Freedom Calls

As children of the one true God, we have been saved by the gift of grace and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, we often find ourselves struggling with unbelief, just like the father in Mark 9:24, who cried out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” In this blog, we will explore the concept of unbelief, its effects on our relationship with God, and how we can overcome it through faith and trust in Him.

**The Struggle with Unbelief**

Unbelief is a common struggle for many believers. It can manifest in different ways, such as doubts about God’s existence, His love for us, or His ability to intervene in our lives. The Bible warns us about the dangers of unbelief, stating that it can lead to a hardened heart and a life of disobedience (Hebrews 3:12-13). Charles Spurgeon, in his sermon “The Danger of Unbelief,” notes:

“Unbelief is a sin of the greatest magnitude, for it denies the truth of God, and so stabs at the very heart of Deity. It is a sin which has in it a profane disregard of the sacred veracity of the Most High.”

**The Source of Unbelief**

According to the Bible, unbelief is often rooted in a lack of understanding or a misunderstanding of God’s character and nature. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” AW Tozer, in his book “The Knowledge of the Holy,” writes:

“The unbelief of the human heart is a result of our failure to see God as He really is. We have made Him too small, too tame, and too manageable. We have lost sight of His majesty, His power, and His holiness.”

**Overcoming Unbelief**

So, how can we overcome unbelief? The answer lies in faith and trust in God’s Word. In Psalm 119:66, the psalmist writes, “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.” Watchman Nee, in his book “The Normal Christian Life,” notes:

“Faith is not a feeling, but a decision to trust God’s Word, even when our feelings and circumstances contradict it. It is a choice to believe God, even when we do not understand or see the way ahead.”

**The Power of Faith**

Faith has the power to overcome unbelief and bring us closer to God. In Hebrews 11:1, we read, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” DL Moody, in his sermon “The Power of Faith,” says:

“Faith is the key that unlocks the door to the supernatural. It is the bridge that spans the chasm between the natural and the spiritual. It is the foundation upon which we stand, and the anchor that holds us fast in the midst of the storms of life.”

As we journey through life, we will inevitably face struggles with unbelief. However, by recognizing the source of unbelief, seeking a deeper understanding of God’s character and nature, and choosing to trust His Word, we can overcome unbelief and grow in our faith. As Cs Lewis, in his book “Mere Christianity,” writes:

“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods. For moods will change, whatever view your reason takes.”

Let’s pray, like the father in Mark 9:24, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” May God grant us the faith and trust we need to overcome unbelief and live a life that honors Him.

**References:**

* Mark 9:24

* Hebrews 3:12-13

* Isaiah 55:8-9

* Psalm 119:66

* Hebrews 11:1

* Charles Spurgeon, “The Danger of Unbelief”

* AW Tozer, “The Knowledge of the Holy”

* Watchman Nee, “The Normal Christian Life”

* DL Moody, “The Power of Faith”

* Cs Lewis, “Mere Christianity”