Christian, women

What Is Faith, Really?

Cindy Dawson

Faith is synonymous with trusting God. Faith is not a power we can use like a magic wand to get anything we want. This is an important distinction. Yet many so-called Bible teachers teach the concept of faith incorrectly.

For many years, I followed the Word of Faith teachers who teach a false concept of faith. Once I began to see the Truth, it was very difficult to erase that false concept from my mind.

The first thing I did was read the New Testament from cover to cover three times in a row. As I read, I paused whenever I saw the word “faith” and interpreted its meaning from the context. I had a lot to learn, and a lot to unlearn. As I read God’s Word, I had to stop thinking of faith as personal power and substitute the definition “trusting God”. It took a lot of work and a lot of time.

“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…” Ephesians 5:25-26 NIV

Studying Faith in Context

Jesus Heals a Sick Woman

 “Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.” Matthew 9:20-22 NIV

It was her trust in Jesus, her belief that He was able to heal her, that brought her healing. “If I only touch his cloak”! Make no mistake. She was not depending on herself or any power of her own.

Blind Bartimaeus

 “As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Mark 10:46-52 NIV

Just like the woman with the issue of blood, if you read this verse about faith in context, you will clearly discern that it was trusting Jesus that healed him.

In fact, if we study the Bible as a whole we will learn that everything in it points to one thing: Jesus.

Faith is trusting God and His plan, even when we don’t understand it. When my daughter went to Africa to work in a children’s hospital, I learned a lot about faith. It was most definitely about trusting God. It was never about my own power to bring about what I wanted. You can read about my experience here.

To have faith is to trust God and believe His Holy Word, the Bible.

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

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24 thoughts on “What Is Faith, Really?”

  3. ” As I read God’s Word, I had to stop thinking of faith as personal power and substitute the definition “trusting God”. ” Very good thoughts here, Cindy.

    “To have faith is to trust God and believe His Holy Word, the Bible.” Amen!

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  4. Lots of good points in this, Cindy! Faith is surely not a magic wand! And it’s true that sometimes we have to “unlearn” some teachings. A number of years ago I got caught in that curious “name it and claim it” trap–resulting in terrible disappointment, doubt and confusion. I’m thankful that God continues to guide me with His rod, staff and unique Voice. If we’re not claiming what is in His will, it’s at best futile–at worst, devastating. Abundant blessings to you, Sister ❤

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    1. Thanks for sharing your experience. So many innocent souls are caught up in the “name it claim it” error. This often happens because they read books about the Bible, instead of reading the Bible for themselves. Have a blessed day, dear Zelda!

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      1. Thank you 🙂 I think we innocently assume we can trust preachers to interpret God’s Word accurately–particularly if we’re not Bible scholars ourselves. We all have to start “somewhere”–it’s the rare believer who’s born wise as Solomon 🙂 I’ll be 70 this year and though I feel like God has “fast-tracked” me (since 2011), I have so much more to learn–but I’m blessed with an eager heart, always craving more of the Lord ❤

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  9. This is powerful, Cindy. You explained the issue perfectly. I’ve met people who say that their child must be sick because they don’t have enough faith. How defeating that is! And how demeaning to God. Thank you for dealing with this in such a clear way.

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  11. Pingback: What Is Faith, Really? — Real Christian Women – QuietMomentsWithGod

  12. Faith has nothing to do with us! I love the definition of trusting God rather than our power. If it were our power, how would it be faith? Beautifully put. I love how you study scripture in it’s context.

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