Defective Faith: Understanding and Strengthening Our Spiritual Foundation

In our journey of faith, we must remain vigilant against flawed beliefs that can undermine our relationship with Christ and compromise our spiritual foundation.

The Foundation of True Faith

It is important to not just start right but continue to strengthen our relationship with Christ, for like any structure with incomplete or faulty foundations this requires urgent attention to remedy the situation before a collapse occurs. Christ must always be the centre of our lives with love for God being our priority (Mk 12:30).

Apollos, a New Testament believer had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and spoke accurately about Christ, but did not have the full story. A godly couple befriended him and "explained to him the way of God more adequately" (Act 18:24-26). Subsequently, he was used mightily in the work of the Lord (Act 18:27-28). Paul said, he "did not hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God" (Act 20:27).

Urgent attention required!

We must be continually growing in our relationship with God and receptive of new insights, yet these must be firmly grounded in the Bible and not distorted by wrong emphasis and motivation (Act 17:11). Deception and false teaching arises when people embrace ideas that are not supported by Scripture. Yet similarly our faith will be flawed or lacking if we don't live by what the Bible clearly states.

It is important to know and outwork in our lives what the Bible teaches and actively pursue a deeper walk with the Lord (Jas 1:22).

Testing the Depth of Our Faith

What is my response when my faith is tested, by the serious issues and storms that life brings? It will be proved either deep and genuine or shallow by not being able to withstand the pressure, resulting in devastating consequences (Mt 7:24-27). Jesus spoke of plants withering away because they had no root to sustain them in the heat of the day (Mk 4:6).

Will my faith hold?

What measures am I taking to strengthen my faith? Am I looking out for other members in the body of Christ who are struggling? Even though we may seldom live up to the Biblical ideals, be open to God allowing the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit or other believers to speak into the areas of deficiency we all have.

Building Spiritual Resilience

True spiritual resilience comes from consistently applying biblical principles to our daily lives and maintaining a vibrant, growing relationship with God. This requires intentional effort in prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. When we build our lives upon the solid rock of Christ's teachings, we develop the strength to withstand life's challenges while continuing to grow in grace and truth.

Reflection and Application:

How can I ensure my faith remains grounded in Scripture rather than cultural influences or personal preferences?
What specific steps am I taking to deepen my relationship with Christ on a daily basis?
How do I respond when my faith is tested by difficult circumstances or challenging questions?
In what ways can I support others who may be struggling with their faith journey?