Doubting God’s promises is something even great heroes of the Bible experienced. Today, we’ll look at what Scripture says about overcoming disbelief and growing in faith.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Difficulty
What Does The Bible Say About Disbelief
Hebrews 3:12
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”
This verse warns believers to guard their hearts against disbelief, as it can lead to turning away from God. Disbelief is a sin that hinders our relationship with Him.
1. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of faith and belief in God as the foundation of our relationship with Him. Disbelief, on the other hand, can lead to spiritual drift and separation from His presence.
Mark 16:14
“Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.”
In this Scripture, Jesus reproves His disciples for their lack of faith and disbelief in His resurrection. Their refusal to believe the testimonies of trustworthy witnesses hindered their spiritual growth.
2. Disbelief not only impedes our personal relationship with God but also hinders our ability to accept the truth and the miraculous works of God.
John 20:25
“So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’”
This verse recounts Thomas’ disbelief in the risen Christ and his demand for physical proof. His skepticism demonstrates the human tendency to require tangible evidence before accepting spiritual truths.
3. Disbelief often stems from a desire for tangible proof, yet Jesus calls us to have faith beyond what we can see and touch.
John 20:27-29
Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
In response to Thomas’ disbelief, Jesus provides the evidence he demanded. However, He also reminds us that true blessing comes to those who have faith without physical proof.
4. While Thomas’ doubt is understandable, Jesus encourages believers to have a blessed faith that surpasses what the physical senses can discern.
Matthew 8:26
“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”
Jesus addresses His disciples’ fear during a storm, attributing it to their lack of faith. Their fear and disbelief hindered them from fully trusting in God’s power and protection.
5. Disbelief often leads to fear and anxiety, as it causes us to doubt God’s ability to calm the storms of life.
Matthew 21:21
“Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ”Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and it will be done.”
Jesus teaches that a faith without doubt has incredible power, even to the extent of moving mountains. Doubt and disbelief restrict the potential of our faith.
6. Disbelief limits the extraordinary works God can accomplish through us, as doubt undermines our trust in His limitless power.
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
This verse asserts that God’s existence and divine attributes are evident through His creation. Disbelief, therefore, is without excuse when the evidence of His existence is so apparent.
7. Disbelief in God requires deliberate suppression of the evidence found in His creation, as His handiwork testifies to His existence.
Matthew 14:31
“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?'”
Jesus questions Peter’s doubt when he began to sink while walking on water. Doubt hindered Peter’s ability to experience the supernatural power of God.
8. Disbelief limits our spiritual experiences and prevents us from witnessing the miraculous works of God when we hesitate to step out in faith.
James 1:6
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
James emphasizes the importance of unwavering belief when seeking God’s wisdom and guidance. Doubt causes instability and prevents us from receiving what we ask for.
9. Disbelief leads to wavering faith, making it challenging to receive the answers to our prayers and divine direction.
Acts 27:25
“So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”
In the midst of a storm at sea, Paul maintains his belief in God’s promise, encouraging others to have faith as well. Disbelief hinders our ability to find courage in difficult circumstances.
10. Disbelief robs us of the peace and courage that come from trusting in God’s promises, especially during the storms of life.
Luke 12:28
“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!”
Jesus addresses His disciples’ worries about material needs, linking their lack of trust to their “little faith.” Disbelief hinders our ability to fully trust in God’s provision.
11. Disbelief prevents us from recognizing and trusting in God’s faithfulness and provision, leading to unnecessary worry and anxiety.
Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Paul emphasizes that salvation is not achieved by our own efforts but rather a gift from God, received through faith. Disbelief in God’s saving grace prevents us from experiencing true salvation.
12. Disbelief in God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ robs us of the gift of salvation and eternal life.
Luke 17:5
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’”
The disciples recognize their need for greater faith and ask Jesus to increase it. Disbelief can create a hunger and desire for a stronger faith in God.
13. Disbelief can serve as a catalyst to seek a deeper, more profound faith, as we recognize our need for a stronger relationship with God.
Mark 9:24
“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'”
A desperate father cries out to Jesus to help him overcome his wavering faith. Disbelief can lead to a humble recognition of our need for God’s assistance in building a stronger belief.
14. Disbelief can be a catalyst for seeking God’s help in overcoming doubt and increasing our faith to experience His miraculous power.
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
This verse reinforces the importance of faith in our relationship with God, as it pleases Him and opens the door for His blessings. Disbelief hinders our ability to experience the rewards of seeking Him.
15. Disbelief prevents us from fully engaging with God and receiving the rewards He has for those who earnestly seek Him.
Psalm 78:22
“For they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.”
This verse refers to the Israelites’ disbelief and lack of trust in God’s ability to deliver them from their enemies. Such disbelief hindered their experiences of His miraculous interventions.
16. Disbelief inhibits us from fully trusting in God’s deliverance and experiencing the miraculous victories He has in store for us.
Matthew 13:58
“And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
In Nazareth, Jesus withheld performing miracles due to the people’s lack of faith. Disbelief limits our ability to experience God’s supernatural power and intervention in our lives.
17. Disbelief closes the door to witnessing the full manifestation of God’s miracles and supernatural works.
John 8:24
“I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
Jesus emphasizes the necessity of belief in Him for salvation. Disbelief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior results in spiritual death and separation from God.
18. Disbelief in the divinity of Jesus Christ and His role as our Savior leads to eternal separation from God.
John 3:18
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
This verse reveals that disbelief places people under condemnation, while belief in Jesus releases them from condemnation and grants eternal life.
19. Disbelief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only means of salvation results in condemnation and eternal separation from God.
John 11:40
“Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’”
Jesus encourages Martha to believe before He raises Lazarus from the dead. Belief allows us to witness the glory of God and His miraculous works.
20. Disbelief robs us of the opportunity to witness God’s glory through His miraculous interventions in our lives and the lives of others.
Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This verse highlights the essentiality of belief in Jesus’ resurrection for salvation. Disbelief prevents the experience of the fullness of God’s redeeming grace.
21. Disbelief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ inhibits the experience of salvation and being reconciled with God.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
This verse defines faith as believing in the unseen and having confidence in what is hoped for. Disbelief hinders the ability to have assurance in God’s promises.
22. Disbelief limits our confidence and assurance in the promises of God, preventing us from fully embracing the reality of what we hope for.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Paul reminds believers that our lives are to be governed by faith, rather than being solely reliant on physical evidence. Disbelief causes us to prioritize what we see over what we believe.
23. Disbelief leads to a superficial and limited perspective, hindering us from living a truly faith-filled life.
Isaiah 53:1
“Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”
This verse poses a question about who will believe the message of God’s salvation and witness His mighty works. Disbelief blinds us to the revelation of God’s power.
24. Disbelief prevents us from perceiving the majestic and transformative works of God’s arm, as revealed through His redemptive message.
John 20:31
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John explains that the accounts of Jesus’ life and miracles are recorded to inspire belief and bring individuals into eternal life. Disbelief prevents us from accessing the life-giving power of Jesus’ name.
25. Disbelief hinders our ability to embrace the truth of Jesus as the Messiah and experience the abundant life available in His name.