Fast 40: Practicing the Ancient Spiritual Discipline of LentSample

Some people treat faith like a sort of Harry Potter magic incantation, believing it will dispel any and all problems in their lives. They use faith as a means to declare, decree, and demand whatever (usually positive) outcome they desire. But that is simply fake faith.

In Christianity, there is a difference between the supernatural and the superstitious, and the primary test that distinguishes them is the Word of God. Faith is not merely optimism or positive thinking. It is not a feeling, nor is it being visionary, nor is it crying out to the sky and dancing in a frenzy until something happens. None of those things come close to the biblical definition of faith.

True faith is simply this: believing, trusting, and obeying the Word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God.” Faith is believing in what God has said over what we want Him to say. It is trusting in His plans over the plans we have made. It is obeying His will over our own self-will.

Simply put, biblical faith is only activated by divine truth. The faith that can move mountains is only strong because it finds its strength in the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God.

When God's Word becomes our focus, faith becomes our shield.