--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead of asking yourself whether you…" description: "\"Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask yourself whether you have, this day, done one thing because He said, Do it! or once abstaine..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/george-macdonald-295_absurd_instead-of-asking-yourself-whether-you-b_2494813.jpg" --- # Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask… ![“Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask yourself whether you have, this day, done one thing because He said, Do it! or once abstained because He said, Do not do it! It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him, if you do not do anything He tells you.” quote by George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/george-macdonald-295_absurd_instead-of-asking-yourself-whether-you-b_2494813.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/george-macdonald-295_absurd_instead-of-asking-yourself-whether-you-b_2494813.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/george-macdonald-295_absurd_instead-of-asking-yourself-whether-you-b_2494813.jpg) > “Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask yourself whether you have, this day, done one thing because He said, Do it! or once abstained because He said, Do not do it! It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him, if you do not do anything He tells you.” [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that true belief is demonstrated through actions aligned with divine commands, not merely verbal affirmation or desire. **In simple terms:** Belief is proven by doing what God says, not just saying you believe. Key Takeaway Act on your faith, not just claim it. Themes faith action belief obedience Mood thoughtful inspirational Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - daily prayer - charitable work - ethical choices - personal discipline Key Concepts practical spirituality integrity religious practice Questions to Reflect On - What actions have you taken that reflect your beliefs? - How do you handle moments when you cannot act on faith? A Different Perspective It may ignore situations where fear or oppression prevent action despite belief. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd/) [Absurd Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd-say-1001825/) [Ask yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-yourself/) [Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) [Asking Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking-believe-803086/) [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-ask-1001824/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [One thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-thing/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Say Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-believe-234655/) [This day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-day/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him, if you do not do anything He tells you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-is-simply-absurd-to-say-you-believe-or-even-want-to-believe-in-him/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [It is absurd to say in respect of any intelligence that it is infallible, but if you ask me what I believe, I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/it-is-absurd-to-say-in-respect-of-any-intelligence-that-it-is/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [I have never learned to say 'gas' for gasoline. It seems to me as absurd as if I were to say 'but' for butter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roberts-rinehart/i-have-never-learned-to-say-gas-for-gasoline-it-seems-to-me-as-absurd/) [Mary Roberts Rinehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roberts-rinehart/) > [It would be absurd to say I'm not British - you can hear it when I speak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-margolyes/it-would-be-absurd-to-say-i-m-not-british-you-can-hear-it-when-i-speak/) [Miriam Margolyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-margolyes/) > [It is absurd to say that there are neither ruins nor curiosities in America when they have their mothers and their manners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/it-is-absurd-to-say-that-there-are-neither-ruins-nor-curiosities-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [It is absurd to say that the age of miracles is past. It has not yet begun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/it-is-absurd-to-say-that-the-age-of-miracles-is-past-it-has-not-yet/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“I did not ask if you believe what man says about God. I asked if you believed in God. There is a difference. Holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/i-did-not-ask-if-you-believe-what-man-says-about-god-i-asked-if-you/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [“Do you like her' ''Of course!' What a question! Like asking her if she believe in God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-highsmith/do-you-like-her-of-course-what-a-question-like-asking-her-if-she/) [Patricia Highsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-highsmith/) > [I doubt the fact, to begin with, but if it be so even, what is this but in grand words asking me to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/i-doubt-the-fact-to-begin-with-but-if-it-be-so-even-what-is-this-but/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [“Christ isn't asking us to believe in our ability to exercise unwavering faith. He is asking us to believe that he is able.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/christ-isn-t-asking-us-to-believe-in-our-ability-to-exercise/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [By not asking too much, you can believe in almost anything..like..a starry night in the mountains, or even the existence of fate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-friedman/by-not-asking-too-much-you-can-believe-in-almost-anything-like-a/) [Aimee Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-friedman/) > [Do I believe in God? Can't answer, I'm afraid. I'm not being flippant, but I don't understand the question. What is it that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/do-i-believe-in-god-can-t-answer-i-m-afraid-i-m-not-being-flippant/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Langdon, I did not ask if you believe what man says about God. I asked if you believed in God. There is a difference.