One day, I went to the hospital to visit a friend. A pastor offered to pray for her. His words disturbed me for years: “God, you’re all-knowing and all-powerful. If it be your will, raise up our sister and heal her. But if not, then your will be done.”
We all said “amen” without thinking. But something felt wrong.
Later, as I reflected on that prayer, questions flooded my mind. If God already knows what He’s going to do, why are we praying? If everything happens by His will, no matter our prayers, what’s the point?
That day marked the beginning of my journey to understand what faith is according to the Bible. What I discovered changed everything about how I approach God, prayer, and life itself.
Key Takeaways
- Faith is a choice, not a feeling or mysterious force.
- The biblical definition of faith centers on confidence and conviction.
- Jesus consistently emphasized individual faith over divine will as the determining factor.
- Faith involves being persuaded by God’s promises, not just knowing about them.
- True faith acts on what it believes, not on what it sees or feels.
- Understanding what faith is will transform how you pray and receive from God.
The Modern Church’s Misunderstanding of What Faith Is
Most churches today have shifted away from emphasizing what faith is biblically. They don’t teach faith as the key factor. Instead, they focus on God’s mysterious will as the deciding element.
This creates a problem. When we pray “if it be thy will,” we’re essentially saying we don’t know what God wants. We’re removing our responsibility and placing everything in God’s hands.
Jesus didn’t teach His disciples to pray like this for healing, provision, or deliverance.
What Jesus Actually Said About Faith
In Matthew 9:28-29 (KJV), Jesus encountered two blind men. His response reveals what faith is:
“Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yes, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.“
Notice what Jesus emphasized. Not His ability. Not God’s will. Their faith.
The phrase “according to your faith” appears throughout the Gospels. Jesus always stressed that human faith is key to receiving God’s blessings.
In Mark 9, a desperate father brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples. When they couldn’t help, the father turned to Jesus with these words:
“If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.”
Jesus’ response cuts to the heart of what faith is:
“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” – Mark 9:23 (KJV)
The father tried to put everything on Jesus. Jesus put it back on the father’s faith.
What Faith Is: A Biblical Definition
So what is faith according to Scripture? Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) states:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.“
The word “substance” means confidence. The word “evidence” means conviction. So faith is confidence and conviction about things we hope for but haven’t yet seen.
Faith Is Being Convinced
At its core, what faith is can be summed up as: being convinced. Or as the Bible often puts it, being persuaded.
Throughout the New Testament, we see the Apostle Paul persuading people to believe. In Acts 17:2-4 (KJV),
“Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures… And some of them believed.“
Paul didn’t force belief. He presented truth. Some became convinced. Others didn’t.
This is what faith is. Allowing yourself to be convinced by God’s truth rather than your circumstances.
Faith Is Always a Choice
Here’s something that might surprise you: faith is always a choice.
After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples heard from many witnesses that He was alive. Yet Mark 16:11 (KJV) says,
“When they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, they believed not.“
These weren’t people who couldn’t believe. They were people who chose not to believe.
Jesus didn’t comfort them for their doubt. Mark 16:14 (KJV) tells us
“He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.“
The word “upbraided” means to rebuke sharply. Jesus corrected them because unbelief is a choice – and it’s the wrong choice.
Why Understanding What Faith Is Matters for Salvation
The clearest example of what faith is comes from how we receive salvation itself. John 3:16 (KJV) declares:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“
What determines who receives eternal life? Belief. Faith. Not God’s mysterious will, but the individual choice to believe. John 3:18 (KJV) reinforces this:
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.“
The determining factor isn’t God’s will; it’s individual faith.
The Same Faith Applies to Everything
Here’s where it gets interesting. If faith brings salvation, why not healing, provision, and other blessings?
Psalm 103:2-3 (KJV) connects forgiveness and healing in the same verse:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.“
Jesus bore our sins AND our sicknesses. He was made poor so we could be made rich. The same gospel that shows God’s plan for salvation also shows His plan for healing and provision.
What grace has provided, faith must possess.
The Nature of Faith vs. Unbelief
Understanding what faith is requires understanding its opposite: unbelief.
The Bible calls unbelief “evil” (Hebrews 3:12). Not just mistaken or weak but evil. That’s because unbelief always robs us of God’s blessings.
The Thomas Example
Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, provides a perfect example of choosing unbelief. When the other disciples told him Jesus had risen, Thomas chose to respond in this way:
“Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” – John 20:25 (KJV)
Notice his words: “I will not believe.” This wasn’t inability. This was refusal.
Eight days later, Jesus appeared to Thomas. He asked Thomas to examine His wounds then said:
“Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” – John 20:29 (KJV)
Faith doesn’t need physical proof. In fact, faith that needs to see and feel isn’t really faith at all.
