The Silent Killer

Illustrating a Truth of The Power of Believing

All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Unbelief is a silent killer stalking the Christian's land of promise. This should not surprise us, because it was unbelief that kept the children of Israel out of their Promised Land. And yet we are believers! We know that Jesus is Lord and has been raised from the dead. We believe that the Bible is His Word, that we have been forgiven, and that we are heading to heaven—all of which is gloriously true!

But have we been "blinded by the light" we have received? Are we failing to see what we don't yet believe? Do we fully believe all that we need to? The truth is that whenever we lose bright hope for our future, or confidence in God's love, or deep peace or joy, we have been robbed! Since it is unbelief that the thief uses to crush the life out of our faith, the main thing we need to work at is keeping our hearts alive by fully believing what God’s Word tells us—just as Jesus commanded us to do (John 6:29).

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God… And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12, 18-19

Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." John 6:29

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

Prayer

Father, it is not my faith that saves me. I am being saved by Your calling, Your love, Your truth, the Blood of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit's power. Forgive me for taking credit for what I believe for You alone opened my eyes. Forgive me for turning a blind eye to what I have not yet been believing that You have already shown me to be true. I cast down all past pride and fear. I want to become able to see this hidden stronghold when it is blocking me, so help me to fully believe what You believe. I do believe, but please help me recognize and overcome my unbelief! 

Next Illustrated Truth

Hope in Him
Illustrating the truth about the importance of "holding onto the hope" that our God of Hope holds out to us.