Eradicating unbelief

This week, we learn how to deal with unbelief – one of the greatest hindrances to walking in the fullness of all that God has made available to us through Christ Jesus. Acts 10:38 reminds us that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.” Saints, the same power which rested upon Jesus now dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. Yet many believers struggle to see that power at work in their lives because unbelief restricts its flow. When left unchecked, unbelief short-circuits our faith and delays the manifestation of God’s promises. One form of unbelief is that which comes from ignorance, when we do not know what God’s Word says about a matter. The remedy is the Word itself, for “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). The more we meditate and act on the Word, the more we eradicate ignorance and its effects. Another form is unbelief that comes from deception, when we believe something contrary to what God has spoken. Again, the cure is Scripture, for “the entrance of Your Word brings light and gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). Saints, the truth and light of the Word exposes lies, dispels deception, and restores faith. There is no good fruit you can expect from a heart filled with both faith and unbelief, which is why God commanded, “You shall not sow your field with mixed seed” (Leviticus 19:19). Our faith must remain pure and uncontaminated if it is to produce results.

In Mark 9, we see a vivid example of unbelief when Jesus’ disciples were unable to deliver a boy possessed by a mute spirit. The boy’s father brought his afflicted son to Jesus and said, “I spoke to Your disciples that they should cast it out, but they could not” (vs.18). This was striking and unusual because, in Luke 10:17, these same disciples had returned from ministry rejoicing, saying, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your name!” (Luke 10:17). Saints, even after walking with God and witnessing His power, we can face moments where our faith is tested, when situations that once seemed easy to overcome now appear impossible. The enemy exploits such moments to make us doubt that God’s power is still at work in us. When Jesus heard the report, He said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me” (vs.19). Their issue was not the absence of power, but the absence of faith. Power had already been given, but unbelief blocked its expression. In Matthew’s account, Jesus explained plainly: “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:20-21). Prayer and fasting are not merely religious routines, but spiritual disciplines that purge our hearts of unbelief, strengthen our faith, and empower us to walk in divine authority. When unbelief creeps in, fasting and prayer recalibrate our hearts to trust in God’s ability to perform His Word. When the boy was brought to Jesus, the spirit convulsed him violently and threw him to the ground. The father, weary and desperate from years of affliction, cried out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (vs.24). His prayer was honest, the cry of someone who desired to believe but recognized the presence of unbelief that was weakening his faith. That is why Apostle James warns that “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7-8). Just like the father, we too must be honest with God about our unbelief, bringing it before Him in prayer rather than hiding it in pretence, so that He can help us overcome it.

Even Jesus encountered how unbelief can hinder a move. In Mark 6, when He returned to His hometown, the people said, “Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (vs.3) and they were offended at Him. They could not see beyond His humanity to recognize His divinity, and so could not receive from Him. Saints, familiarity breeds contempt; when we become too casual with the things of God, we risk losing reverence for His Word, His presence, or His servants. Scripture tells us that Jesus “could do no mighty work there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He marveled because of their unbelief” (Mark 6:5-6a). Yet notice what Jesus did next: “He went about the surrounding villages teaching” (Mark 6:6b). Teaching was Jesus’ antidote to unbelief, because the Word brings faith. Revelation renews our minds and breaks the power of ignorance and deception. Let us therefore strive to keep our faith pure and unshaken, for as Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which exposes every area in our hearts where doubt and unbelief still linger. May Your Word continue to strengthen our faith and purify our hearts, so that our belief remains steadfast. Lord, we believe – help our unbelief. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.