Confidence and trust in God's promises and character.
Faith: Confidence and Trust in God’s Promises and Character
Faith is not vague optimism, nor is it mental positivity. Biblical faith is a Spirit-empowered response to who God is and what He has spoken. It is the God-given means by which we receive salvation, walk in holiness, and exercise spiritual authority. Without faith, we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6); with faith, we can move mountains (Mark 11:23).
1. The Biblical Definition of Faith
The Hebrew: ’emunah – Steadfast Trust
In the Old Testament, the primary word for faith is ’emunah (אֱמוּנָה). It carries the idea of:
Steadfastness, firmness, reliability
Faithfulness, trustworthiness
A stable, enduring confidence
It is related to the verb ’aman (אָמַן), meaning “to be firm, to support, to confirm.” From this root we get “Amen” – “so be it,” “truly,” “it is firm.” Faith in the Hebrew sense is not a fleeting feeling; it is a settled, covenantal loyalty to God based on His proven character.
Habakkuk 2:4 says, “the righteous shall live by his faith” (emunah). This is not just believing that God exists; it is a life of steadfast trust and loyalty to Him in the midst of shaking.
The Greek: pistis – Trust, Belief, Reliance
In the New Testament, the main word is pistis (πίστις), which means:
Belief, trust, confidence
Reliance upon, persuasion, conviction of the truth
Faithfulness (in some contexts)
Faith is not merely intellectual agreement; it is personal reliance on God and His Word. It involves:
Knowledge – You have heard what God has said.
Assent – You agree that it is true.
Trust – You personally rely on it and act accordingly.
Hebrews 11:1 gives a Spirit-inspired definition:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV)
evidence
“Substance” (hypostasis) – underlying reality, foundation, assurance. Faith gives present reality to what is hoped for.
“Evidence” (elegchos) – proof, conviction. Faith is the inner conviction of unseen realities.
Biblical faith is not blind; it is seeing with the heart what God has revealed, and acting on it.
2. Old Testament Foundation of Faith
Faith is not a New Testament invention. From the beginning, God has related to His people on the basis of faith.
Abraham – The Father of Faith
Abraham is the classic example. God gave him a promise: descendants, land, and blessing to all nations through him (Genesis 12:1–3). Abraham responded:
“And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
Paul quotes this in Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6 to show that righteousness has always been by faith, not by works of the Law. Abraham believed God’s Word even when circumstances contradicted it (Romans 4:18–21).
Key aspects of Abraham’s faith:
He obeyed when he did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8).
He believed God could give life to the dead (Romans 4:17–21).
He was willing to offer Isaac, trusting God’s promise (Hebrews 11:17–19).
Israel in the Wilderness – The Tragedy of Unbelief
Israel’s history shows the danger of unbelief. God delivered them from Egypt with signs and wonders (Exodus 7–12), yet:
“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19)
Despite seeing miracles, they hardened their hearts, grumbled, and refused to trust God’s promise to bring them into the land (Numbers 13–14). The writer of Hebrews uses this as a warning to believers: unbelief shuts us out of God’s rest and inheritance (Hebrews 3:7–4:2).
The Prophets – Calling Israel Back to Faith
The prophets repeatedly called Israel to trust in God rather than in idols, alliances, or human strength.
Isaiah 7:9 – “If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.” Faith is the condition for stability.
Jeremiah 17:5–8 – Cursed is the one who trusts in man; blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
Habakkuk 2:4 – “The just shall live by his faith.” This becomes a cornerstone verse for New Testament teaching on justification by faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).
From Genesis to Malachi, the pattern is clear: God speaks, and His people are called to respond with trust and obedience. Blessing follows faith; judgment follows unbelief.
3. The Fulfillment of Faith in Christ
Jesus is both the object of our faith and the perfect example of faith.
Jesus – The Author and Finisher of Faith
Hebrews 12:2 calls us to look:
“unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
“Author” – originator, pioneer. Faith’s pathway is blazed by Him.
“Finisher” – perfecter, completer. He brings faith to full maturity.
Jesus lived in perfect dependence on the Father:
He only did what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19).
He only spoke what the Father commanded (John 12:49–50).
He trusted the Father even unto death (Luke 23:46).
Jesus embodied the righteous life of faith that Habakkuk 2:4 anticipated.
Faith in Christ – The Way of Salvation
The New Testament makes it clear: we are justified by faith in Christ, not by works.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1).
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31).
Faith is the hand that receives what God has provided in Christ: forgiveness, righteousness, adoption, and eternal life.
Jesus’ Teaching on Faith and Miracles
Jesus consistently linked faith with the manifestation of God’s power:
To the woman with the issue of blood: “Daughter, your faith has made you well” (Mark 5:34).
To blind Bartimaeus: “Your faith has made you well” (Mark 10:52).
In Nazareth: “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58).
To the disciples: “If you have faith as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
Jesus did not merely commend faith as an inner attitude; He presented it as the God-ordained channel for the release of divine power.
4. The Power of Faith for Today (Critical Section)
Faith did not retire with the apostles. The same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus and the early Church now indwells every believer. Faith is the key by which we cooperate with the Spirit and see God’s power manifest in our day.
The Spirit of Faith
Paul writes:
“And since we have the same spirit of faith… we also believe and therefore speak.” (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Faith is not merely a human effort; it is a spiritual disposition imparted by the Holy Spirit. He:
Reveals the truth of God’s Word (John 16:13).
Testifies of Christ (John 15:26).
