NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

Faith or to believe is defined in Hebrews 11: 1 as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Unbelief or lack of faith renders prayer meaningless, salvation and the existence of God, a myth. Faith or belief connects us to spiritual realities and causes the supernatural to happen in our lives. The causes of unbelief or lack of faith are fear, anxiety and doubt.

Firstly, fear causes a lack of faith in God. Fear is an unpleasant ef2meotion caused by the threat of dangefr, pain, or harm. Before Jesus Christ calmed the great storm in Matthew 8:23-27, fear had gripped the disciples before they said to Jesus in distress, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” (Matthew 8:25). Although they rightly called on Jesus to save them, they were afraid because the magnitude of the storm made them believe that they will perish. Faith should have rather made them courageous and believe th, at in the face of the grexd2ex at storm they were safe with Jesus in the boat. It was because they first entertained fear instead of faith, that Jesus said to them “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:26). Again in Matthew 14:22-33, when Peter requested to walk to Jesus on the water, he “… got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:29-30). Peter was afraid because he failed to believe that he was safe with Jesus regardless of the wind, he rather entertained fear and believed that the wind would harm him. Dear friend, faith must precede fear but when fear precedes faith then unbelief will overcome us. Fear of unpleasant situations caused by threats of danger, pain or harm should first and foremost, lead us to embrace Jesus and trust Him to keep us safe to overcome the spirit or emotions of fear and the actual threats that may come at us.

Secondly, anxiety also leads to unbelief or a lack of faith in God. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. We become anxious over the needs or necessities of life. Some of these needs are shelter, food, water, entertainment, employment and financial security. Many Christians or believers are overwhelmed with unbelief because they become obsessed with anxiety in the search for the necessities of life. Anxiety leads to unbelief through the lack of zeal for prayer and Bible study. Many Christians of our time hardly rest because they are in constant search of money and business opportunities. They no longer make time for worship services and are pregnant with myriads of excuses about being busy at work and making money to secure their future and that of their families. Sadly, the fact that eludes them is that God owns our very lives, therefore the life we live is a borrowed one. We may work all the days of our lives but success and achievement come from God, it is for this reason Jesus admonishes us that “For the Gentiles (unbelievers) seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:32-34). Paul again reminds us that we can overcome unbelief through prayer when he wrote that “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). It is important to note that so long as we are alive our material needs will remain endless. Anxiety leads us to the self-deception that our feeble might or strength can fetch or guarantee us the necessities of life. Believing or having faith in God as we work to make ends meet enables us to trust God with our needs whiles we live a stress-free or anxiety-free life. Believing or faith must precede anxiety.

Thirdly, doubt leads to unbelief. In Christianity, faith makes no room for doubt. Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. In other words, doubt is another word for unbelief and the opposite of doubt is belief or faith. Jesus said to Thomas “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29). God has done many miracles and wonders in our lives to prove His existence and love for us, why doubt Him and the promise of His providence and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ? In Guy Penrod’s song titled “One by One”, he wrote in Stanza 1 that;

When upon life’s billows
You are tempest-tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost

Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done

Sometimes life’s hardships and challenges can cast doubts in our minds about the existence of God and His ability to save us from tribulations. Doubts are caused by our present experience of hardship and circumstances but belief or faith reminds us of what God has done in the past, His abundant grace even in times of turbulence and the fulfilment of His promises in the future. Belief or faith must precede doubt.

In summary, we have discussed the causes or factors militating against our ability to have faith or believe in God and how to overcome them. The enemies of faith are fear, anxiety and doubt. It is important to note that these causes or enemies of faith are usually interconnected. We can overcome these enemies of faith or belief through a consistent devotion to prayer, knowledge and obedience to the Word of God and by the help of the Holy Spirit. Faith or belief is an indispensable part of our Christian life because “without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6). May the Holy Spirit empower us to overcome the enemies of faith even as we await the second coming of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Amen.