Taking Our Stand Against Unbelief

January 18, 2025 by M. Stephanie Zeller

“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24, ESV)

Many a Christian has experienced this cry of a father, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.” In Mark’s gospel, we see a father who is desperate for his son’s deliverance and healing, who understands that his faith has a role in that healing and who lacks confidence that his faith is sufficient. Faith and unbelief often take residence in each of us. Peter had sufficient faith to respond to Jesus and walk on water. He also began to sink as the presence of wind and waves captured his attention and doubt became dominant.

Faith in God is a precious treasure and this treasure can be diluted if we allow unbelief to fester in our hearts. Unbelief is the antithesis of faith, and we must reject it if we desire to please God. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

Faith pleases God because He desires to be in relationship with each of us. He came to earth as Jesus so that we could know Him and have right standing with Him. God loves us so deeply. “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:4-6, NLT) Doubt and unbelief are roadblocks that hinder our capacity to receive God’s love and return that love to Him.

In warfare, a good soldier will defend his territory at all cost. He will take a stand against invading forces so that his homeland and loved ones are protected. Likewise, each Christian must guard the territory of his heart. When Lucifer schemed to plant seeds of distrust in the hearts of Adam and Eve, they had the option of ignoring his bait. Likewise, we have the option of giving no place to troubling assertions that are contrary to our faith. We protect the territory of our hearts by erecting boundaries. That means saying “no” to ideas and concepts that conflict with the nature of God. We can know God’s nature because it is revealed in the Word of God and through the life and ministry of Jesus. “He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15, ESV) “Anyone who has seen [Jesus] has seen the Father.” (John 14:9, REB)

In law, the Rules of Professional Conduct require each lawyer to zealously assert his client's position. Moreover, lawyers are ethically required to be well prepared and knowledgeable in the areas of law relevant to their client's case. We should do no less as we accept the responsibility of tending the seed of faith planted in our hearts. If we want to build our faith in any area, we must immerse ourselves in the teachings of those who are further in this journey than ourselves. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40, ESV). Scripture, studied with a view toward believing what it says, is our best teacher. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)

In sports, the fainthearted do not win the prize. It takes true grit to be diligent on a day by day and month by month basis to train and build one’s skill. Likewise, the transforming of our minds is a day by day and month by month process. “Therefore, my friends, I implore you by God’s mercy to offer your very selves to Him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for His acceptance, the worship offered by mind and heart. Conform no longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds. Then you will be able to discern the will of God, and to know what is good, acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2, REB)

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Where scripture translations neglect to capitalize pronoun references to God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, we have taken the liberty to do so.