Principles of Faith (Part 2)
Embracing Unshakeable Belief
Welcome back to our exploration of faith! If you missed Principles of Faith (Part 1), be sure to check it out for a foundational understanding. Today, we delve deeper into the heart of faith, focusing on the powerful assurance found in Mark 11:23.
The Mind's Battlefield: Conquering Doubts
One of the greatest challenges in the journey of faith is overcoming doubt. As I pondered over the words, "and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says shall come to pass," I realized how often our minds become a battleground. It’s here, in the depths of our thoughts, where faith is often tested and where believers often get tripped up.
In Joyce Meyer's insightful book, The Battlefield of the Mind, she shares how crucial it is to build mental resilience. So often, the victory of faith is decided in the mind, not so much what we see or hear—which we often can't control—but our minds we can build up over time to control what we hear and see.
Building Firm Belief
As explored previously, faith is the unwavering belief that God will uphold His promises. I like the Amplified version of Luke 17:19.....Your faith (Personal trust in Me and your confidence in God's power) has restored your health.
For instance, when we claim the promise of healing (when we say specifically I am healed; Jesus has made provisions for that already), doubts may arise, whispering that it's just a simple cold or sickness, suggesting easy remedies. It's in these moments of internal debate where true faith is forged. Remember, you have claimed God's promise. The head nags you a bit, and you think I should take an ibuprofen. Then you remember again that I have claimed the promise of healing. You go back and forth with that thought. The moment you give in to allow those suggestions to rule and get a grip in your heart, the battle of faith is often lost.
Consider Peter walking on water. His initial faith(belief) in Jesus' command, "Come," was overshadowed by doubt the moment he gave in to the thoughts of whether ‘Could this be real?’. ‘How can I walk on water?’ ‘Oh, this storm is boisterous!’ The lesson here is clear: doubt creeps in when we allow our circumstances to overshadow our belief. I wasn’t there with him, but he was human, just as I am human.
Strengthening Your Faith Muscles
Developing faith is like building physical strength, requiring consistent effort and patience. For some, this confidence in God's promises comes quickly, while others may need a more deliberate journey. I, too, have learned over time, acknowledging past experiences that sometimes cloud my belief. My journey has been a deliberate one.
The key is perseverance. Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to "hold fast to our confession of faith," underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness.
The challenge lies not in avoiding thoughts that question our faith but in maintaining a firm, resolute disposition that God is faithful to His word. This steadfastness, even in the face of doubt or adversity, is the path to the fulfillment of His promises.
Revisiting our text Mark 11:23, which speaks very much to the Principles of Fatih, we can conclude here that a believer who speaks/prays for a request and does not doubt in his heart (knowing how to control the mind with the weapons of our warfare), but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Once you have prayed/asked in line with the word of God, you do not doubt in your heart but believe what you say will be done; it is a guarantee that you will have what you say. That is a promise from God, who does not lie!
What's Next?
In the upcoming posts, we’ll explore:
How to overcome doubt: This is a big stealer of answers to prayers.
How to Hold Fast to Your Confession: Discover practical strategies to maintain your faith against all odds.
Aligning Your Words and Confession: Learn the importance of harmonizing your spoken words with your faith.
As we continue this journey, let each step strengthen your spiritual resolve and deepen your connection with God's truth. Let’s move forward with hearts full of faith and minds focused on His promises. Stay tuned for more insights that will empower your walk with God.
