Faith: What’s It Mean?
Faith is key to pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6), yet it is the most misunderstood. People talk about “having faith,” “losing faith,” or “taking a leap of faith,” but the Bible uses the word in specific and meaningful ways. If we want to please God, we must first understand what faith really means according to Scripture. True faith is to trust God.
Two Uses of Faith in the Bible
1. As a Noun: “The Faith”
In Scripture, faith is sometimes used as a noun, referring to the body of truth Christians believe. Jude calls this “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). In this sense, faith is not subjective or personal—it is objective truth revealed by God.
Key doctrines included in “the faith” are:
- The virgin birth of Jesus Christ
- The bodily resurrection of Jesus
- The hope of heaven
- The reality and horror of hell
These teachings define Christianity itself. To reject them is not simply to hold a different opinion, but to depart from Christianity altogether.
2. As a Verb: Trust That Acts
The Bible also uses faith as a verb—something believers actively exercise. Faith is more than believing facts about God. A person can believe something is true and yet live as though it has no effect on their life.
James reminds us that even demons believe in God—and they remain lost (James 2:19). Biblical faith is not a “blind leap of faith.” It is an informed trust based on what God has revealed in His Word.
Faith means trusting what God says, even when visible circumstances seem to contradict His promises.
What Is Faith? A Biblical Definition
Hebrews 11:1 is often quoted as the definition of faith:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
At first glance, this verse can feel unclear. The key word is substance. The Greek word is hypostasis, meaning foundation or that which stands underneath.
Faith rests on a foundation—and that foundation is God Himself.
God is infinite in His being. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere. He is transcendent—above all creation—yet also imminent, near to His people. Faith does not rest on human confidence, positive thinking, or spoken words. The object of faith is God.
It is not a universal force that allows us to create reality out of nothing. That idea belongs to magic and New Age philosophy, not Christianity. Scripture never teaches that faith is something we use; rather, it is trusting the God who speaks.
Biblical faith is trusting God and His Word.
What Faith Does in the Life of a Christian
Faith gives assurance of what God has promised. The “things hoped for” in Hebrews 11 are not wishes—they are guarantees. Faith is like holding the title deed to eternal life.
Faith also provides conviction about realities we cannot yet see, including life after death. Because of faith, Christians live with confidence that death is not the end. For believers, death is a doorway into eternal joy with Christ.
Faith Obeys God
True faith always produces obedience. Hebrews 11 shows men and women who obeyed God when obedience seemed impossible, risky, or inconvenient.
God often calls His people to obey Him:
- When obedience feels costly
- When circumstances seem overwhelming
- When trusting Him requires surrender
Faith is not proven by words alone, but by obedience rooted in trust.
Conclusion: Faith Made Simple
Faith is not a feeling.
It is not a force.
It is not blind optimism.
It is informed trust in God.
It rests on the substance of who God is.
It is revealed through obedience.
It trusts God even when circumstances say otherwise.
That is biblical faith.
This is totally awesome! So happy to see you do this. I shared it already to someone who will benefit greatly from the way you explain and present it.
You always amaze me when you share God’s word. I really appreciate you still to this day. Many blessings prayed for you.