Live By Faith, Not By Sight

“For we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises].” 2 Corinthians 5:7 AMP

So often we can forget that we are to “walk by faith” as Christians.  Our senses can be so heightened by all that’s going on around us – Work, family, friends, social media, bills and health.

Whether life is going well or feels difficult, we can feel like we are being tossed to and fro by the winds of change, opinions, problems, feelings and moods.  James 1 says,

“The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 NIV

Have you ever come back from a holiday with “post holiday blues syndrome” or from an awesome mission and you come from a huge high to a disgruntled low?

While this may be a very common thing, we cannot let our feelings or emotions dictate our lives.

Smith Wigglesworth once said,

“I am not moved by what I feel. I am not moved by what I see. I am moved only by what I believe.”

This is more easily said than done when your bank balance is low and bills are waiting to be paid or the doctor’s diagnosis comes back with your worst fear.

We are told in Hebrews 4:12 that the word of God is powerful.

“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 AMP

We read in the Gospels that when Jesus spoke to the storm, it calmed down at His word. When He spoke to sickness, it disappeared.

God’s word in our mouth is powerful! This is why we should speak out scripture and believe it will impact our lives and the situations we are going through.

I have come up against difficulties in my own life and at times, my mind has gone completely blank when it comes to confessing scripture. My emotions have often filled my mind instead of the word of God.

This is not how we are meant to live. We are not to live by our feelings or by what we see, but by what the word of God says…

You feel worried? The word of God for you says…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

You feel depressed? The word of God for you says…

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,  and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.” Isaiah 61:1, 3 NIV

Are you in financial trouble? The word of God for you says…

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38 AMP

Are you sick? The word of God for you says…

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV

Do you feel ugly? The word of God for you says….

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

The Bible is full of verses to direct and help our faith. At times we may not feel or see God’s perspective, but we cannot rely on emotions or natural eyesight. We must believe it, because faith is the currency of heaven – asking and trusting is the only way we can release heaven’s resources into our lives.

This is how God works.

Action Point: Why don’t you read through these scriptures again?  Believe them, confess them and declare them over your life.

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BELIEVE & CONFESS: GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Studying in a small group is one of the great ways to grow in God and a powerful way to grow church unity.

Romans 12 promises that we can be “transformed by the renewing of our minds”. We pray this seven-week course would utterly transform your world, as the power of God’s word hits your heart with creative force. May you never be the same again!  Please Note: This book contains the same content as our original Believe & Confess (landscape) book with additional journal & group discussion pages.

£8 or 10 for £70