Four Stages of Receiving from God Through Faith
Based on biblical patterns, there are four stages in receiving from God:
- Ignorance: Not knowing God’s will about something.
- Knowledge: Hearing God’s Word (faith comes by hearing).
- Belief: Choosing to be convinced by the truth in God’s Word.
- Action: Acting on what you believe.
Most people get stuck between stages 2 and 3. They hear the truth but do not allow themselves to accept it.
What Faith Is in Practical Terms
So what does faith look like practically?
- Faith is confidence in God’s character, promises, and power. One must believe that what God says is true, regardless of current circumstances.
- Faith trusts in God’s goodness even when things look bad. It believes in God’s promises even when circumstances seem impossible.
- Faith acts on God’s Word rather than waiting for feelings or circumstances to change.
Faith Comes by Hearing
Romans 10:17 (KJV) tells us:
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“
This is why regular exposure to God’s Word matters so much. Faith isn’t something you work up through emotional manipulation. It comes from hearing God’s Word.
The more you hear God’s promises, the more convinced you become. The more convinced you become, the stronger your faith grows.
Common Misconceptions About What Faith Is
Many people misunderstand what faith is. Let me address some common misconceptions:
- Misconception 1: Faith is blind belief without evidence. Truth: Biblical faith is based on the evidence of God’s character and promises revealed in His Word.
- Misconception 2: Faith is a feeling. Truth: Faith is a choice to believe the truth, regardless of feelings.
- Misconception 3: Some people have faith and others don’t. Truth: Everyone has the capacity for faith. It’s a matter of choice, not ability.
- Misconception 4: Faith means never having questions or doubts. Truth: Faith means choosing to believe God’s Word despite questions or doubts.
Why Faith Pleases God
Hebrews 11:6 states:
“Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“
Why is faith so important to God? Because He’s our Father.
Think about earthly parents. What makes parents happy? When their children trust them enough to receive their good gifts.
God has provided everything we need through Jesus Christ. Having faith means believing in His goodness and trusting His promises. This belief opens us up to receive His blessings.
This makes Him happy because He loves blessing His children.
Living by Faith Daily
Understanding what faith is will transform your life. Live by God’s promises, not by feelings, circumstances, or what others think.
- When sickness comes, faith says: “By His stripes I am healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
- When lack appears, faith declares: “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
- When fear tries to dominate, faith proclaims: “God hath not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
This isn’t a denial of reality. It’s choosing to believe God’s reality over temporary circumstances.
The Results of Understanding What Faith Is
When you truly grasp what biblical faith is, several things happen:
- Your prayer changes. You stop praying “if it be thy will” about things God has already promised.
- Your confidence increases. You become sure of God’s goodness and intentions toward you.
- Your prayer results improve. You begin receiving more of what God has provided.
- Your joy returns. You stop living in uncertainty about God’s will.
- Your influence grows. Others see God’s blessings in your life and want to know Him.
Conclusion: Become a Person of Faith
Faith can be summed up like this: It’s being sure that God’s Word is true and acting on that belief.
It’s choosing to believe God’s promises over your circumstances. It’s trusting His character over your feelings. It’s being persuaded by His truth over the world’s lies.
The beautiful truth is this: faith is available to everyone. It’s not a special gift for some people. It’s a choice that anyone can make.
Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
That blessing is for you. Today, you can decide to believe in God’s goodness. You can decide to trust His promises. You can become a man or woman of faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the biblical definition of faith?
A. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is confidence and belief in God’s promises, even if we haven’t seen them fulfilled yet.
Q. Is faith a feeling or a choice?
A. Faith is a choice, not a feeling. In Scripture, we see people choose to believe or not, no matter their feelings or situations. Jesus rebuked His disciples for choosing unbelief, meaning faith is always a decision.
Q. How does faith come?
A. Romans 10:17 says, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith develops as we hear and become convinced by God’s truth revealed in His Word.
Q. Why is faith important to God?
A. Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please him.” Faith pleases God. It shows trust in His character and promises. This trust allows Him to bless us like a loving Father blesses His children.
Q. Can anyone have faith?
A. Yes, everyone has the capacity for faith. Faith isn’t a special gift given to some and not others. It’s a choice to believe God’s truth that anyone can make.
Q. What’s the difference between faith and hope?
A. Hope looks forward to good things happening. Faith is confidence that God’s promises are true right now, even if we can’t see the results yet.
Q. Does faith require evidence?
A. Biblical faith rests on the proof of God’s character and promises found in Scripture. It’s not blind belief, but conviction based on who God has proven Himself to be.
Q. How do I grow my faith?
A. Faith grows through regular exposure to God’s Word. The more you hear His promises and see His faithfulness, the more you trust in His goodness and reliability.
