Faith is perhaps the most essential aspect of Christianity. The word itself appears about 250 times in the Bible. Faith is something we talk about a lot. We assume we have it, and we live by it.
But when pressed for an accurate definition of faith, we come up with something better described as wishful thinking. So how does the Bible itself define faith?
How the Bible Defines Faith
Hebrews 11 is referred to as “the roll call of faith.” It describes the faith of many Bible figures. Verse 1 tells us: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Verse 6 adds: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Romans 10:17 helps by telling us: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” These three verses provide perhaps the best Biblical definition of faith.
Practically Applying Faith
In practical application, Paul tells us that we are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). And Hebrews 10:38 adds “the just shall live by faith.” Simply put, faith is the opposite of sight. God teaches us to grow in our faith through darkness.
As Moses climbed Mount Sinai to spend time with God, he was led into dense clouds. Nahum 1:3 reads “His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.” In Psalm 97:2 David tells us that “Clouds and darkness surround Him.”
Songbirds are taught to sing in the dark. God has an infinite number of ways to bring darkness into our lives, and all are to help us to strengthen our faith.
The Faith of a Oil Rig Diver
A modern day example of walking by faith and not by sight might be a commercial diver on an offshore oil rig. These massive machines can be many miles off shore anchored hundreds of feet below the surface. They must be built to endure hurricane force winds, waves, and currents.
As such, the equipment and the tools with which to do the constant maintenance required are huge, heavy, and incredibly difficult to maneuver. The divers must endure frigid cold, fierce currents, and crushing pressure from the depth.
But the greatest challenge is that the work is often done with zero visibility due to the silt from the ocean floor. They are trained on the machinery in a classroom, practice until they can do the work blindfolded, and then sent out to the sites.
Under duress human nature intuitively strains to see, even in total darkness; and as such, these divers often tape their eyelids shut before they dive just to minimize this reflex action.
Keeping Faith in Darkness
This same principle can apply in things spiritual. When God places us in stressful situations, our human nature will strain to walk by sight, focusing on things we can see, touch, hold and control. We desire things that are familiar and safe.
But God may be drawing us to a closer relationship with Himself—learning to walk by faith, guided by His Word, and learning to see spiritually. Here are some tips that may help:
- Darkness is a time to be still and listen. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
- Be careful who you talk to. Truly there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 15:22). In Galatians where Paul used the word faith 22 times, he said that he “did not confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16).
- Seek people who offer relevant Scriptures, not just offer opinions. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.” (Psalm 1:1)
- Meditate on those Scriptures. “But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law does he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)
- Know that your faith will become sight. “I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you.” (Job 42:6)
Seeing Isn’t Believing
In the physical world, we understand things in order to believe them. Seeing is believing. In the spiritual world, we believe by faith the Truth of His Word and then He gives us understanding. “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
When the Lord leads you into a time of darkness, close your eyes. Cry out to Him as blind that He would give you sight.Let Him lead you to Scriptures relevant to you situation, meditate on those Scriptures, and you will be amazed at what He will show you!
“Call unto Me and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” ( Jeremiah 33:3)