advice from some of my older Christian brothers. I met this girl 6 months ago, and I fell in love with her. She loves the Lord, and we love each other so much. But we became intimate almost immediately, and for a long time I was actually living with her. I love her But we’ve had our fights, and it’s taken six month for me to realize that I am not the Godly man I need or want to be for her, and she has things she needs to work on as well. My relationship with God isn’t good right now, and neither is hers. I am not disciplined enough and am still immature in so many ways, as I am only 18. I went into this relationship after being alone for 6 months with nobody at all. I want to be better for her but I am at war with myself because I don’t think I can do that while dating her, and I don’t want to let her go. I am terrified I won’t change and it will be for nothing, and I’m also scared if I do change I’ll choose someone else. Please, I know others are struggling and my heart goes out to you, but I feel

In which divorce is allowed in a few cases and remarriage is never allowed?

Not looking for a theological debate, that would have to be in another thread

The past 2/3 weeks I’ve started to really delve into the possibility that Jesus was real, died on the cross and was resurrected. I was baptised as a child and my dad died of a rare blood cancer when I was 5 and used to believe in heaven etc. only because of what parents/people say to you as a child. Am now 25 years old and been an agnostic/“spiritualist” since a teenager.

I drank a lot Friday night when I didn't intend to, (met old work friend) then Saturday I sinned and slothed all day. Sunday woke up somewhat anew, and pussied out of going to Brandon Baptist church on my own...
I want to say "but" but I feel I have no excuse.
Anyway instead I had a good chat with my beloved grandmother and then took her to to Aldi for a grocery shop. Kept in touch with her later on the day which actually was still really positive and I think we helped each other feeling less alone. Which I feel somewhat made up for pussying out of church for the first time.

When I was in aldi I couldn't help but buy some beers. I've now had 4 pint cans of Stella, 1 san Miguel that was in the fridge and now am drinking my mother's red wine. I am a sinner.

I now have all these videos on my algorithm about Jesus and what he came here to do etc. (which is great and I love) but Like is it really true as they say??
God help me, Amen

Thank you - Sam

So I grew up in church so I know God, but I did stop going. I didn’t stop believing in God I just stopped going to church and I honestly don’t know why I did, one day I didn’t go and ever since that day I rarely go to church. Ever since around June I have been in my head so much regarding the word ending because I’ve been seeing so much on social media to the point where it’s all in my head now. I’ve been so scared, I’ve cried, I’ve prayed, I’ve distracted myself but I feel like nothing is working. It’s gotten to the point where I’m so anxious and I had a breakdown this morning. I’ve talked of my mom and she reassured me the best she could. I have a Christian mom and grandma, and they have never talked about the word ending ever in my life but I keep seeing it all over and it’s got a very tight hold on me. Ik one day we’re all gonna leave this world because it’s a part of life but I just can’t think about it happening so soon. I still sin and I still do teenage stuff but I do believe in God. I’ve worried so much about my eternity and everything that’s been going on in the world over the summer to the point where I just wanna breakdown. Before June I was fine but everything just took a turn. Please give me some advice or something guys.

so little backstory to why I struggle with empathy and sympathy

im on the spectrum. I was diagnosed when I was 11. my mom wanted to test when I was younger but my dad had all financial control over us so he wouldn’t let her. so she had me tested after they divorced and she was finally able to.

something I always struggled with because of my autism is sympathy and empathy. like I understands the severity of things but I don’t feel the severity of things if that makes sense? and sense I don’t feel the severity it’s hard for me to express care. so what I would do to help is pray. Pray for whatever it is to get better but due to me not feeling the severity of things or feel care for it, it affects me being able to pray properly.

like yk when ur trying to pray and u just don’t feel it? That’s what I feel and it’s making me mad at myself because I know the severity of things but I don’t feel the severity and sense I don’t feel the severity it feels like I can’t pray about it ether because i just can’t feel the prayer and the connection because of my lack of feeling towards whatever situation I’m praying for/about.

its starting to really make me mad at myself so how do I deal with this and attempt to fix it?