Doubting is a bad habit. We've been conditioned into this habit, and it has been reinforced so much that it has formed a lifestyle for many, but we don't have to continue living this way. Doubting is often built by disappointment, disillusionment, delay, and hopelessness. Even our language supports this doubting mindset by telling us constantly, "Don't get your hopes up." Doubting becomes a cultural icon or just a demonic con.
Here are other often used clichés' that lead us to a lifestyle of doubt and unbelief, "Seeing is believing; I can't believe my eyes, you win some, you lose some; you never know what God will do." You know there are many others. This cultural linguist negativity actively works against us having active faith.
There is no such thing as passive faith. There is no fruit from passivity. It's just pseudo-faith. Ephesians 4:17 tells us not to live as the Gentiles live. How do Gentiles live? They live in the empty futility of their thinking, which means ineffective, feckless, and useless. It is literally non-thought according to the Lord because they are separated from Him, Who gives life and light to everything. Doubting Christians become just like the Gentiles, ignorant and insensitive, and hardened to the things of God. They can become driven by their dark emotions of fear, anger, resentment, and depression. If we find ourselves in this condition, we have to put off- or remove that old-mind set, that old paradigm of cultural norms and vain traditions; and put on the Mind of Christ.
But how do we break a habit ingrained in our societal psyche? First, we have to remember we are new creatures. Therefore, we can put off our old selves – to be made new in our minds and hearts, putting on a new attitude of hope. This is available to us because we are patterned after God, Who, by His very nature and character, is not just full of hope but IS Hope and Righteousness. A definition of righteousness is correct thinking, feeling, and acting. Ephesians 4:25 says to put off any falsehood, any twisted, perverted way of speaking or jesting. Remember, our language is filled with these hope and faith-robbing cliches. We know unwholesome and toxic talk doesn't build you or others up, but it grieves the Holy Spirit because it is rooted in blaming God.
So how do we get rid of the habit of doubting that keeps our wells clogged (Genesis 26: 15-22) and us from having great faith? First, we must repent and get rid of bitterness, which grows from pain, disappointment, resentment, anger, and rage. The antidote for bitterness is forgiving God (though He is never guilty, however deep in our subconscious minds we think He is). People may say forgive God!?? I'm not disappointed or upset with God even though I prayed about this or that, and it didn't happen, or things that did happen were unfair or unjust. Things that we don't understand. Most of us have been there, so commit to making sure your heart is clean with the Lord. Next, forgive ourselves, and forgive others.
Romans 10:17 teaches us how to build our faith through hearing: "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." It can come by the preached Word or by having a supernatural experience with God through the agency of the Holy Spirit. Let's break down this scripture. It says our faith comes out of hearing or having an audience with someone giving instructions through the Rhema (or living utterance of God), as opposed to logos, which generally refers to the written Word. Therefore, our faith is built when we hear a Word from the Father as He enlightens His Word in our hearts.
Our ears must be involved in growing in faith, not only our physical ears but the "hearing" of our heart. In other words, what will we "hear" or receive into our hearts? Couple this scripture in Romans with Hebrews 10:22's invitation to draw near to the Faithful Father; we have the full assurance that we possess the faith and hope that please God.
The words we repeat to ourselves matter. If we want to grow in faith, our self-talk needs to be faith-based. It needs to echo the scripture and the principles behind those scriptures. This positive self-talk is not just a pep talk, it's a powerful tool for building and maintaining our faith.
The Word Renews the Mind, but Faith Changes the Heart—It's Not a Mindset, It's a Heart Reset. It doesn't matter what the world says or what other people say if they don't say what God says! If God says something, it's going to happen. The Word renews the mind, but faith in the Word changes the heart. You see, you can't convince your mind of something your heart refuses to believe or accept. You can say a promise from scripture all day long, but if deep in your heart you believe you can't really experience its promise, your heart will win that battle. We must realize that every time we accept or agree with whatever doesn't align with what God said about us, we hinder our own progress in life. Doubt and unbelief are our enemies. But doubt isn't just the opposite of belief; it's the antagonist of belief.
That's why faith needs to get into your heart. It's why faith isn't just about a mindset but a heart reset! And you can reset your heart by opening the Wells of Faith! Go back and remember the things that the Lord said and did for you. Recount the miracles you prayed into, the healings when you laid hands on the sick. Call down the floodgates to open over your life and stir yourself up. But you may ask, 'How do I hold on to my convictions? How do I stay assured when everything is going in the opposite direction?' Wow! I've been there; that's when we need the body/prayer partners, our fellow believers, to hold us up and support us through their prayers and encouragement. But most importantly, we hold on to the Rhema, the God-breathed Word, and remember the past experiences that bring us confidence.
Here's a suggestion: go back to the place, attitude, or action that helps you hear from the Lord (like kneeling, playing praise and worship, praying in the Spirit, meditating on a scripture, or taking communion). Connecting with the Lord is vital and the only important thing; it will change you and your situation. We know it's very individual. R.W. Schambach (a famous fiery preacher) used to say, "One word from God changes everything!" How true that is.
The Living scriptural Rhema word is spoken and received into a willing heart, taking the mind and intellect with it or, if necessary, by-passing (by that, I mean a word not ruled by the soul or sense knowledge) but by the Spirit is the Word of Life that transforms us from death to life. It will refresh our dry ground and open our wells of faith. Our faith, hope, and love will be active and alive, bringing the Kingdom of God and His Life wherever we go.
Someone might say I've never heard from God, I can't hear from Him, or I don't know how to, or maybe I heard, but I'm not sure it's Him. There are many great ministries and teachers who can support you in learning how to hear from God. Hearing from God for yourself is crucial so you can enter the upcoming battles as fully equipped, heavenly-armed warriors.
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