The Danger of Shallow Faith

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Looking at some of today’s headlines can be discouraging. As of today, there are over 4 million cases and 156,311 deaths in the U. S alone, due to Covid 19¹; people are literally fighting over wearing face coverings in public; many Americans fear going underwater due to loss of income during the pandemic; government, education and health officials disagree on how to safely and when to reopen schools; there’s growing political divisiveness over the upcoming presidential election; ongoing protests over police brutality toward Black Americans; and more. We are all facing the same challenges. Whether you succeed or fail will be determined by how you manage the foreseen and unforeseen during this time.

Many Americans are experiencing hardship, frustration, depression, and potential failure in their efforts to deal with these challenges. I believe its safe to say a large number have lost confidence in the political, social, economic, and religious systems. We are at a critical crossroads in this nation. Remaining positive in the midst of all of this requires faith. Only a person of faith can maintain a good attitude in the midst of negativity. Only a person of faith can remain calm in the middle of a storm.

We will never know how much faith we have or how strong it is until it is tested.
Dr. Myles Monroe, Rediscovering Faith: Understanding the Nature of Kingdom Living

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus prayed for Simon Peter, that his faith may not fail. Encouraging him that when he turned back, to strengthen his brothers. Why would Peter’s faith fail him after all he had seen and experienced during his time with Jesus. Did Jesus know something Peter didn’t? Jesus knew that Satan was trying to sift Peter as wheat. –Luke 22:31-32

Peter had a life-altering failure. Jesus knew it was going to take place and warned Peter before it happened. Jesus’ warning to Peter occurred just after the Lord’s Supper. He warned Peter that satan had asked permission to “sift” the disciple like wheat. Satan wanted to shake Peter’s faith hard in hopes that he’d fall away from Jesus like chaff.

Satan had asked permission to severely test Peter’s faith. God decided to grant his request. God allows Satan to test people on occasions. Job 1-2 tells us that God allowed Satan to severely test Job. Job lost members of his family, most of his wealth, and he was struck with sickness. God also allowed Satan to afflict the Apostle Paul with an illness that would never go away. –2 Cor. 12:7-9. Paul understood that God’s grace is enough!

Scripture says that neither Job or Paul had sinned. Job’s trial was a test to prove his faithfulness. Paul’s trial was to keep him from pride. And Peter’s trial was also a test of his faithfulness. But he failed the test when he denied Jesus three times. –Luke 22:54-62

Kingdom faith guarantees there is life beyond the test.
Dr. Myles Monroe, Rediscovering Faith: Understanding the Nature of Kingdom Living

Our faith will be tested during times of uncertainty. Our faith will be proven in the midst of challenges. In times of distress, our faith may wane (diminish in intensity) or fail if we are not rooted and ground in the truth of God’s Word.

When Satan sifts believers, his goal is to damage our faith so much that we’re useless to God. He wants us shelved so that we are not effective in the ministry God has given every believer. –Eph. 4:12-13

God allows for the proving and maturing of our faith. But remember, He will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to overcome. — 1 Cor. 10:13 We must however, discern the source of the tests in our lives to live successfully beyond the test. The tests God allows build us up and strengthens our faith, while the tests we bring on ourselves will tear us down.

“If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God! –James 1:12 TPT

I pray that you will be blessed and challenged to grasp the very depths of Christ as to persevere in faith!

With you in Christ,

Dr. A.

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