Convicts and persuades our hearts (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
Produces faith as part of His fruit (Galatians 5:22 – “faith/faithfulness”).
When the Word and the Spirit unite in the heart, faith is born and strengthened.
Faith and the Authority of the Believer
Jesus delegated His authority to His disciples:
Over demons and disease (Luke 9:1–2; 10:19).
To preach the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:18–20).
This authority is exercised by faith, not by feelings. Mark 11:22–24 is foundational:
“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says…”
Key principles:
Object of faith – God Himself (“Have faith in God”).
Speaking faith – “whoever says to this mountain…” Faith is expressed in words aligned with God’s will.
Heart assurance – “does not doubt in his heart…” The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to remove doubt as we meditate on the Word.
Expectation – “believes that those things he says will be done…” Faith expects God to act according to His promise.
The Holy Spirit trains us to speak in agreement with the Word and to act as representatives of Christ’s authority on earth.
Faith and the Gifts of the Spirit
The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural operations of God’s power (1 Corinthians 12:7–11). Faith is central to their operation:
One of the gifts is explicitly “faith” (1 Corinthians 12:9) – a special, Spirit-given surge of confidence to believe for the impossible in a specific situation.
Miracles and healings are “by the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:9–10). Faith is the human response that cooperates with His initiative.
Galatians 3:5 asks:
“He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
Miracles are not earned by performance; they flow where there is hearing mixed with faith.
Faith, Prayer, and Expectation
The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray in faith:
“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22).
“This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14–15).
Faith does not demand its own will; it lays hold of God’s revealed will. The Spirit uses Scripture to reveal God’s will, then stirs faith in our hearts to pray and act accordingly.
A continuationist perspective insists: what God did in Acts, He is still willing to do today, as He leads and as we believe. The same gospel, the same Spirit, the same Lord – therefore, the same pattern of faith and power.
5. Practical Steps to Walk in Faith
Faith is both a gift and a discipline. The Holy Spirit imparts it, but we are commanded to grow in it. Here are concrete steps:
1. Feed on the Word Until It Shapes Your Inner World
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Set aside daily time to read, meditate, and confess Scripture.
Focus especially on promises related to areas where you need breakthrough (healing, provision, guidance, victory over sin).
Turn verses into personal declarations: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
As you do this consistently, the Spirit uses the Word to build a new inner picture – a faith picture – that contradicts fear and unbelief.
2. Choose to Act on the Word, Not on Feelings
Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). At some point, you must act as if God’s Word is true.
If God says forgive, then forgive, even when you don’t feel like it (Mark 11:25).
If God says lay hands on the sick (Mark 16:18), then obey, even if you feel weak or unqualified.
If God says give, then give, trusting His promise to supply (2 Corinthians 9:6–8).
The Holy Spirit meets you in obedience. Often, the sense of faith grows after you step out, not before.
3. Guard Your Heart and Your Mouth
Unbelief is often reinforced by what we listen to and what we say.
Avoid filling your mind with constant negativity, fear, and doubt.
Deliberately speak in line with God’s Word, not with your fears.
When tempted to say, “I’ll never be free,” instead confess, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36).
2 Corinthians 4:13 links believing and speaking. The Spirit of faith will train your tongue as you yield it to Him.
4. Pray in the Spirit to Strengthen Your Faith
Jude 20–21 says:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…”
Praying in tongues and Spirit-led prayer:
Edify and strengthen your inner man (1 Corinthians 14:4).
Help you align with God’s will beyond your understanding (Romans 8:26–27).
Stir up sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading, which is essential for living by faith.
Make praying in the Spirit a daily discipline. It is one of God’s main tools to build you up in faith.
5. Refuse Condemnation; Stand in Righteousness by Faith
Condemnation is a faith-killer. If you live under a cloud of guilt, you will struggle to believe God for anything.
Receive by faith that you are justified by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:1, 9).
When you sin, confess it immediately and receive cleansing (1 John 1:9).
Stand in the righteousness of Christ, not your own performance (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). Boldness in prayer and ministry flows from knowing you are accepted in Christ.
6. Key Scriptures on Faith (With Brief Commentary)
1. Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Defines faith as present assurance of future realities and inner conviction of the unseen. Faith treats God’s promises as more real than visible circumstances.
2. Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Faith involves two convictions: that God exists, and that He is good – a rewarder. Doubting His goodness undermines true faith.
3. Romans 10:17
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Faith is not worked up; it is produced by exposure to God’s spoken Word. The Spirit uses Scripture to birth and grow faith in the heart.
4. Mark 11:22–24
“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain… and does not doubt in his heart but believes… he will have whatever he says.”
Reveals the authority of faith-filled words aligned with God’s will. Shows the connection between heart-belief, spoken confession, and manifested results.
5. Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
The Christian life is not lived by self-effort but by ongoing trust in the indwelling Christ. Faith is not a one-time event; it is a continuous lifestyle.
6. Ephesians 2:8–9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Salvation is entirely by grace, received through faith. Faith does not earn; it receives what grace freely provides.
7. 2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Summarizes the Christian walk. We are governed by what God has said, not by what we see, feel, or understand naturally.
Faith is God’s ordained means for you to lay hold of His promises, walk in His power, and fulfill your calling. The Holy Spirit is ready to cultivate in you a spirit of faith that refuses to bow to fear, unbelief, or circumstances. As you yield to the Word and the Spirit, you will find that faith is not a struggle to believe harder, but a resting confidence in the faithful God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
If you’d like, I can help you craft specific faith confessions and Scriptures for the particular area you’re believing God in right now.