Undoing Unbelief
Today’s Verse:
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. ~Hebrews 3:12
Have you ever gotten a knot in your shoestrings? I have had occasions when the knot became extremely tight and difficult to undo. This morning we are looking at a passage that was written to help us undo the sin of unbelief. Unbelief implies doubt, uncertainty, lack of confidence, and being unpersuaded. It simply means non acceptance and non-belief in something. Paul in Hebrews 3 warns us about the danger of unbelief.
There is the CORRUPTION in unbelief.
Unbelief sees things as relative and not absolute. Unbelief results in an evil heart. Unbelief has no fear of God or concern for the future. Unbelief denies the credibility of the Bible being God’s Word, of a judgment to come, and accountability to God. Unbelief leads to atheism and a rejection of God’s influence in one’s life. Unbelief is foolishness because the Bible says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Unbelief does not please God. The believers Paul was writing to were not progressing in their Christian lives due to an evil heart of unbelief. Unbelief affected their relationship with God and their ability to claim His promises.
There is the CALLOUSNESS in unbelief.
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Unbelief results in a hardened heart. A hardened heart turns away the prompting of the Holy Spirit. A hardened heart stubbornly resists the Lord. When we are hardened, we are more prone to being deceived by sin and temptation. We slack off and do not pray except out of necessity. We seek the Lord only when we have an emergency.
There is the CAUTION about unbelief.
Paul said, “Take heed!” Sixty five times the phrase “take heed” is used in the Bible. It is a sobering admonishment to be careful and cautious. It is warning us that there is no road to travel on after the warning ahead. It is red flashing lights telling us a train is approaching and we had better not cross the tracks. Be careful of living carelessly and allowing an evil heart of unbelief to overcome you. Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief.
There is the CORRECTION to unbelief.
First, let us exhort one another daily against falling into unbelief. The best thing we can do for each other is to encourage faith in the Lord. Second, hold fast to the things you have been taught and instructed. Don’t allow circumstances, opinions of others, or someone else’s failed choices change you from faith to unbelief. Third, keep pursuing your inheritance in Christ. We have much ground to cover in the Christian life. Don’t get your eyes off the goal; keep them on finishing the race.
There is the COURAGE against unbelief.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Do away with the incorrect thinking that God does not care about you or God is not able to perform. Come boldly to the throne of grace and discover God’s faithfulness for you in your time of need!
Is there an evil heart of unbelief that has corrupted your life and practices? Undo the unbelief by listening for the Lord’s voice and obeying what He says.
Have a faith-filled God Morning!