Truth
Doctrine #19: Belief
Doctrine #19
Doctrine #19 Read
I used to think, "If I could end up with a woman all my buddies found beautiful I would be happy". This is what I refer to as "Trophy Wife Syndrome". This condition left me feeling constantly unsatisfied. It spoke to an even deeper belief I held. My confidence in who I was was so low I needed others to validate me. One day a friend of mine showed me a popular 90's tv show episode where the main character shared my issue. With eyes wide, cringing, I turned to my friend and stated, "I am him and he's miserable." Do you appreciate or fight those who help you change your beliefs for the better?
Overview
Belief (and believe) means a person is firmly convinced, both according to logic and feelings/emotions. Belief can be with visible proof or without visible proof. Belief with seeing is built by knowledge and experience. Belief is proven in actions.
Discussion Question
Do you believe your actions are consistent with what you SAY you believe?
Scripture
Romans 10:8-11
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: 9because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame.
8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Commentary
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 6-8
Paul referenced Deuteronomy 30:12-14, however, he gave an interpretation of two parts of the scripture in parentheses in verses 6 and 7. The end of the referenced scripture was the first half of verse 8: "...and in thy heart:" Paul then directly gave his interpretation of the third part: The word that Moses spoke of in the believer's mouth and in the heart (because it came out in actions) was the word of faith Paul was writing about. Why?
Commentary · verse 9
Paul stated that if we allowed the influence from the Holy Spirit through our spirit to come through our hearts (verse 8) when it came out in our actions (verse 9) we would be saved. Again, doing the Law would cause a person to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Commentary · verse 10
Doctrine: Salvation - a choice that resulted in belief in the heart (DO, actions) and confession with the mouth (SAY, words). Notice, the person's DO and SAY would be consistent. This was Paul's premise.
Commentary · verse 11
Paul referenced Isaiah 28:16 and Isaiah 49:23.
Matthew 12:33-35
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
33Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit.
34Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
33Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 33
Causality: "The tree (cause) is known by its fruit (effect)." Throughout this chapter, Jesus demonstrated the Pharisees were contradictory. In this verse, Jesus wanted the Pharisees to state their will and stop being contradictory.
Commentary · verses 34-37
We will be judged according to our works (including words) and will give an account of our lives in the day of judgment. The word "word" in verse 36 was rhema - "the revelatory and powerful word without precedent that brings salvation when it comes from God." Above, we saw when people speak words without precedent, they are attempting to be the source, to be God. Everyone will have to give an account of the words they speak that do not have a precedent. Again, this was the same application in verse 32 relative to speaking a word against the Holy Spirit. For verse 37, if someone speaks a wrong word based on understanding, this was logos. For example, teaching about the Holy Spirit incorrectly because you have interpreted a Bible passage wrong is not rhema. The source was the Bible and you would have erred in your understanding. However, teaching something wrong about the Holy Spirit based not on the Bible, but on something you believe is rhema. This wrong doing will have to be paid for in the day of judgment, unless the person responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and confessed and repented. Jesus' point here was the Pharisees were not confessing and repenting so they would have to pay for this in the day of judgment.
Proverbs 23:7
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
7For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Commentary
The King James Version of Proverbs 23:7 was "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." What you believe in your heart (think and feel) will come out in your actions... your actions can either have the wisdom of God or man's wisdom.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 5-7
What we plant in our heart will come out in our actions: good or bad.
19Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Commentary
Demons have belief because they have seen God. Demons have experience and knowledge in God, but what comes out in their actions is that they shudder.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 19
This could be seen as support, even though it did not reference a scripture.
Doctrine: Belief is being firmly convinced because you have seen. Belief is proven in actions. Faith is belief in something that cannot be seen, and it is also proven in actions. Verse 18 proved that actions were required. Verse 19 was an extreme example of actions being proof of belief. Demons believe there is one God and the proof of their belief is that they shudder. James was stating that if a demon had proof of his belief, what was the proof of the faith of an individual that they believe there is one God?
Doctrine: Demons believe because they have seen. Demons do not have faith because they do not believe unless they see. We can only have faith in God because we cannot see God.
29Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Commentary
In the previous passage we saw that demons believe because they see God, they have experience and so did the disciples. If you do not see, yet believe, it is something greater. In fact, you will be blessed.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 28-29
Jesus said that blessed were those who believed without seeing. This was faith based off of understanding, not experience.
