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When you hear the word “faith,” what is your reaction? The whole subject of faith can seem very obscure and fuzzy. However, since the Bible says that without faith, it’s impossible to please God, we need to make sure we have it because we really want to please God, right? But how can you tell if you have faith? And what can you do to increase your faith?
The Bible gives us a definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” So, the first thing we hope for as Christ-followers is that we will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven because we’ve put our trust in him and him alone. That’s the first step of faith that is required in order to please God. Have you taken that step?
Then the Bible says, “…the righteous will live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). Paul wrote “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). So, after you have placed your trust—your faith—in the redemption Jesus provides for your eternal salvation, you face this challenge of living by faith.
Now, in your faith journey, there are times when your faith is strong, and there are times when doubts arise. Doubt is the opposite of faith. You may have doubts about your relationship to God. Perhaps you look at your failures and wonder if God could continue to call you his child since you’ve failed badly. Maybe you doubt if God really hears your prayers. All of us have occasional doubts.
In James 1:7 and 8 we read: “That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” Doubt makes you double-minded and unstable. Double-minded means you believe God today and tomorrow you doubt. Then you become unstable, wobbly, ineffective, discouraged, unreliable.
It’s obvious if you want to please God, you need to get rid of doubt. But just because some doubt enters your mind doesn’t mean you’ve lost your faith. It’s how you respond to the doubt that will determine whether that doubt takes over and makes you unstable, or whether you are victorious and your faith increases.