We bring you 4 characteristics of faith according to the Bible in this post
Hebrews 11 v 6 (KJV): “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him; for he who draws near to God must believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him.
Faith is one of the pillars of the Christian life. In addition to being an indispensable condition for pleasing God, it is the ultimate weapon in the face of the challenges and difficulties that we experience daily. That said, many Christians still find it difficult to exercise it in its authenticity. If you are in this case, I invite you to discover some characteristics of faith according to the Word of God.
Faith is sincere.
Unlike men, God does not look at appearance, but He looks at the heart. As a hymn says, “ If He sees you true and sincere, seeking holiness, He hears your prayers and sets you free .” Indeed, when you base yourself on your desires, your faith is no longer for the glory of God. In this case, you are simply seeking to satisfy your human pride. It is therefore essential to be sincere so that your faith is active.
James 4 v 3 (KJV): “ You ask, and you do not receive, because you ask badly, to satisfy your passions.
Faith excludes doubt.
It is almost impossible to want to exercise your faith, without a real conviction. As defined by the Word of God in Hebrews 11:1, faith is an assurance of things hoped for and a demonstration of things not seen. This then implies that you must believe with all your heart when you make a declaration of faith or when you do an act of faith. In other words, faith excludes doubt.
Faith is violent.
Yes, it may sound strange, but faith in its authenticity often calls for certain violence. It is certainly not a question of physical violence, but interior violence due to an ardent desire to change a situation.
Indeed, it is generally in the face of circumstances that want to condemn us or those around us that we are led to exercise our faith. We are then called to rise, to face adversity, to say no with vigor to declarations of darkness, to call the things that do not exist into existence.
All this will not be done gently, oh no, but with a certain zeal, with the authority conferred on us by the Lord. Especially since He did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of strength, love, and wisdom.
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Faith is victorious.
It is a reality, faith allows us to win so many victories. Many of these heroes of the Bible have accomplished great things because they have had faith in the Word of God. This is not a thing of the past since the Lord remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. So many continue to win victories through faith, and if you learn to exercise your faith, so will you.
Indeed, faith is the trigger for miracles and wonders. God feeds on our faith to make us accomplish the impossible. On the other hand, faith that is not exercised has no opportunity to grow. Faith requires stripping oneself of certain labels. Even if you think you have only a little bit of faith, exercise it healthily and it will act.
Examples of faith in the Bible
The Bible is full of amazing examples of faith. We see many instances of courageous men and women trusting in God and His promises above all else. Remind yourself of how big our God is and how he can the impossible.
Abraham the man of faith
The dramatic story of God testing Abraham’s faith is full of lessons we can apply to our lives. When Isaac was a young teenager, God told Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice. It must have seemed an astounding command – to take your promised son on whom the promises of God depended and sacrifice him upon an altar.
“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘Through Isaac shall your promised offspring come'” Hebrews 11:17-18
When they came to the mountain, Abraham was obedient to God. Just as he took the knife to take the life of his son, God stayed Abraham’s hand and told him to offer instead a ram caught in a thicket.
The walls of Jericho
When Joshua arrived at Jericho, he found himself facing a city that, from a human perspective, seemed impossible to defeat. The walls of Jericho were built on a vast sloping embankment. At the base of this embankment was a wall 12-15 feet high. 46 feet above, at the top of the embankment, was another wall 26 feet high and six feet thick.
When access to Jericho seemed inconceivable, God gave Joshua a plan. But it was a plan that required Joshua to have great faith. God told Joshua and his army to march around the city of Jericho for seven days, and then on the seventh day to blow their trumpets.
“When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the Lord …” Joshua 6:20-21
Despite the ridicule of others, Joshua put his trust in God and followed what seemed bizarre instructions. On the seventh day of marching, the men blew their trumpets and let out a cry. In a mighty display of God’s faithfulness, the walls of Jericho fell to the ground.
David and Goliath
David was sent by his dad Jesse to visit the front lines of battle and bring back news from his brothers. When he heard Goliath mocking Israel and His God, this young boy took an extraordinary step of faith and volunteered to fight him.
He persuaded King Saul to let him fight and instead of the King’s armor, David carried his sling and five stones. In the face of Goliath’s mockery, David trusted God.
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied … All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”1 Samuel 17:45-47
David put a rock in his sling and aimed at Goliath’s head. It was a direct hit and the giant fell to the ground. David then picked up Goliath’s sword and cut off his head.
Bible Verses About the Power of Faith
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Scripture Quotes on What it Means to Have Faith
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but you can also say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.”
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
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Bible Verses About Having Faith
And 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.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have worked.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. …
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Faith Scripture Quotes
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.”
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Bible Verses About a Living a Faith-Filled Life
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Christian quotes about faith
To lift your spirits, we’ve gathered this mini collection of inspirational faith quotes from Christian leaders and speakers. Take heart from their wise words and let them point you towards Christ. Pick a favorite to share with a friend.
- “To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” – George Mueller
- “Faith looks not at what happens to him but at Him whom he believes.”- Watchman Nee
- “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” – Oswald Chambers
Final Words:
If the Word of God declares that the just will live by his faith, it is surely because it is an essential element for any life that wishes to grow in the Lord. So let’s not be afraid to exercise our faith, but just believe that’s what the Lord expects of us.
Be blessed!