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/langdon-i-did-not-ask-if-you-believe-what-man-says-about-god-i-asked/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [I'M ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE... not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington... I'm asking you to believe in yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-m-asking-you-to-believe-not-just-in-my-ability-to-bring-about-real-2/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“The people who were behind my abuse were very clever. They had created something which would be so difficult to explain, so difficult to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-matthew/the-people-who-were-behind-my-abuse-were-very-clever-they-had-created/) [Laurie Matthew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-matthew/) ## More by George MacDonald > [“No revelation can be other than partial. If for true revelation a man must be told all the truth, then farewell to revelation; yea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/no-revelation-can-be-other-than-partial-if-for-true-revelation-a-man/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [In low theologies, hell is invariably the deepest truth, and the love of God is not so deep as hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/in-low-theologies-hell-is-invariably-the-deepest-truth-and-the-love/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Life and religion are one, or neither is any thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/life-and-religion-are-one-or-neither-is-any-thing/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [The region belonging to the pure intellect is straitened: the imagination labours to extend its territories, to give it room. She sweeps across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/the-region-belonging-to-the-pure-intellect-is-straitened-the/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/come-then-affliction-if-my-father-wills-and-be-my-frowning-friend-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Ah, what is it we send up thither, where our thoughts are either a dissonance or a sweetness and a grace?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/ah-what-is-it-we-send-up-thither-where-our-thoughts-are-either-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [You must learn to be strong in the dark as well as in the day, else you will always be only half brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-must-learn-to-be-strong-in-the-dark-as-well-as-in-the-day-else/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/few-delights-can-equal-the-mere-presence-of-one-whom-we-trust-utterly/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“You have tasted of death now,” said the old man. “Is it good?” “It is good,” said Mossy. “It is better than life.” “No,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-have-tasted-of-death-now-said-the-old-man-is-it-good-it-is-good/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [ “I wish I had \[made that song\]. No, I don't That would be to take it from somebody else. But it's mine for all… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-wish-i-had-made-that-song-no-i-don-t-that-would-be-to-take-it-from/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Past tears are present strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/past-tears-are-present-strength/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/age-is-not-all-decay-it-is-the-ripening-the-swelling-of-the-fresh/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [I want to help you grow as beautiful as God meant you to be when he thought of you first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-want-to-help-you-grow-as-beautiful-as-god-meant-you-to-be-when-he/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Immeasurably imperfect it was, but false the impression could not be, for she saw with the eyes made for seeing, and saw indeed what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/immeasurably-imperfect-it-was-but-false-the-impression-could-not-be/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Those that hope little cannot grow much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/those-that-hope-little-cannot-grow-much/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) [Explore all 720 George MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## More Absurd quotes > [“It seem absurd to me that they don't know, haven't felt any change or tremor, even as my life has been completely turned upside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/it-seem-absurd-to-me-that-they-don-t-know-haven-t-felt-any-change-or/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [When a person’s tongue is extensively wrong, it is absurd, no less than unscriptural, to say that their heart is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/when-a-person-s-tongue-is-extensively-wrong-it-is-absurd-no-less-than/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [It is human nature to think wisely and to act in an absurd fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/it-is-human-nature-to-think-wisely-and-to-act-in-an-absurd-fashion/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-dangerous-and-fateful-presumption-besides-the-absurd-temerity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I thought to myself: if it’s true that every person has a star in the sky, mine must be distant, dim, and absurd. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadegh-hedayat/i-thought-to-myself-if-it-s-true-that-every-person-has-a-star-in-the/) [Sadegh Hedayat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadegh-hedayat/) > [If, indeed, a firearm were more dangerous to its possessors than to potential aggressors, would it not make sense for the government to arm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/if-indeed-a-firearm-were-more-dangerous-to-its-possessors-than-to/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [“You were torturing a cat," she says. "With a freaking prod." "A prod I built myself in metal shop," he says. "But of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/you-were-torturing-a-cat-she-says-with-a-freaking-prod-a-prod-i-built/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I have never heard enough classical music to be able to enjoy it; & the simple truth is, I detest it. Not mildly, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-have-never-heard-enough-classical-music-to-be-able-to-enjoy-it-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [To deprecate human reason by saying that none of us is or can be omniscient is absurd, for it takes an impossible standard as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/to-deprecate-human-reason-by-saying-that-none-of-us-is-or-can-be/) [Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/) > [“Rachel got up and did this happy little shuffle, like she was some cheerful farmer chick who'd just stepped outside to find the hick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/rachel-got-up-and-did-this-happy-little-shuffle-like-she-was-some/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [The absurd duty, too often inculcated, of obeying a parent only on account of his being a parent, shackles the mind, and prepares it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/the-absurd-duty-too-often-inculcated-of-obeying-a-parent-only-on/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [The workman of today works every day in his life at the same tasks, and this fate is no less absurd. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-workman-of-today-works-every-day-in-his-life-at-the-same-tasks/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I was once part of a Christmas cabaret. I sang 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.' I tap-danced. I had a ten-gallon hat. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dinklage/i-was-once-part-of-a-christmas-cabaret-i-sang-i-saw-mommy-kissing/) [Peter Dinklage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dinklage/) > [Solitude produces originality, bold and astonishing beauty, poetry. But solitude also produces perverseness, the disproportianate, the absurd and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mann/solitude-produces-originality-bold-and-astonishing-beauty-poetry-but/) [Thomas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mann/) [Browse all 1,644 Absurd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask yourself whether you have, this day, done one thing because He said, Do it! or once abstained because He said, Do not do it! 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