12And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
13And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
12Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Commentary
Belief is something that, when heard, comes into the heart, that can be received with joy, but it can be taken away. You can lose your belief! Have you ever believed that you were going to spend your life married to a significant other, and lost your feelings for that person? Belief is something that can be lost or taken away if it has no root. The demons see and believe, but they are not saved.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 10-15
Verses 10-15: Jesus' interpretation of the Parable of the Sower.
6and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Commentary
You have to believe that God exists in order to please Him. Why would you try to please something that doesn't exist? Why would your belief be founded on Him being a rewarder of them that seek after him?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 1-40
This chapter is often referred to as containing the "Faith Hall of Fame." It started out perfectly by giving God's definition for faith.
Commentary · verse 6
An Application of Faith: Without faith it is impossible to please God. WHY? Those who come to God must believe that God exists (belief in something that is not visible) and that He Rewards those who diligently seek Him (belief in something that has not yet happened). Paul confirmed the definition of faith with this application. Paul continued listing people who were examples of faith to us...
Genesis 15:1-6
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
1After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?
3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4And, behold, the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.
1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Commentary
Abraham did not have a son at that point and God said that his children would be like the stars. Did Abraham see his children? No. Was his wife pregnant? No. He did not have experience with having children, nor did he see his children, yet when Abraham believed, it was called righteousness.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 1
God gave Abram a vision after he saved Lot, tithed, and received communion. God stated He was Abram's "shield" and his "exceeding great reward." Abram greatly benefited from protecting Lot.
Commentary · verses 2-4
Abram's response to God concerning "exceeding great reward" was to ask a question: what could God possibly give him that would matter, seeing that he did not have a son? Abram did not have a son to pass this reward to. However, God stated Abram's heir would come from his "own bowels." Remember, Abram was at least 75 years old (Genesis 12:4) at this time.
Commentary · verse 5
"Stars" represented "Godly Seed."
Commentary · verse 6
Abram's belief was in faith. Faith is "a belief in something that you cannot see, either because it is invisible or it is yet to happen." Abram believed he would have a seed that would be as the stars in quantity, which was something that had not yet happened. Abram's faith in God was counted to him for Righteousness for Salvation. Paul referenced this verse in Romans 4:23. James 2:23 also referenced this verse.
23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.
23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Commentary
This is a commandment that Jesus himself gave. Belief is something that leads to actions. If we believe in Jesus, it will come out in our actions. If we have knowledge of who Jesus really was, we would do as He did: love one another.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 22-23
How do we have confidence toward God? How do we make sure our heart does not condemn us? We keep His commandments. We do those things pleasing in His sight.
God's commandments: Believe in Jesus Christ (First Command) and love one another (Second Command).
Likewise: Righteousness and loving others.
16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Commentary
Belief leads to action and is proven in our actions. Baptism is a physical effect of what someone believes in their heart.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 16-18
These signs "follow" them that believe. The cause is belief. The effects are the signs.
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life.
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Commentary
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. If your actions prove this, you will have eternal life.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 46-51
Jesus reiterated His teaching: Jesus was the bread which God gave so that people would have eternal life. The bread which Jesus gave was His flesh which Jesus gave "for the life of the world."
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; 15that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
18He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Commentary
There were five "believes" in this passage, all of which you have not seen. They were: 1. Believe that Jesus will be lifted up. 2. You would not perish if you believe. 3. Jesus did not come to judge but to save. 4. If you believeth not you have been judged already. 5. And you would be judged if you did not believe in Jesus.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 14-15
John stated that whoever believes (is fully convinced) in Jesus will have eternal life. Your beliefs come out in your actions. A person who believes in Jesus lives by grace through faith.
Commentary · verse 16
Doctrine: God sent Jesus because He loves the world. God offered the world a value (eternal life) without expecting anything in return. God does not make us believe in Jesus.
Commentary · verse 17
Doctrine: Jesus did not come to judge but to save the world. Many Christians can quote and believe in verse 16, yet do not know and do not live by verse 17. What followed was an explanation from John why Jesus did not come to judge...
Commentary · verse 18
Doctrine: Those who do not believe have been judged already. The following verses explained the judgment...
Closing Thoughts
If our belief is a WHAT, what is the HOW/WHY? We found that God cares more about our HOW and WHY more than our WHAT. The demons believe because they see, yet they are not going to have eternal life. Belief can be experience and knowledge, but it is simply a WHAT. The devil uses his belief to kill, steal, and destroy.
Belief has to lead to something more. In the next Doctrine, we will find out what it is
Belief happens in the heart. It is not only logic, nor only emotion, it is both. Everything enters through the heart and comes out of the heart. Belief is a WHAT. It is knowledge.