Your Faith/Doubt Level
The level of your faith or doubt is determined by the way you respond to the problems
when they come. The faith level is low when people walk by sight responding to the
circumstances instead of speaking the word of God against them. A good example is
the disciples in the boat (Mark 4:35-41). The disciples feared but Jesus rebuked the
wind and said Peace be still, and the wind ceased.
In Romans 12:3 we are told that “God has dealt to every man the measure of faith”, so
we see that God is on our side. By trusting in His word, we exercise our faith and send
doubt packing. As God told Joshua, we have to meditate on the word day and night,
before it becomes real in our life in spite of what we see around us.
The incident when Jairus came to Jesus to come to his house to heal his daughter
(Luke 8:41-56), Jesus told Jairus “Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made
whole”. This statement indicates that when you let fear in, it will destroy your faith.
Jesus told his disciples in Mark 11:23 “for verily, I say to you, that whosoever shall say
to this mountain, be you removed, and be you cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in
his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass, he shall
have whatsoever he says”. Our part in the equation is to keep doubt out of our heart.
Remember that faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).
Be careful what you hear, because doubt comes by hearing and hearing the word of
the world (words contrary to the word of God). The Bible warns us to “keep your heart
with all diligence, for out of it (your heart) are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
Remember Jesus said “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A
good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things, and an evil
man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:33b-34), He goes on in
verse 37 to say “for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you are
condemned”. Jesus also told us “take no thought saying”(Matthew 6:31). Thoughts
comes into our mind, but it is only when we speak them out that we give power to them.
Paul told us “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5).
As we read Matthew 8:5-10 we see that the centurion had great faith because he
recognized that Jesus did not have to come into his house to perform the miracle, he
understood that Jesus had authority. In verse 13 “Jesus said to the centurion, go your
way, and as you have believed, so be it done to you, and his servant was healed in the
self same hour”.
We are told in I Corinthians 15:33 “be not deceived, evil company corrupt good
manners”. So it is important who you associate with (Psalms 1:1-6).
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: Sept 1, 2006