Is unbelief not believing in God? No.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites couldn’t enter God’s rest because of their unbelief. The third chapter of Hebrews explains the Israelites’ unbelief:

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3:18-19

Unbelief?

Did they believe in God? Yes. They had been miraculously led by God during the exodus from Egypt:

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Exodus 13:21-22

The Devil Believes in God

In his letter, James explains that believing there is a God and believing what God says are two different things. Even the devil believes in God, but that doesn’t mean he is a believer.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

James 2:19

Just like Adam and Eve and so many others throughout the Bible and even today, the Israelites believed in God; they just did not believe God’s word over what was being fed through their body (carnal five senses) and soul (thoughts and emotions).

When Jairus was told that his daughter was dead, what did Jesus say? “Only believe.”

Only Believe

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Mark 5:36

Does “only believe” mean that we can believe and not believe all at the same time?

Yes! It is imperative that we know what God says through studying and meditating on his word and believe him above all else.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:6

Help My Unbelief

In Mark 9, when the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon from a man’s son, the man asked Jesus to have compassion on them. Jesus told the man that all things are possible to him that believes.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 9:23-24

After this happened, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast the demon out.

For a long time, I thought Jesus was saying this kind of demon could only come out with prayer and fasting. I now know he was talking about belief coming forth not a demon going out.

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:29

Prayer and Fasting

Prayer and fasting are powerful tools that we can use to bring our bodies and our souls into submission to what the word says about our spirits! These tools help us to only believe.

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 13:2-3

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Acts 14:23

Don’t Leave!

Hebrews 3:12 tells us that an evil heart of unbelief causes us to depart from God. We see examples throughout the Bible of God coming to fellowship with people, yet we often think that he has left us. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us, and he is faithful!

Faith or Unbelief?

But 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.

Hebrews 11:6

Are you diligently seeking God believing that he wants to reward you? If the answer is no, you are missing out! Who but the deceiver and those yielding to him would want you to miss out on getting to know God better for who he really is?

For so many years I stayed in a state of confusion. I was reading the Bible and finding out all of these wonderful truths about God and his incredible love for us. Then I would hear false doctrine being taught about why God’s word doesn’t really mean what it says!

These people were believing their circumstances (what they could see with their five senses) instead of believing God’s word (faith).

Walk By Faith

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2 Corinthians 5:7

I cannot tell you how many times I have quoted this verse only to believe the doctor’s report, the image in the mirror, my own thoughts, etc. over what God says through his word. Some reasons were because of ignorance, religion, etc. But now I know it was all unbelief.

Be Strong and Fight!

I have to fight unbelief daily. Remember, the Bible does tell us that we are at war and teaches us how to put on our weapons and stand.

The more you get to know who God is and who you are by meditating on his word, the more YouWillWantTo fight unbelief!