“Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?” This was a question posed by Del Tackett in The Truth Project, a comprehensive study produced by Focus on the Family years ago. It was not a reference to faith in Jesus the Christ, but a question addressing our belief in Who He was, what He did and what He gave us authority to do.
The real question is, “To what degree do you believe that what you believe is real?” Are you 10% there? 20%? 40%? Are you all-in at 100% as the disciples were when they established the early church? Or is there an issue of unbelief inhibiting you in this world?
Calling the twelve to Him, He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. … They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. – Mark 6:7, 12-13. Jesus gave the disciples authority in this world and they were all-in! “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” – Mark 9:23-24. The disciples had not been successful in casting the demon out of the boy. Now the boy’s dad was pleading with Jesus saying, “…if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” At that point, he wanted to believe but knew he needed help with his unbelief. See to it brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. – Hebrews 3:12. Satan’s goal it is to create a sinful unbelieving heart by keeping a man busy, stirring up relative truths that raise questions around God’s word and creating doubt about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Resultant unbelief will inhibit a Christian’s influence in this world. See to it is a call for the spiritual discipline needed to navigate through this world tuned-in to Jesus the Christ, sensitive to the devil’s schemes and rebuking worldly influence distracting from the knowledge of God (2Corinthians 10:5).
Later in The Truth Project, Del Tackett states, “If you really believed that what you believe is really real, we would turn the world right side up!” I would add, “… just as the early disciples did.” What is the difference between them and us? Chronic unbelief. Tips to recognize the Issue of Unbelief:
- Quantify a ‘spiritual factor’ - add up personal hours spent reading and studying the Bible, reading devotionals, journaling, listening to Christian radio and podcasts, praying and worshiping any given week;
- Quantify a ‘world factor’ - add up personal hours (outside of work hours) spent listening to secular radio, podcasts, news, television programs, or streaming other programs across a week;
- Divide the ‘spiritual factor’ by the ‘world factor’ for your degree of ‘All-In’;
- Commit to overcome unbelief and improve the 'spiritual factor' in your life and home.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your Word and the opportunity to be a disciple. I confess that I am at 10% all-in. I did not realize the degree to which I have been under worldly influence. Forgive me. Grant me discipline to turn my world right side up to 90% all-in. I love You Lord and know You love me. Help me overcome my unbelief. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father overcomes the issue of unbelief in his life and home.
