How Do I Know If YOU'RE Born Again?

[VociMike]

Also look for spiritual gifts, another clear sign of those that are born in the Spirit.
Look for fruits of the Spirit.
Often when someone becomes born again they can no longer use God’s name in vain(such as saying OMG)
Their tongues are tamed. No more foul language and such.
They get convicted over little things they used to do such as watching violence on TV.

What about non-Christians who behave like this? There are quite a few in this world.

 

[NonDenom]

Everyone’s conversion is different.

But there MUST be a change of some sort.
If there is no change you are not born again.

Hi All
When is (according to Catholic beliefs) a Catholic “Born Again”, Confirmation, Baptism, etc.
I do not ask this with an uncharitable intent, just wondering if there was a particular time or ceremony in the RCC when this occurred.

 

[davidv]

Hi All
When is (according to Catholic beliefs) a Catholic “Born Again”, Confirmation, Baptism, etc.
I do not ask this with an uncharitable intent, just wondering if there was a particular time or ceremony in the RCC when this occurred.

When a Catholic is baptised.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Hi All
When is (according to Catholic beliefs) a Catholic “Born Again”, Confirmation, Baptism, etc.
I do not ask this with an uncharitable intent, just wondering if there was a particular time or ceremony in the RCC when this occurred.

He is born again only in Baptism. Confirmation is annointing of oil. The name Christ means annointed one.

The Catechism states confirmation as:

1293 In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal.

Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy;103 it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds;104 and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength.

1294 Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off "the aroma of Christ."105

1295 By this anointing the confirmand receives the “mark,” the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object.106 Hence soldiers were marked with their leader’s seal and slaves with their master’s. A seal authenticates a juridical act or document and occasionally makes it secret.107

 

[Gamera]

Hi All
When is (according to Catholic beliefs) a Catholic “Born Again”, Confirmation, Baptism, etc.
I do not ask this with an uncharitable intent, just wondering if there was a particular time or ceremony in the RCC when this occurred.

Baptism. That’s when one is “born of water and Spirit.”

 

[Gamera]

Also look for spiritual gifts, another clear sign of those that are born in the Spirit.
Look for fruits of the Spirit.

Yes. Recalling, of course, that a person can demonstrate gifts of the Spirit yet not end up going to heaven. “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never know you; depart from me you evil-doers.’” Matt 7:22-23.

 

[FCEGM]

This question has come up in several contexts recently.

Given that God alone knows precisely who has been granted His grace and will persevere, how can we tell if someone else has been born again?

Are there any telltale signs?

Must we simply take someone’s word for it?

One such sign would be docility to Christ’s teaching through His Catholic Church: “He who hears you hears Me.”

 

[Teflon93]

I don’t know - I’ve known some awfully charitable atheists and agnostics, and some Christians who barely show evidence of such.

A good point.

So what are the fruits that the saved display but the atheists and agnostics (presuming they are unsaved) do not?

 

[CB_Catholic]

When someone is born again there is a drastic change of life.
They go from living in the flesh to living in the Spirit.
Afterwards there is a constant battle between flesh and Spirit.
Ask a person for their testimony, it will be clear when they describe the old person and the new person.
They probably will testify to their sin and their repentence and how God continues to Sanctify their lives.
Also look for spiritual gifts, another clear sign of those that are born in the Spirit.
Look for fruits of the Spirit.
Often when someone becomes born again they can no longer use God’s name in vain(such as saying OMG)
Their tongues are tamed. No more foul language and such.
They get convicted over little things they used to do such as watching violence on TV.
They also usually have a hunger for God’s word.

Miss Lollipops, you will find these characteristics also among people who have converted to sects such as the JW’s and Mormons from a former decadent lifestyle, yet they would hardly be called “born again” as you understand the term. I would say there has to be more to it than what you have listed above.

 

[djrakowski]

A good point.

So what are the fruits that the saved display but the atheists and agnostics (presuming they are unsaved) do not?

Fruits that we can see? I can’t think of any in addition to the fruits of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.

Further, Jesus says that those who love Him will obey Him (John 14:21-24). One must imagine that He intends us to follow Him in everything He commanded - receiving the Eucharist (or the Lord’s Supper), being baptized, obeying the commandments, giving to the poor, etc.

 

[Church_Militant]

Fruits that we can see? I can’t think of any in addition to the fruits of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.

Further, Jesus says that those who love Him will obey Him (John 14:21-24). One must imagine that He intends us to follow Him in everything He commanded - receiving the Eucharist (or the Lord’s Supper), being baptized, obeying the commandments, giving to the poor, etc.

 

[fellowChristian]

Fruits that we can see? I can’t think of any in addition to the fruits of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.

Further, Jesus says that those who love Him will obey Him (John 14:21-24). One must imagine that He intends us to follow Him in everything He commanded - receiving the Eucharist (or the Lord’s Supper), being baptized, obeying the commandments, giving to the poor, etc.

James 2
24**You see **that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

 

[misslollipops]

Miss Lollipops, you will find these characteristics also among people who have converted to sects such as the JW’s and Mormons from a former decadent lifestyle, yet they would hardly be called “born again” as you understand the term. I would say there has to be more to it than what you have listed above.

Could you suggest a few outward signs that I have left out/
Maybe things in your own experience.

 

[clmowry]

I don’t belive you can “know” that someone is “born again” by their “fruit”.

I do however think you can know that you are not in a state of grace by your lack of “fruits”, or even more obviously through the witness of observed unrepented sin.

This is why we I think we always have the “hope” but not “assurance” of our salvation.

Even in the absence of “known” sin it’s simply presumption to say you “know” your among the elect.

This is why we work out our salvation in fear and trembling isn’t it?

 

[runandsew]

Their tongues are tamed. No more foul language and such.

I guess Martin Luther wasn’t born again then.