Faith

vs. Presumption

Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it

Key Verse

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

The operational definition of faith is “visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it.” Often, the word faith is used to describe “religion” or “a person’s beliefs.” However, Biblical faith is seeing Who God is, discerning (visualizing) His will, and confidently obeying Him. Faith in God gives us access to His grace. (See Romans 5:2.) Faith is developed by learning to hear God’s voice through His Word. The Holy Spirit reveals Who God is and convicts of sin. He also directs in accordance with His Word and confirms with peace. A Christian’s hope is complete confidence that God will fulfill His promises, even while expectantly waiting for them to happen. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Those who exercise faith in God can overcome doubt and experience God’s supernatural peace and joy, even in stressful situations.

Just as a sleeping baby’s full weight rests on his parent, we demonstrate faith by fully resting in the Lord, trusting that He will meet all our needs.

Unbelief is seen in the theory of evolution, because it denies both the truths of the Bible and the evidence of a Creator clearly manifested in nature.

The opposite of faith is unbelief. When a person questions God, he is not trusting that God is Who He says He is. Doubting God is denying His faithfulness, which leads to relying on oneself or something other than Christ. Being independent reveals pride, which is the presumption that we know what is best for ourselves and others. This stubborn distrust is unbelief, which often is expressed in complaints, fears, and rebellion. We demonstrate unbelief when we think: “I’m not sure God’s promises apply to my situation” or “I tried trusting God, but it didn’t work.” We may even conclude that “I need to be in control.” Acting on these lies will lead to disaster. Scripture warns: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

Evaluation Questions

Do I believe in God? Do I also believe that He makes Himself known to those who seek Him?
Am I reading my Bible consistently, looking for verses that relate to my heart attitude and life situations?
As I read God’s Word, do I welcome the changes that He desires to make in my thinking and behavior?
When was the last time I intentionally acted on a command or promise that I read in God’s Word?
Do I bring specific requests to the Lord, or do I pray only in vague, general terms?
What are some examples of God working supernaturally in my life when I trusted Him?
Instead of doubting God, do I pray with confident anticipation that He will answer according to His will?
Am I worried that my needs may not be met?
Do others overhear me complaining instead of thanking God and rejoicing in His goodness?

Free Faith Resources

More About Faith

Applying the Character Quality of Faith

Articles

3 min

Hymn History: “I Know Whom I Have Believed”

Articles

2 min

How can I resolve doubts about my salvation?

Life Questions

5 min

How can I be saved?

Life Questions

4 min

“Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle; he that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God.”

C. H. Spurgeon

Transformation results as we behold the Lord and yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:18). As we see God’s character through testimonies in Scripture, we grow in our understanding and obedience to His Word. Here are ten aspects of Faith with supporting verses found in God’s Word.

God enables me to:

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Persevere in hope.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

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Lay aside all doubt and fear.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6

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Overcome the world.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4

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Receive His promises.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” II Peter 1:3–4

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Discern His will.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

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Patiently endure trials.

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3–5

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Trust Him with all my needs.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

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Ask expectantly.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

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Act on the truth.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Matthew 7:24

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Be convicted by His Word.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Faith in Scripture

Abraham Trusts God to Keep His Promises

“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

Genesis 22:2

Abraham is called the “Father of Faith.” After he had walked with God for many years, one day God gave him a very difficult assignment. Because Abraham trusted God, he obeyed. Early the next morning, Abraham took his beloved son Isaac, two young men-servants, and a donkey, and they began a three-day journey to the place where God told him to offer a special sacrifice. The purpose of sacrifices was to maintain an open relationship between sinful man and holy God. With this particular sacrifice, God was testing Abraham to see whom he loved most: his son Isaac or God. God was also leading Abraham to the area where God would one day sacrifice His Own Son. As the small group approached their destination, Abraham told the servants, “Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” Isaac surveyed the supplies: the wood, the fire, and his father’s knife for slaughtering the sacrificial animal. He noticed that something was missing. “My father: Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Isaac asked. What would Abraham answer? What promise did Abraham fully expect God to fulfill?

Free Faith Resources

For Kids

Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

The Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum uses examples from the lives of men and women in the Bible whose walk with God resulted in good character or whose lack of faith produced poor character. Through this study, children are encouraged to believe God and base their actions on His promises instead of their doubts and fears.

View the complete curriculum