How do you know?

[AnneTeresa]

How do you know if something you are going through is from God? Or a result of sin? Or a temptation? Or something else? And how are you supposed to deal with it if you don’t know what it is? The scenario is having doubts about things the catholic church says. Let’s say you still do them but in your head you don’t believe they are more than man-made rules.

 

[JohnAlexander]

Well one thing you should not do is try and figure such things out yourself. Getting an opinion from the internet is equally useless as you can easily find the answer you want, not the truth.

You need a good spiritual adviser. Priests are usually best for this. A spiritual adviser is an on going relationship. He has to know you so he will have a context for your situation.

It is easy to find a priest that dissents from official Church teaching so make sure you find a good priest not a convenient one.

If you have a specific problem then you can ask for the official Church position on it and try and understand why it is the Church position, for example contraception.

Man made rules are not always a bad thing, even if they are not from God. For one thing they make us acknowledge that we are not masters of ourselves. The biggest sin, original sin in fact, was Man saying to God, “I will decide for myself what is right and wrong”

 

[Glacies]

How do you know if something you are going through is from God? Or a result of sin? Or a temptation? Or something else? And how are you supposed to deal with it if you don’t know what it is? The scenario is having doubts about things the catholic church says. Let’s say you still do them but in your head you don’t believe they are more than man-made rules.

In case a trial is from God it must be for our good wherefore we should continue in a trusting union with Him, or if has been caused by ourselves we should repent our mistakes and return back to Our Lord counting on that He will be there to receive the prodigal son. Standing still is one step closer to falling backward than marching forward is, and accordingly St. Alphonsus de Liguori teaches that when under spiritual desolation we should regardless of the cause take a grip of ourselves and cling to God.

Uniformity with God’s Will, 6. Spiritual Desolation:

But you say you would gladly endure desolation if you were certain that it comes from God, but you are tortured by the anxiety that your desolation comes by your own fault and is a punishment for your tepidity. Very well, let us suppose you are right; then get rid of your tepidity and exercise more diligence in the affairs of your soul. But because you are possibly experiencing spiritual darkness, are you going to get all wrought up, give up prayer, and thus make things twice as bad as they are?

If a person has doubts about Church teaching, possible options to have recourse to are good priests, catechetical and apologetical literature, websites, and importantly God with His saints. The Church has a long history of theological controversies behind Her of which She has passed through up to this day and has the testimony of many Church Fathers, theologians, and Doctors of the Church to back Her up. Should there be a particular question this forum might be good place to inquire about it. We are here to help.

 

[Lady_Love]

Jesus was baptized by St. John in the Jordan, John baptized based on the need for repentance. Jesus, being sinless, had no need of baptism but he said to John, let us do this for “the sake of righteousness.” If Jesus did these things, who had no need for them, then how much more, we who are sinful, should do them. Jesus did this to identify Himself with sinners. He humbled Himself to give us the example that we must follow.

There have been many times that I felt I didn’t need to do certain things but said with Jesus,…“For the sake of righteousness.” And I did them anyway.

When it comes to following Jesus there will be many things we do that we don’t see the purpose of them. But faith tells us that, what we do in faith will bear fruit for eternal life, no matter how foolish or unnecessary they seem.

 

[JRKH]

How do you know if something you are going through is from God? Or a result of sin? Or a temptation? Or something else? And how are you supposed to deal with it if you don’t know what it is? The scenario is having doubts about things the catholic church says. Let’s say you still do them but in your head you don’t believe they are more than man-made rules.

I’m at a bit of a loss to know how your scenario (following rules) really fits with the questions that precede it…So im going to ignore the scenario and try to tackle the questions you are asking…
In my mind I do not try to separate these matters as to where something came from, what it is the result of is it a temptation etc…I find that NOT doing this actually makes things easier to deal with - which seems to be your main question.

Everything in our life is an opportunity to grow closer to God. So, whatever you are going through, can be seen to work for the good of God and the Kingdom. The best thing to do is to look for what God wants to teach you and what you should do in a given situation that most closely conforms to the Command that We Love one Another as Jesus Loved us. Seeking, abiding in, and acting on that Agape Love will allow you to continue to move forward on your journey and these other questions will not seem so important or troubling.

I hope this helps a little…

Peace
James

 

[fred_conty]

Anne,
If something is leading you to sin, then you usually know.

You also mentioned something about doubts.

I will say that there is a difference between a question and a doubt.
A question is the mind searching to understand the faith, but does not question the truth of it.
A doubt is the mind questioning whether the article of faith is true until understood.

“Nor do I seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand.
For this too I believe, that unless I first believe, I shall not understand.”
St. Anselm of Canterbury

From Saint Augustine: “Understanding is the reward given by faith. Do not try to understand in order to believe, but believe in order to understand.”

For example, to speculate, “I wonder if Jesus is really present in Eucharist,” is to question the
truthfullness of Jesus and deny his authority. But to say, “I wonder just how Jesus is really
present in the Eucharist,” is a question to understand “how” after the fact of belief.

On the other hand the devil may present someone with the thought, “You really don’t believe
that He could possibly be present because that would certainly be below His dignity.”

Now the person has to decide. Do I reaffirm my belief or do I doubt and hesitate and
begin to wonder. The person must respond, “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.” He cannot
say, “well I need more time to consider this,” or “I’m not so sure, I should be careful,
there are others who don’t think this.”

And also the true faith must be complete. It would be foolish to suppose that we can pick
and choose among the things God has told us according to our particular taste. For example
to say “I believe in being saved, but not in Baptism,” is to say that “God can be wrong.”
And from this follows “can we believe in God at all.”

Just some thoughts.

 

[AnneTeresa]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like desolation from what you said, until I read this…

I will say that there is a difference between a question and a doubt.
A question is the mind searching to understand the faith, but does not question the truth of it.
A doubt is the mind questioning whether the article of faith is true until understood.

“Nor do I seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand.
For this too I believe, that unless I first believe, I shall not understand.”
St. Anselm of Canterbury

From Saint Augustine: “Understanding is the reward given by faith. Do not try to understand in order to believe, but believe in order to understand.”

For example, to speculate, “I wonder if Jesus is really present in Eucharist,” is to question the
truthfullness of Jesus and deny his authority. But to say, “I wonder just how Jesus is really
present in the Eucharist,” is a question to understand “how” after the fact of belief.

On the other hand the devil may present someone with the thought, “You really don’t believe
that He could possibly be present because that would certainly be below His dignity.”

Now the person has to decide. Do I reaffirm my belief or do I doubt and hesitate and
begin to wonder. The person must respond, “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.” He cannot
say, “well I need more time to consider this,” or “I’m not so sure, I should be careful,
there are others who don’t think this.”

And also the true faith must be complete. It would be foolish to suppose that we can pick
and choose among the things God has told us according to our particular taste. For example
to say “I believe in being saved, but not in Baptism,” is to say that “God can be wrong.”
And from this follows “can we believe in God at all.”

It is doubts according to this. It helps to know what I am supposed to do with them now.
Thank you!

 

[fred_conty]

You’re welcome.

We have questions are whole life, for the faith is that large.

Be at peace.