Recognizing Faith: What Are The Signs Of Belief?

Faith is a complex and deeply personal topic, and it can be challenging to determine whether someone else has faith. However, there are some signs and behaviours that may indicate a person's faith. For example, a person with strong religious faith may regularly attend religious services, pray or meditate, and find comfort in their religious community. They may also have a sense of peace and purpose that comes from their faith, which can be seen in their daily lives through their actions and interactions with others. Additionally, some people with strong faith may openly share their beliefs with others, while others may keep their faith more private. It's important to remember that faith is a personal journey, and everyone's experience is unique.

Do they trust in God's promises?

Trusting in God's promises is a central tenet of Christianity. The Bible is replete with stories of God keeping His promises, from Noah to Abraham, David, Simeon, and the Israelites.

Hebrews 11:1 in the Bible states:

> "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

This verse underscores the importance of having faith in God's promises, even when we cannot see the outcome.

So, how can one know if someone has faith in God's promises?

Firstly, it is essential to understand the nature of God's promises. They are not about us but about Him. Psalm 145:13 says:

> "The Lord is trustworthy in all his promises and faithful in all he does."

Trusting God's promises starts with trusting God for who He says He is. As we grow in our understanding of His character, goodness, and power, we can have faith that He will fulfil His promises.

Secondly, we can look at how an individual responds to God's promises in their daily life. Do they seek to know and understand God's Word? Do they pray and expect answers to their prayers? Do they live by faith, trusting God in difficult times, such as job loss?

For example, if someone loses their job, do they demonstrate faith by believing that God will provide for their needs and thanking Him daily for a new job, even before it materialises? This confidence and trust in God's promises, despite not seeing the outcome, demonstrate faith.

Additionally, we can examine the fruit of an individual's life. Does their life reflect a growing relationship with God and obedience to His Word? Do they demonstrate love for other Christians and maintain a clear conscience?

In conclusion, trusting in God's promises involves both a personal relationship with God, characterised by prayer and obedience, and an understanding that His promises are rooted in His character and power. By examining these aspects, we can discern whether someone has faith in God's promises.

Do they pray expecting an answer?

Prayer is a key component of faith. Praying in expectation of an answer is a demonstration of faith. It is a way to build faith and please God.

The Bible says that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). By reading God's word and listening to testimonies and sermons, we can build our faith. This faith is then expressed through prayer.

In the Bible, Jesus asked two blind men if they believed he could heal them, and when they answered yes, he healed them "according to their faith" (Matthew 9:28-29). This shows that faith is not just a feeling or a state of being, but an action. It is a decision to believe and trust in God's power and goodness, and to act on that belief.

When we pray with expectation, we are demonstrating our trust in God and our belief that He will answer. We are expressing our faith through our words and actions, as Jesus said we would (Luke 17:6).

Furthermore, the Bible tells us that "without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). We must come to God believing that He is real and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. This means having faith that He will answer our prayers and fulfill His promises.

So, when we pray expecting an answer, we are showing that we have faith in God and His power. We are also demonstrating our desire to please Him and our trust in His goodness. This is a key aspect of what it means to have genuine faith.

Do they live by faith?

Faith is a choice to believe what God says is true. It is about accepting God's word and acting upon it. Faith is not a mystery, and one can know if they have faith by examining their words and actions.

Living by faith means to live by the evidence of things not seen. It is about having confidence in God's ways. For example, if you lose your job, having faith means believing that God will help you find a new one. You can begin thanking God every morning for receiving a new job, even though you have not yet seen it. This confidence will show through in your job applications.

To build your faith, you can hear God's word, either by reading the Bible, listening to testimonies from friends, or listening to the word of God in church. You can also pray in the Holy Spirit and build your faith by expecting an answer to your prayers.

The Bible offers a series of tests to examine your faith. These include:

• Do you enjoy fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people?
• Do you walk in the light?
• Do you admit and confess your sins?
• Are you obedient to God's word?
• Do you love God rather than the world?
• Is your life characterized by "doing what is right"?
• Do you seek to maintain a pure life?
• Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life?
• Do you demonstrate love for other Christians?
• Do you "walk the walk" versus just "talking the talk"?
• Do you maintain a clear conscience?
• Do you experience victory in your Christian walk?

Do they seek to obey God's word?

Faith is a decision, based on some evidence, resulting in some action. Faith in God is a choice to believe what God says is true and to accept God's word as evidence worthy of acting upon.

To build your faith, you must hear God's word. The Bible says, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). You can read God's word, listen to other Godly friends' testimonies, or listen to the Word of God in church.

Faith is not silent. We express what we believe by our words and our actions. We know what we believe by what we say and do. So, if someone has faith, they will seek to obey God's word.

Obedience to God's word is one of the signs of genuine saving faith. 1 John was written so that Christians could know that they have eternal life (1 John 5:13). In 1 John 2:3-5, we see that those who know God will obey His commandments. Thus, obedience to God's commandments is a sign of knowing God and, therefore, of having faith.

Jesus Himself said that those who have faith would speak and act accordingly. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said, "if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Similarly, in Luke 17:6, the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."

Therefore, if someone has faith, they will seek to obey God's word. They will express their faith through their words and actions.

Do they demonstrate love for other Christians?

One of the ways to know if someone has faith is to observe if they demonstrate love for other Christians.

The Bible says that "a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). This means that love should be the defining characteristic of a Christian's life.

• Praying for them: The Bible is full of examples of people praying for those they love, such as the church praying for Peter in jail (Acts 12:5), Jesus praying for his disciples (John 17:6-19), and Paul praying for the Ephesian believers (Ephesians 1:15-23).
• Encouraging them: Encouragement can be shown through kind and gentle words, whether in person or in a letter. It can also be shown through actions, such as helping someone out of a difficult situation or rejoicing and mourning with them (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).
• Forgiving them: Jesus eliminated the limit on forgiveness when he said that we should forgive others as God has forgiven us (Matthew 18:21-22). This can be challenging, especially when we have been deeply hurt, but with God's help, it is possible to "promote love" through forgiveness (Proverbs 17:9).
• Serving them: Jesus set the example of humble service (John 13:1-17), and he calls his followers to do the same (Galatians 5:13). This can be done by helping to meet the physical needs of others (1 John 3:17) or by providing transportation or doing chores for them.
• Spending time with them: Showing love doesn't always have to involve grand gestures or expensive gifts. Sometimes, the best way to show love is by simply being present and giving someone your undivided attention.
• Demonstrating hospitality: This can be done by opening up your home to others, providing meals, or inviting them to do life with you and making them feel included, loved, and valued.
• Praying with them: Praying with someone can be a powerful way to show love and support, especially when they are going through a difficult time and may not have the strength to pray on their own.
• Rebuking them when needed: Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is to graciously confront a fellow Christian about their sinful or destructive behaviour (Proverbs 27:6, Matthew 18:15-17). This can help them get back on the right path and strengthen their relationship with God.

By demonstrating these and other acts of love, someone can show their faith and their commitment to following Jesus' command to love one another.

Frequently asked questions