Faith and Assurance

Doctrinal basis. Written from the Westminster Confession’s teaching on assurance by a Reformed pastor and seminary president.

Points to weigh

• One of the three means it names is pursuing obedience, which a person with a very tender conscience may turn into a test of themselves; read it with a pastor.
• If your doubts come as repeated, intrusive thoughts that you cannot stop, see the OCD and Religious Scrupulosity topic: sources there (for example the International OCD Foundation’s packet for faith leaders) warn that extra reassurance and self-checking can feed the cycle, and recommend a qualified clinician.
• This is pastoral encouragement, not medical care. If you or someone you know is in crisis or danger, call your local emergency number or, in the U.S., call or text 988.

Classification and points to weigh are reformededucation.org's judgments from the sources listed below. They describe and do not endorse; confirm current details with the institution.