Faith is an active, fearsome force – not a one time choice or mental assent to a set of facts or cool acknowledgment of future potential. The Scriptures often speak of faith in light of what it brings or does in a positive sense, saying things like “faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (Heb 11:1), or that someone with faith can move mountains (Mark 11:22-24), or that we are “saved by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
But faith isn’t solely a positive force that works for something. It also has things that it works against. It has incredible power to eliminate or kill the things opposed to it. If we are growing in faith as followers of Jesus, that faith will be working to destroy anything opposed to who we are in Christ.
What faith kills
Faith kills pride. Faith is built on the realization that we are unable to solve our own most basic problem – that of our sin and resulting disconnection from God – and therefore humbles the one who has it.
Faith kills worry and anxiety. It takes hold of the goodness and power of God, insisting that it trust even in the darkest or most anxious of times, turning that worry and fear into thanksgiving.
Faith kills laziness. Living faith drives a person to hard work and leaves no space for lazy lounging and self indulgence. It opens eyes to see the grand purpose of God and the role He has created us to play, so amazing that we can’t help but get up, act, and take part.
Faith kills frantic hurry. Faith knows that God has given us the time we need and that it is God who controls circumstances, not us. It is able to be at peace rather than be rushed or frantic when time seems short.
Faith kills sin. Faith knows well the reality that we are bought with a price and are new creations in Christ, so it turns from sin because it knows sin is a set of clothes don’t fit anymore.
Faith kills religious performance. The man or woman of faith has discovered the joy of freedom from the law and is released from any obligation to perform in order to please God. instead they are driven by the love that they have received to keep God’s commands.
There are dozens more things that I could put in this list.
Faith kills slowly
Faith kills, but it’s often not the kind of killing that we would like. When it comes to anxiety or sin or loneliness or pride our wish might be that faith was a sword, simply decapitating the darkness in our lives. Instead it’s more like a seed, planted and growing, slowly overshadowing and choking out the things that are opposed to God’s character. It kills, but it kills slowly. That’s why it’s called “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
Hold fast to your faith. Or, better said, hold fast to the one in whom your faith rests. “We walk by faith, not by sight,” (2 Cor 5:7) following Jesus and, as we do so, becoming more like him day by day.
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