Do you believe that God knows our every thought? I ask this not to argue or debate, just a honest and sincere Question
Yes I do. Here's two Scriptures that show this @Ren Tanner Psalm 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath. Isaiah 66:18 "For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory
@Ren Tanner "I ask this not to argue or debate, just a honest and sincere Question" Then, no. No one knows what is in my mind save for myself. To believe, hope, otherwise is the crutch of folly. That "crutch" has been utilized by "wise men" to exercise control over human beings for thousands of years. I simply execute my view. I do not intend to develop a "ring-toss" aimed at "winning". Clearly, IMO, little valid evidence exists that my own remains after death will be any more than detritus in the wash. Fodder for the rattlesnakes in our area. Frank
Wife and I totally believe in God and in his son Jesus Christ. He has been with us thru many things in life.
I do believe that God is capable of knowing our thoughts. Whether He keeps up with it all, I don't know. That would seem to be a waste of time, but then time is not the same for God as for us.
Other than the examples that @Babs Hunt has already given there are many references in the Bible which attest to God's ability to know our thoughts and to piggy back on @Ken Anderson, who knows what He does with them. Beyond that, there is another small problem that I have touched upon in past posts in some other non-religious threads which do not answer anything but do pose the question of what "thought" actually is. In as much as the most accepted theory is that a person (or mind) is not the same thing as our brain because brain waves can be measured, diagramed, and even have color and sound frequencies but the thought behind the neural activity cannot but yet, is proven without a shadow of doubt that it exists. No instrumentation to date can measure, diagram or hear thought but yet............ Many religious and non-religious constructs believe that although we are all individual entities we are still tied together though our spiritual self or "thoughts" as it were. The more research into the matter at hand that I do, I am coming closer and closer to believing that the very core and essence of all thought is.......God,.......and we are vessels which are tied to that essence. So, although many theologians would deem me absolutely mad and some think me even heretical, I do believe that He not only knows our thoughts but is also the planter of that seed. Think about it: God cannot be measured, diagramed, seen nor heard and ..........neither can thought. Seems too much of a coincidence to me.
Well put, @Bobby Cole ! I have come to a similar conclusion myself, although I take different trails to get there than you do sometimes. A few years ago, on Coast to Coast AM, Art Bell had an experiment on the show, and they used one of those random number generators. I do not remember exactly how the experiment went, but everyone was given something (like specific numbers) that we were all to think about at a certain time the next night. When they checked the generator, the results for that hour showed a difference that seemed to coordinate with what every one was supposed to think about. Even people who have no belief in God will acknowledge that there is some kind of a collective consciousness, and when enough people concentrate on the same thought, it can affect the outcome. While I don't believe that God "spies" on our every thought (like the NSA does); I do believe that he is aware of the thoughts we think, and is definitely aware of us when we specifically address him about something. Not all of my prayers are answered, at least the way that I was expecting; but I have had some experiences where I am positive that God was looking out for me, and all I had time for was to mentally cry for help, and he took care of it.
https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-know-our-thoughts.html Sometimes. like now when I am so busy helping my daughter with my grandbabies I cannot get my thoughts out simple and straight forward and that is why I like gotquestions.org so much...their answers are always (to me) exactly that! I do believe our heavenly Father knows our every thought and that in itself brings me peace because I know if my thoughts wonder off to a place they shouldn't be...the Holy Spirit will gently "nudge" me back in the right direction.
I don't think this belongs in the thread for religion. I can understand a who cares attitude about my [when] will be by those that believe the stories in bible. But here goes anyway, because forumns are for input from people with different perspectives. When is about my loss of faith that a supernatural being created mankind. I trace my when back to my late teens and science class in high school. From about age 5 until late teens I truly believed during those years the bible was a true explanation of how mankind began. Thanks to the teacher that challenged us to think. I admit when I thought about the story of Adam & Eve being made as the bible says "made in our Image" Genesis 1:26 I had fear or OMG thoughts of what will happen to me when I die & I'm doubting Adam & Eve were the beginning of mankind. I just couldn't understand how the image portrayed in the bible could be so different from fossils. No reason to try to explain all the stories that for me defy logic so I'll use two examples. 1. Much more recent & what I consider validation of my doubt about Adam & Eve. Bible version.https://creation.com/6000-years year Science version https://www.history.com/news/dna-study-finds-aboriginal-australians-worlds-oldest-civilization. Which of these resemble Adam or Eve? Neanderthal, Cro Magnum, Denisovans & Aborigine. They existed but don't fit the popular image of Adam or Eve. I question why? Why does the bible portray one image & facts portray what is real? 2. Noah another favorite of mine to question. There are numerous references to "GOD" as being merciful. https://activechristianity.org/38-verses-mercy-compassion. This commandment came after all mankind except Noah & his family were murdered. Where was the mercy & compassion befor that commandment? Not believing & not having blind faith doesn't lend itself to discussions or questioning the contradictions between science & the bible. But modern technology allows for being able as I pointed out in the 1st. paragragph the luxury of posting thoughts in a forumn.
I look forward to the discussion, Bob. Personally I am an agnostic, though I was raised in the Baptist Church. Seems that I have spent my life looking for answers, and finding none in organized religion. (I have also attended Presbyterian, Catholic and non-denom churches.)
There are many concepts of "god" in the world. You seem to only consider one, @Bob Kirk. I seldom if ever discuss religion on a personal level, as I have never found anyone who thinks as I do. As far as organized Christianity goes (or any organized religion for that matter) I have seen the comfort that many obtain from their beliefs. When bad things happen to "good" people or innocent people, some have their belief strengthened by the ordeal while others totally lose their faith. I think we have seen both sides right here on this forum, and I have seen it many times myself. Like @Beth Gallagher, I have attended many different churches of a number of denominations and religions, and have read about many more. I would encourage you to re-evaluate what you believe "god" to be. I think your concept of god is too narrow and is based on something I don't understand. Are you trying to destroy the faith of others, or are you just expressing your disgust with what you believe "god" to be? Nothing you can say can affect my beliefs, but you may disturb others. You may, however, make me angry with the assumption that the only concept of god that exists is the one you believe (or don't?) when many in fact exist, even within the bounds of Judeo-Christianity not to mention Hinduism, Jainism, Deism, Islam, etc. No one concept of a deity satisfies all people.