Belief vs. Unbelief

John 3:14-17 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

I read the bible or other books and articles, listen to Compact Disks (CD), watch television presentations or digital video disc (DVD) documentaries in order to learn and understand “truth”, especially concerning faith and life. Are there mixed messages out there?  They cannot be all true, so spiritual discernment, (with the help of the Holy Spirit) is essential in this fallen, sensual, naturalistic world. One devotional that I read rightfully states that we are being exposed repeatedly to the secular humanistic and atheistic belief that God is irrational and unbelief is rational. By the way, “Atheisim”, by definition, is a religion, though a false religion. Webster’s Dictionary defines this type of religion as “any system of faith and worship. In this sense, religion comprehends the belief and worship of pagans; any religion consisting in the belief of a superior power or powers governing the world (man, nature, the universe, some unknown higher  power, et cetera), and in the worship of such power or powers. Is that belief true? The author says, “I would like to expose it for what it really is: a great apostasy; an unmitigated fraud, an unalloyed lie that rises up from the “father of lies”. These “doctrines” will cause some to “depart from the faith” … from the “Truth” of creation and creation’s true Creator.

1 Timothy 4:1-2a “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy.”

 

To believe that God has made us, that there is a purpose for our lives and that we go to be with Him when we die – that is the Christian world-view. This belief leads to meaning in life, and joy, satisfaction, contentment, purpose and peace in life. Yet, having incomplete discernment of God’s holy Word, Will and Way will cause us to fall away from “Truth” and fall into the trap of “seducing spirits”, espousing the “doctrines of devils” in doubt and unbelief. Unbelief leads to hopelessness, lack of meaning and purpose of life, and a fear of death (where will we go when we die?). Unbelief is not sophisticated, but it is devastating. The result of unbelief is grief and pain. Yet, the result of belief in the God of the Bible is contentment, love, joy and peace. Belief in God and His Providence is life-giving and life-sustaining.

 

The Lord Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 

 In this time of great apostasy of unbelief, we desperately need to know the biblical doctrine concerning Satan and his demons, for they are real and their influence has nearly captured the world and our culture. But we must be on our guard against, and teach others to be on guard against, “doctrines of devils.” Life, and having it to the full boils downs to a battle: belief vs. unbelief.

In Christ, Brian