What can we do about unbelief?

Introduction:

Unbelief is not just found in Atheists, it is found right here in many Christians.

They want to trust God fully, but are struggling with unbelief.

Questioning the word of God, their faith, or their purpose.

Whatever it may be, we must learn how to fight it and keep ourselves from going astray.

Let us see what scripture has to say.

Transition: We must be honest.

I. Admit unbelief honestly — not excusing it.

A. This father did not pretend strength.

a. Mark 9:24 “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and was saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief.””

b. He was honest about his unbelief and prayed for help!

B. We must bring it to light.

a. 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?”

b. It hides under many names:

i. I’m just being realistic.

ii. I’m cautious.

iii. I’ve been hurt.

c. Hebrews 3:12 “See to it brothers, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.”

i. It is dangerous because it can lead us to go astray and harden our hearts.

ii. The longer we hide it, the more we will go down this path.

Transition: We need the right food.

II. Feed faith with the right source: The word of God.

A. We can become malnourished spiritually.

a. Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

b. We snack on entertainment, opinions, and anxiety.

B. It reveals God’s character.

a. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

b. Unbelief often assumes that God is harsh and distant.

C. It gives evidence and testimony.

a. John 20:31 “but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

b. God did not ask for a blind leap in darkness.

D. It arms us against lies.

a. Matthew 4:4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’””

b. Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’””

c. Matthew 4:10 “Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’””

Transition: Remember!

III. Remember what unbelief does and faith does.

A. Unbelief is not just a feeling; It produces fruit.

a. James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself.”

b. Faith is not just a feeling; It produces obedience.

c. Hebrews 3:19 “So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.”

i. Israels’ unbelief would cost them everything.

ii. They would wonder in the wilderness.

B. What is unbelief producing in me?

a. Prayerlessness?

b. Neglect of worship?

c. Secret Sin?

d. Worldliness?

e. Hardened resentment?

C. What does faith produce?

a. Trust and obedience (Hebrews 11)

b. Repentance and confession (Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9)

c. Consistent gathering and encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25)

d. Perseverance (James 1:2-4)

Transition: Pray!

IV. Pray specifically for help and pray with Scripture.

A. Some prayers are to vague; pray specifically.

a. Matthew 7:7 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

b. James 1:6 “But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

i. It is not saying to not struggle, but to not be doubleminded.

ii. Do not pray while refusing to trust and obey.

B. How do we pray in the struggle?

a. Confess the unbelief plainly.

b. Ask God for strength, wisdom, and strength.

c. Pray with scripture open.

Transition: No faith killers!

V. Put away the faith killers and pursue the faith builders.

A. Faith killers to put off:

a. Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

b. Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

c. Philippians 4:6–8 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things.”

B. Faith builders to pursue:

a. John 4:24 ““God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.””

b. Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

c. Titus 2:14 “who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.”

Transition: Look to Jesus!

VI. Look carefully to Jesus because faith is centered on a person.

A. This is not a self-help program, it is about Jesus.

a. Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

b. Unbelief shrinks when Jesus becomes big again.

B. Remember that your hope is not in your flawless performance, but in Christ’s sufficiency.

Transition: Why not give everything to Christ and follow him?

Conclusion